What is it?:

A personalized protective cover for your iPod.

Usefulness factor:

This cozy will keep your iPod safe, while providing a creative alternative to spending $20 or more on a case made specifically for iPods.

Items needed:

• A small rectangle of fabric, preferably softer and thicker than plain cotton. Corduroy works really well.

• A needle and thread.

• A button.

• Optional: Small flowers, iron-on letters or images, or more buttons to add a personal touch.

• Also optional: Wool or blanket-type fabric to use as lining for extra protection.

Get started:

1. Cut up an old blanket, shirt, sweater or find some fabric in the bargain bin at a fabric store.

2. Cut out a long, rectangular shape by measuring the length and width of your iPod. The material should be double the length of the iPod, plus extra material for a flap that will fold over to secure the iPod.

3. Fold the fabric over so the front of the fabric faces in, you should be sewing on the back, leaving some room at the top. Begin sewing with small stitches along the ends up until the bottom of the flap.

4. Sew the button on where you want the flap to close and cut a small horizontal line into the flap for the button.

5. Put your iPod in the cozy and figure out where the hole for your headphones should go. Poke the hole with the pointy end of a pair of scissors.

Total cost:

Using found fabric, an extra button from a new sweater and other items you might have around makes this craft completely free.

Even if you need to buy fabric, a needle and thread, the cozy shouldn't cost more than $3.

Challenge level:

On a scale of one to five, with five being the Martha Stewart Challenge, this is a three because of the sewing requirement. Although the sewing doesn't require any skill, you must know how to use a needle and thread.

Our thoughts:

An iPod cozy is the perfect way to carry your precious music machine around campus and this inexpensive, easy-to-make personalized cozy is much better than any store-bought one.