5 Easy And Adorable Ways To Organize Your Cords

We could all use a stylish way to keep your cords from getting all tangled in your bag.

Everyone knows that tangled up power cords and cables are seriously obnoxious. Here are five pretty ways to solve that problem.

1.

Kim from This Is Knockout created this simple but effective system for headphone cables.

What you’ll need: two wooden clothes pegs, all-purpose glue, washi tape in colours or patterns of your choice, and your headphones.

Step 1: Get your pegs right.

First, you need to check the pegs are the right size for your headphones. Open one of the pegs and clamp around the wire just below the jack plug of your headphones. If the jack plug doesn’t fall through the end, you’ve got a winner. If it does, you’ll need to get some slightly smaller pegs.

Step 2: Start taping.

This will add a bit of colour and fun to your cable tidy. Apply washi tape down one side of each of the pegs. Pick your favourite colors or patterns; the one shown uses black and white dots, but you could try neons or pastels which would look great against the light wood.

Step 3: Glue it together.

Once you’re all washi taped up, use the all purpose glue to sandwich the non-decorated sides together. The pegs will need to top-and-tail each other as shown, so you can wind your headphones around it properly.

Step 4: You’re pretty much there, you just need to add your headphones.

Start by putting the jack plug into the end of one of the pegs, then wrapping the cable round and round your new creation. Once you run out of cable, open the other peg and secure around the wire under the earbuds.

Ready to go.

You now have a super-simple and cute cable tidy.

2.

The next three projects were created by Mette from Monster Circus. First up, this leather bow cord organizer.

The materials: a pair of scissors, a belt hole puncher, double-sided stud, fabric glue, and a scrap of leather.

Step 1: Start by cutting two pieces of leather.

One strap and one square, as in the photo.

Step 2: Apply glue along the two opposite edges.

Fold the square on the middle and press the piece together to adhere.

Step 3: Fold the strap and punch a hole.

Use your belt hole punch to punch the hole.

Step 4: Cut a small slit in the hole with your scissor.

Step 5: Insert the stud through the holes in your strap.

Step 6: Place your cord in the "pocket".

Wrap the strap around the pocket.

That's it!. You've made a neat little case for your cables.

3.

Collect your supplies: a pair of scissors, fabric glue, two key rings, and a scrap of leather.

Step 1: Cut a leather cord and two identical pieces, as shown in the photo.

Step 2: Add glue along the edges.

Do not apply glue in the middle of the top; that's where the cord goes. Place the two layers on top of each other.

Step 3: Tie the cord by folding one piece in half, then threading it through the key ring.

Loop through and pull tight.

Step 4: Pull the cord through the top of the leather pouch.

Tie the second key ring on at the other end of the cord.

Put your cord in the key ring. Pull it through the pouch, and you're done!

4.

What you'll need: a pair of scissors, fabric glue, a piece of bonzai wire, pliers, and a scrap of leather.

Step 1: Start by cutting two identical arrows with your scissors.

Cut a piece of wire the same length as the arrows.

Step 2: Apply glue to the underside of the leather.

Step 3: Place the wire between the two leather pieces.

Press the layers together.

Just twist the arrow around your cord and you're done!

5.

These little tins were created by DIana at Unusually Lovely. Gather up supplies. To make both containers, you’ll need an empty and cleaned Altoid tin, white paint, Mod Podge, a foam brush, washi tape, fabric (one piece cut two inches wider than tin and one piece that fits inside tin lid), and an exacto knife.

Step 1: For the fabric-covered tin, remove lid and apply Mod Podge.

Glue fabric to the top and sides, letting each part dry in-between. To hold sides in place, apply liberal amounts of glue to underside of the lid, pull fabric tight, and hold in place with upside down tin. Corners don’t have to be perfect!

Step 2: Glue fabric and felt to the inside of the lid.

This neatens the inside a bit. To reattach the lid to the tin, use your exacto knife to cut slit in fabric where hinges go. And you’re done!

For the washi tape tin version, prime with white paint and cover sides with one long piece of tape. Trim excess so you have a small amount to fold over onto the top.

Mod Podge the entire lid. I used 3-4 coats and don’t forget the sides. To reattach the lid, use exacto knife to cut out the hole where the hinges go.

And now you have two different cord-keepers! Normal-sized Altoid tins are great for an iPhone cord or phone charger while the Altoid Small tins are the perfect size for headphones!

Pippa Armbrester is a quilt designer. Follow her adventures in quilting and in life on her website.