From buying a kit from a pop up electronics shop, I got to learn of the wonders of electronic clothing.
There are components, many made by Adafruit, that are specifically meant to be sewn into clothing. With conductive thread, you can connect the components through the fabric, and create an actual circuit that actually does something cool.
I wanted to try this out, so I decided to start small.
I had LED sequins. They're just like a regular LED (you put power through it), except its flatter and each end has a conductive hole on it.
So with a fleece glove, 2 blue sequin LEDs, an button cell battery holder and a bunch of conductive thread, I made a glove that lights up when you make a fist!
Tapewolf: Incidentally, I can't get over the idea that this is some demonic shadow puppet. Mr Flibble is very angry.
It's pretty straighforward. A button cell battery provides the power. Conductive thread connects the battery to the LED sequins in parallel, and on the other side of the LEDs, they are connected by thread to the tip of my middle finger. More thread connects the other end of the battery to my palm.
When I make a fist, the circuit is closed when my middle finger and palm make contact, and the lights go on.
Not bad, something fun when you're out walking at night!
My next project with sewn LED squins would be far more ambitions my LED Game Hoodie!