Cool Projects
Links and cool projects for various things (mainly eTextiles)
Rudolph the Reindeer Christmas decoration with push switch on/off
This resource describes how to make a Rudolph christmas decoration using a PCB LED that sits under the fabric and lights up when you hold the switch hidden in his cheek.
The decoration is made out of felt fabric and is lightly stuffed to give a 3D effect. It uses embroidery stitches to decorate the surface and to join the edges.
The cell holder can be easily accessed via a hole in the chin area, held closed by a small popper. As the decoration is made from scratch, it does require some knowledge of basic textiles skills as well as a basic understanding of how to create a circuit.
Be My Valentine
This resource describes how to make two hearts which light up when placed next to each other. Each heart has a magnet switch and magnet hidden along the side edges and once they are lined up with each other, a circuit is created.
A miniature cell holder is used along with a PCB LED that glows through the fabric. The cell holder can be accessed in order to change the battery via a small gap in the stitches on one of the sides of the heart.
Be Seen Be Safe
This resource describes how to make a safety armband or beltband.The projects use a basic e-textiles circuit, but a popper has been added into the circuit to create a switch. When the popper is open the circuit is broken and the LED will not light up. When the popper is closed the circuit is functional and the LED lights up.
High Tech Textiles Project
This resource provides several textiles projects which use high tech materials and electronics.
Cool Britannia: How to make an insulated lunch box to keep food hot or cold.
Wash time fun: Create oilcloth fabric from any material using a high tech clear coating called lamifix. This is useful for making wash bags and make up bags, or any wipable product
Safety in the sun: A child’s baseball cap incorporating solar reactive threads and beads
Stargazing: Create a child’s moon and stars cushion using phosphorescent dye and reflective tape.
Fun with electronics: Using LED bulbs and specialist metal thread, this project uses up scrap fabrics to create a light up door hanger and booklight.
Socky reading light: How to make a basic electronic circuit using a cell holder, LED light and conductive thread.
Designing and Making with Textiles at Lower Key Stage Two: Designing a Printed Cushion Cover
One of the trial units from the Nuffield Primary Solutions in Design and Technology. In this unit, children design and make a small printed cushion cover.
The purpose of this activity is to explore the decorative use of lettering and pattern when
applied to fabric, and also to produce a useful item for the home.
Julie Boyd's website
Some eTextiles projects and information!
Tutorials and resources
eTextiles tutorials and resources from the kitronik website.
Lilypad
Where to buy Lilypad bits (eTextiles).
eTextiles kits
Kits and other useful bits and bobs from the kitronik website.
Mindsets website
Another place to buy eTextiles things from.
Lilypad Arduino
For anything Lilypad, projects, information, the lot!
Sew Electric
Projects for eTextiles from the sewelectric website.
Lilypad Monsters
Project ideas page for Lilypad.
Lilypad Development Board
Link to SparkFun's product page for the development board.
Aduino
Arduino homepage, has info and projects on it.
High Low Tech
A blog with ideas and tutorials for Lilypad.
Where to buy Lilypad
SparkFun's Lilypad page.
Beginning Lilypad
Lilypad beginners guide and tutorials.
Make Your Own Lava Lamp
This Catalyst article describes how to make a lava lamp by using three simple ingredients: vegetable oil, food colouring and fizzing tablets. The article also explains the processes taking place inside a real lava lamp and why they happen.
