Ever since I first ran into mentions the lilypad arduino board and conductive thread on some blogs I was reading, I’ve been super excited to try it out. There’s something about thread with electricity running through it — or FABRIC even — that is really exciting.
So, I finally got my hands on some conductive thread and a few LEDs to make what seems to be the unofficial hello world of soft circuits, the LED wrist cuff. It was a super fun little project, and honestly pretty darn easy. The hardest part was all the hand sewing needed to complete my design, but that was my own fault.
What I made was very similar to this instructables project. I used a metal snap for the switch, and made my own battery holder because those plastic ones are just too darn big to put in a wrist cuff. The battery holder was based off this pattern.
Not exactly pretty, but it works…
Testing the switch for the first time. More photos in this flickr set.
It’s a really simple project, but I learned a lot putting it together. A few tips worth sharing:
- The 2ply conductive thread is MUCH easier to work with than the 4ply and it runs through a sewing machine just fine as the bobbin thread. You can always double up the thread if you do need something thicker.
- Felt doesn’t make for the best battery holder, but it will do. Next time I’m using something with some stretch.
- EMF offers a handy sample set for pretty cheap if you’re looking to try out conductive fabric. Much cheaper than buying a whole yard of any of it.
Sewing LEDs is pretty darn fun, but I’m super excited to start playing with the lilypad for my next project. Also, I owe Jon and Susan of hackPGH a big thanks for hooking me up with some of their leftover supplies and advice!
