RGB Fast Flash LEDs

One of the things that has been suggested in response to some of the e-textile projects I've been working on recently is the addition of flashing lights. LEDs that have built in flashing ability are the easiest way to achieve this result. Years ago a capacitor and other components would need to be added to build a circuit which makes the LED flash, however with improvements in LED technology not only are we seeing different colours, but also these little all in one flashing LEDs which just need to be connected to a battery and off they go. That means our circuit can be simple and less bulky while achieving almost the same result - the difference is we have no control over the speed as it is inbuilt into the LED.

My camera doesn't like taking a video in the dark and had trouble focusing, but hopefully this gives you a great idea of the colours and speed. I had another cool electronic gadget to show you but my camera batteries died between taking the video and getting it to the computer so that will have to wait until batteries are recharged.

Rudolph has a Red Nose

I have this little guy all ready for Christmas. I created my own plush pattern from a mash up of a couple of different patterns I found online - simplified, added hooves, made up the ears... all sorts of changes that make it uniquely my own and I had a lot of fun doing it.

The head is version three. I had lots of issues getting the proportions right, but thankfully I only had to do those antlers once as they required a lot of patience to turn them right way around. I was really happy that the body looked so great first time.

Of course, nothing is complete lately without at least one LED light, so little Rudolph's nose really lights up red when you turn on a switch hidden underneath his collar.

Jack-o-Lantern Completed!

Isn't it cute! I think I am addicted to LEDs. I was so excited to put the LEDs into this project that I finished it in 2 days. Conductive thread is a really cool thing to work with. It is just like a normal heavy cotton, like an embroidery thread, and yet once you have hooked everything together correctly it does amazing things like run these two LEDs.

The eye shape was designed just so there would be a little orange area to mount the LEDs on. I really like this project... I think I like this more than the robot project, though that was pretty cool too.

The circuit for these little 6" projects is quite simple so if you are new to electronics and want to have a play with conductive thread one of these little projects would be perfect for you. It would also be great as a holiday project for the kids. I think the instructions I've written out are fairly clear, but you could always leave me a comment or send me an email if you get stuck with it.

What else can I put LEDs into?... I really do think I'm addicted!!

Electrotextile Robot

Remember back to these humble beginnings? I ran into several snags along the way with this project but it is finally finished. Firstly, I managed to completely lose the prototype. Yep, it's gone! I turned my sewing room upside down looking for it, then the rest of the house and even the shed was thoroughly searched, but either I didn't do a good enough search job or I took this somewhere and it didn't come home.

The second snag was in the making itself. I put together a little robot design to use three LEDs and then stitched it together with conductive thread - it didn't work. So I had to research all my basic electronics knowledge and relearn how to hook up multiple LEDs. Two days later, after cutting away all my conductive thread and soldered the pieces together multiple times I finally had it working. This was not without issues as well... and melting the plastic around the battery holder a little, some swearing, and lots of resoldering!

After finally getting it right and drawing up a circuit diagram for the pattern I stitched it up in conductive thread. The conductive thread is really great to work with. It is thicker than standard cotton thread, more like a stiff embroidery thread, so I had hardly any tangles. It also made the circuit come together a lot quicker than my experiences in soldering it. I tried to be very thorough in the pattern instructions so that if you have no experience in electronics but still want to give this a go it should be beginner friendly!

Long story short: The robot is finally complete and the result is very cute!!


For the next week you can get 10% off on the pattern and/or kit by using the coupon code GOGOROBOTLED

Suggestions for new designs welcome. Head over to the Happy Bobbin blog for the chance to win a 50% off coupon for your suggestion!

Electronics and... Sewing?

What on earth has this got to do with sewing?? Well now that my basic circuit is working and I know how to put the batteries into those neat little battery holders I am going to start working on an electro-textiles project.

Electro-textiles started with wearable computers and surface mounted displays and has evolved into conductive threads and yarns which can enable you to build an electronic circuit in your textile garment or object. To me, conductive thread just sounds fascinating and I knew when I discovered it about a year ago that it was something I wanted to play with at some stage.

I've finally got myself some conductive thread which I am going to use to sew a circuit into an art piece to enable LED lights to light up when the switch is turned on. I decided to build a switch into my project to make it more convenient than having to remove the battery from the holder each time you want to turn the LEDs off.

There are a number of applications where electro-textiles are being used today. Many costumers are beginning to use LEDs in their projects, but on a more practical level people in colder climates are using conductive thread sewn into the fingertips of their gloves in order to use touch screens on computers and mobile phones while staying warm.

Well I am off to continue on with my project. I need to finish the base before I can start sewing in my LEDs and I am eager to see this one finished!!

Have you had a play with electro-textiles? Or can you think of some nifty applications for this emerging technology?