5. E-textiles¶
I never thought I’d be working with electronics¶
Coming from a business background and being a fashion girlie, it’s not exactly what I pictured for myself. But here I am, a week later, leaning into this fascinating world!
Claudia introduced us to how electronics work, how they can be integrated into fashion, and how we can create something unique and alive. It was a whole new language for me, so I’m breaking it down as I understood it:
Power Source: A battery to fuel everything.
Light: The fun part—in our case, an LED or NeoPixel. PS: We’ll discover more possibilities during wearables week!
Switch: To control the flow of power. It could be digital or analog.
Resistor: A superhero keeping our circuit from overheating (and burning the LEDs!).
In electronics, a circuit is a complete circular path that electricity flows through. A simple circuit consists of a current source, conductors, and a load. The term circuit can be used in a general sense to refer to any fixed path that electricity, data, or a signal can travel through.
— TechTarget
I started with the most basic circuit ever—just connecting the positive and negative of the light to the corresponding sides of the battery.
Getting Hands-On with Arduino¶
What is Arduino?¶
Arduino is a simple, open-source platform used to create electronic projects. It includes a programmable board microcontroller and software Arduino IDE to write and upload code. People use Arduino for projects like controlling lights, sensors, and motors.
Arduino Uno¶
The Arduino Uno is a beginner-friendly board. It has 14 digital pins, 6 analog pins, and a USB connection. It’s great for learning and building small electronics projects.
How to Install and Use the Arduino IDE
1. Go to the official Arduino website.
2. Download the version compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Install the software by following the on-screen instructions.
4. Once installed, open the Arduino IDE.
Uploading Code to Arduino Uno
1. Connect your Arduino Uno to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open the Arduino IDE.
3. Write or open a sketch (a program) in the IDE. For example, use the built-in example "Blink":
Go to File > Examples > 01.Basics > Blink.
4. Select the correct board and port:
Go to Tools > Board > Arduino Uno.
Go to Tools > Port and select the port with "Arduino Uno."
5. Click the upload button (a right-arrow icon). The IDE will compile and upload the code to your board.
6. Once uploaded, your Arduino will run the program, such as blinking an LED.
We played with the Arduino UNO, and the first thing we learned was how to make its tiny built-in LED blink.
void setup() {
// Initialize the LED pin as an output
pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH); // Turn the LED on
delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW); // Turn the LED off
delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
}
After that, we used a breadboard so we can udnerstand how we should connect the circut and integrate the elements.
Circuts has two types, paraller and series.
parallel circuit, components are connected across multiple paths, so the current can flow through each independently. If one path fails, the other paths remain functional. The voltage across each component is the same.
Series Circuits In a series circuit, components are connected end-to-end in a single path. The same current flows through all components, but the voltage divides among them. If one component fails, the entire circuit stops working.
We also were introduced to the velostat! the velostat is a fabric resistor! which we will use when whe embede our circut into the fabric
We also explored the types of switches!
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Digital switches: They are like a regular light switch—just on or off, nothing in between.
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Analog switches: They are like a dimmer switch—you can adjust them to any level, not just fully on or off.
Then we leveled up:
working with NeoPixels, which are RGB LEDs that can create all kinds of colors and effects.
To use NeoPixels, we had to install a special library in the Arduino software.
Install the Adafruit NeoPixel Library
1. Open the Arduino IDE.
2. Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries.
3. In the Library Manager, search for Adafruit NeoPixel.
4. Select the library and click Install.
After that, it was coding time! I decided to try and make the NeoPixels glow blue—simple, but super satisfying.
#include
#define NUM_PIXELS 7
#define NEOPIXEL_PIN 6
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip(NUM_PIXELS, NEOPIXEL_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
void setup() {
strip.begin(); // Initialize the NeoPixel strip
strip.show(); // Turn off all pixels initially
}
void loop() {
strip.fill(strip.Color(255, 0, 0)); // All pixels red
strip.show();
delay(1000); // Wait 1 second
strip.fill(strip.Color(0, 255, 0)); // All pixels green
strip.show();
delay(1000); // Wait 1 second
strip.fill(strip.Color(0, 0, 255)); // All pixels blue
strip.show();
delay(1000); // Wait 1 second
}
Bringing Textiles to Life¶
The big challenge was combining circuits with textiles to create something alive.
We used conductive thread to replace wires, which meant stitching circuits into fabric. Smaller, stitch-friendly microcontrollers like the Gemma MO were perfect for this.
The GGemma MO is a tiny, powerful microcontroller board designed for wearables and small projects. It’s based on the ATSAMD21 microcontroller and supports CircuitPython and Arduino. You can use the Arduino IDE with the Gemma M0 by downloading its specific library. With a small size and USB connection, it’s perfect for creating interactive, portable designs like light-up clothing or compact devices. Despite its size, it’s powerful enough for creative and fun projects.
How to Set Up the Gemma M0 with Arduino IDE
1. Open the Arduino IDE.
2. Go to File > Preferences.
3. In the "Additional Boards Manager URLs" field, add the Adafruit board manager link:
https://adafruit.github.io/arduino-board-index/package_adafruit_index.json.
4. Click OK to save.
5. Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager.
6. Search for "Adafruit SAMD Boards" and click Install.
7. Once installed, select "Adafruit Gemma M0" under Tools > Board.
8. Connect your Gemma M0 to the computer using a USB cable.
9. Write or open a sketch in the Arduino IDE and click the upload button to load your program onto the Gemma M0.
We also integrated velostat as a resistor—it’s flexible and works great for wearable designs. It’s wild to think about how much I’ve learned in just one week. Electronics in fashion felt impossible at first, but now I can’t wait to experiment more with lights, movement, and maybe even sound.
My first experiment with creating a textile circuit was an attempt to combine both analog and digital sensors into one circuit. The idea was to explore and understand the dynamics of e-textiles—because, to be honest, I had no idea what we were doing at first!
I created a one-line circuit using stitched conductive thread. I stitched one thread on the plus (+) side of the LED and another on the minus (-) side, ensuring they didn’t overlap or short.
To hide the circuit and keep it visually appealing, I used a wide running stitch for the plus side and stitched the minus side in the gaps of the plus. This kept the design clean and functional.
Finally, I crafted a copper-padded pocket for the battery, allowing it to sit securely and connect neatly with the circuit. The result was both practical and aesthetically pleasing!
Merry Go Round!¶
In the first part of this assignment, I explored the basics of electronics. It’s time to integrate that knowledge into a creative project!
Electronics seem magical—glowing fabric, interactive designs, and dynamic storytelling. Speaking of magic, you what’s also magical? Howl’s Moving Castle!! Animated by the one and only Hayao Miyazaki, this masterpiece has always been my warm hug, a flame of light during dim times.
Inspired by this cinematic masterpiece, my project recreates the iconic scene where Howl swallows the shooting star, Calcifer. This is my attempt to merge the magic of Miyazaki with the wonder of electronic fabrication, bringing a beloved story to life through etextiles.
Context¶
If you don’t know this magical movie, here’s the context: Howl’s Moving Castle tells the story of Howl, a charming but cursed wizard who His life changes forever when he makes a pact with a falling star, Calcifer, who becomes the fiery heart of the castle—and Howl’s. binding their fates together. If Howl dies, Calcifer dies, and vice versa. Howl is notorious for "eating women’s hearts"—a metaphor for his playboy ways.
Enter Sophie, a simple self-conscious hat maker cursed by the Witch of the Waste to live as an old woman. Sophie seeks the help of Howl, Along the way, she encounters Howl’s magical castle and begins working there as a cleaning lady. Inside the castle, Sophie meets Calcifer, the fire demon, and Markl, Howl’s young apprentice.
As Sophie and Howl spend time together, Sophie’s courage and inner beauty start to break down Howl’s walls. At the same time, Sophie’s curse begins to loosen, showing that her appearance is tied to her self-perception.
In the end, Sophie’s love and determination free both Howl and Calcifer from their curses. and together, they embark on a journey of love, courage, and self-discovery. Sophie helps Howl regain his heart, while Howl helps Sophie embrace her true self.
In the end, they break each other’s curses and find a love that heals them both—Howl regains his heart, and Sophie, her youth, and set calcifer free!
It’s a heartwarming tale of growth, redemption, and the magic of believing in oneself.
The Design¶
I kept the design simple yet meaningful, using Adobe Illustrator to bring elements of the movie to life:
- The Star and Its Illuminations: Representing the moment Howl swallowed Calcifer.
- Sophie’s Hat: Symbolizing her character and her transformative influence on Howl.
- Various Enchanting Elements: Adding a magical touch to the overall design.
The design consists of two layers
- Top Layer: Displays the visual elements of the design.
- Bottom Layer: Houses the electronics for illumination, seamlessly integrating technology with storytelling.
Fabric Choice
For the garment, I chose petroleum green velvet:
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Its rich, enchanting color reflects Howl’s charm and mystery.
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Velvet adds a luxurious and magical feel, perfectly aligned with the movie’s theme.
Laser Cutting¶
My first attempt at fabricating the design involved engraving, but it didn’t quite work out as expected. Here’s why:
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Visibility Issues: The design wasn’t prominent enough, especially because I used velvet. Velvet, ladies and gentlemen, is very reflective, and the engraving didn’t stand out as I had hoped.
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Light Blocking: The dark green (almost black) color of the velvet made it difficult for the light to shine through. The LEDs which I will talk about in the next section were completely hidden, defeating the purpose of integrating illumination into the design.
- Adjustments: I went back to the design file and modified the design:
- Cut out specific sections where the LEDs would be placed.
- This allowed the light to shine through, making the illumination visible—literally lighting up the design!
| Material | Action | Speed | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velvet | Cutting | 3 | 50 |
| Engraving | 5 | 20 | |
| Felt | Cutting | 2 | 70 |
| Engraving | 5 | 20 | |
| Copper Fabric | Cutting | 2 | 70 |
The Electronics side on things¶
After tackling the design part, we move on to the electronics. Similar to the sketch, I created a small, simple “schematic” to visualize the placement of elements for the circuit and help me place the elements correctly. After that, I laser cut it.
After tackling the design part, we move on to the electronics. Similar to the sketch, I created a small, simple schematic to visualize the placement of elements for the circuit and help me place the elements correctly. After that, I laser cut it.
Circuit Components and Design Choices¶
I decided to incorporate the two types of sensors into my circuit: an analog sensor and a digital sensor. Below is a breakdown of their functions, materials, and assembly process.
Once the plan was set, I started sewing the Gemma M0 as a starting point and then added my elements. I decided to create the circuit in parallel, drawing the paths by hand and clearly marking the plus and minus connections to avoid any confusion.
Analog Sensor: Representing Sophie’s Hat¶
Materials:
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Velostat piece
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Three laser cut pieces of copper fabric
Design Details:
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The velostat piece is sandwiched between three layers of copper fabric.
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For aesthetic purposes, I laser-cut the copper sheets into the shape of Sophie’s hat. However, this step is optional, as the shape doesn't affect functionality. You can skip the laser cutting if you're looking for simplicity.
Important Note: The velostat sheet should be slightly larger than the copper fabric to ensure they do not touch each other. This prevents short circuits and ensures the sensor works properly.
How It Works:
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This switch responds to touch or pressure.
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As you press the switch, the values change, creating a dynamic interaction with the design.
Functionality:
- The analog switch serves as a pressure sensor, allowing for tactile interaction. Its response to varying pressure makes it ideal for nuanced inputs.
Digital Sensor: A Simple Trigger¶
Materials: A paper pin
How It Works: This simple component functions as a digital sensor to trigger a light. Unlike the analog switch, the paper pin operates as a binary trigger—either on or off.
Functionality: The digital sensor provides an easy and straightforward way to activate elements in the circuit, such as lights, with a single interaction.
Final Circuit¶
Final Thoughts¶
This week has been an exciting dive into the world of e-textiles. While my first mockup is simple and a little rough around the edges, it holds incredible potential. The possibilities are endless, and that’s what makes this journey so thrilling.
Picture this: a hand-embroidered and framed tapestry, glowing softly to the rhythm of Merry Go round, displayed in someone’s home. Whether inspired by Howl or not, I believe such a piece would be both stunning and heartwarming.
This week has also laid the groundwork for my wearables exploration, where I created a music-reactive dress. The process involved plenty of trial and error—a hallmark of my Textile Academy journey. These experiences have pushed me to think in multiple dimensions, solve problems creatively, and embrace new challenges.
To bring my concept to life, I showcased my laser-cut velvet fabric alongside a favorite scene from the Howl's Moving castle that inspired it. This not only highlighted my design but also reconnected me with my inner child, reminding me of who I was once.
Tools¶
| Category | Tool/Software | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Tools | Multimeter | For measuring voltage, current, and resistance in your circuits. |
| Trotec Laser Cutter | To cut and engrave materials like fabric and conductive sheets. | |
| Conductive Thread | To stitch electronic components into the fabric for wearable circuits. | |
| Electronics | Arduino UNO | A microcontroller for programming and running the circuit. |
| Gemma M0 | A tiny microcontroller designed for wearable and e-textile projects. | |
| LEDs and NeoPixels | For creating light effects and interactive elements. | |
| Velostat | A pressure-sensitive material for creating flexible sensors. | |
| Resistors | To manage current and protect the components. | |
| Software | Arduino IDE | To write and upload code for controlling the electronic components. |
| Adobe Illustrator | For designing patterns and layouts, especially for laser cutting. |