Sewing LEDs

After finding sewing a circuit in class was not majorly difficult(just making sure not to cross threads because there was not the kind of insulation I was used to with normal wires), I decided to test out the Lilypad Arduino to see if I could incorporate it my sewing circuit project. First I started with some simple fade sketches and then tinkered with the variables within the code to see what is looked like with multiple LEDs. Feeling comfortable I then turned my attention to the Lilypad LEDs I got from the Thingspace. The LEDs recive a data signal telling which RGB combination to send power to(and how much power). Also the lights are meant to be strung together and the code has a number to change for how many lights are included in the circuit. This is quite nifty, but it requires a positive, ground, data in and data out connections.

I had an idea of using many LEDs to create a moving effect, like a sign for a business or something like that but after stringing up some circuits I new how much thread I would have to use and I did not know how fast progress would go and what kind of troubleshooting I would encounter.

I then moved on to selecting the piece of clothing I would be sewing up. I ended up deciding on a messenger bag I had won at the end-of-year raffle at the school last year. It is a fine bag, but I have another one I like more so it has never been used...perfect!

I decided to attach the LEDs to the outside of the bag, because I could put the battery pack on the inside pocket and still use the rest of the bag without disrupting things too much. It took just one attempt at putting the needle through the nylon fabric before I realized I had made things tough for myself.... The fabric was so dense and it was almost impossible to shove the needle through. It was not 100% impossible and after stabbing myself once in the thumb I found a method using tape to increase my grip on the needle. It was still quite difficult, though.

I fumbled through sewing the LEDs and then using regular thread I secured the Lilypad to the inside of the bag and found that I was running quite low on thread! I really underestimated the amount that I would need. I had just enough to finish the circuit and reenforce some connections.

I tested it out a few times and it seemed to work with ~80% reliability. This was mostly because I should have made a few more stitches to make the thread less floppy. I may experiment with some tape to keep the threads in place.

Here is the finished product!