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5. E-textiles

Research

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This week has been exciting as we began learning how to set up electrical circuits and explore their applications in fashion design. It was quite easy for me, especially since, as I mentioned before, I studied civil engineering, so I already have some background knowledge and general experience with electrical circuits. I also had some ideas about incorporating electricity and technology into fashion design, but I didn’t use them this week as they involve more advanced techniques. However, I might consider implementing them in the coming weeks as we progress.

References & Inspiration

At the beginning, we learned about Arduino, exploring its functions and features, as well as the breadboard and its various applications. We also went over all the equipment we’ll be using, gaining a solid understanding of each component’s purpose and how it will contribute to our projects. I was inspired to create a unique idea—a light-up bracelet with a manual resistor. The bracelet is made from leftover denim fabric from last week’s laser cutting project, which helps minimize fabric waste and supports environmental sustainability.

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Tools

Process and workflow

The first circuit

Initially, I created a small, simple circuit to ensure that all the steps were correct. After that, I tested it using the Arduino application and wrote a code to turn the lights on and off. I then experimented with the circuit I had built to see how well it worked.

the final circut & desgin

In the final circuit, as I mentioned earlier, I used leftover denim fabric and incorporated heat-conductive thread to create an electrical circuit. Additionally, I built a manual sensor and reinforced the threads with copper strands to enhance conductivity. Now, you’ll see the results!

Code Example

Use the three backticks to separate code.

// the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
void setup() {// the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
void setup() {
  // initialize digital pin LED_BUILTIN as an output.
  pinMode(7, OUTPUT);
}

// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(7, HIGH);  // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(2500);                      // wait for a second
  digitalWrite(7, LOW);   // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000);                      // wait for a second
}

}

Results