Glowing Chuck Taylor All-Star Sneakers
Mod your Converse sneakers with an illuminated star logo made from EL panel.
Light-Up Angler Fish Embroidery
This is a very simple FLORA project with no soldering– a single NeoPixel lights up on an embroidered angler fish on a pair of shorts. The main board is stitched on the front of the design, in the belly of the fish. A snap is used on the fin as a digital switch, triggering a color change in the pixel in the angler’s lure. Follow the circuit diagram to stitch up this circuit, and tuck the battery in the pocket.
Project created with assistance from Risa Rose, portraits by Collin Cunningham
Tools & Supplies
Bill of materials:
- FLORA main board
- 1Â FLORA RGB NeoPixel
- 3xAAA battery pack or 150mAh LiPo battery
- Conductive thread
- A single sew-on snap
- Standard thread
- Embroidry floss in your choice of colors
- Dark blue shorts
- Scissors
- Conductive thread
- Embroidery hoop
- Clear nail polish
- Water soluble marking pen or tailor’s chalk
The Future of Wearable Tech – PBS Off Book
I was interviewed for this video: The Future of Wearable Technology – PBS Off Book
Sparkle Skirt
Make clothing that lights up when you move! This is a sewing (no soldering) Flora project using 12 color-changing NeoPixels and the Flora accelerometer/compass module. Spikes in the sensor readings cause the pixels to flash, and sparkle. The pixels are sewn to the skirt’s lining and are diffused by the outer layer of fabric, whether it be a sheer overlay or a cutout lace design.
If a skirt doesn’t appeal to you, use this circuit and code on a hat, a belt buckle, and even a blinky dog collar.
Prerequisite guides:
Tools & Supplies
Bill of materials:
- FLORA main board
- FLORA accelerometer + compass module
- 12Â FLORA RGB NeoPixels
- 150mAh LiPo battery or 3xAAA battery pack
- Conductive thread
- Standard thread
- Lined skirt with either a sheer overlay or cutout top layer
- Scissors
- Sewing needle
- Multimeter
- Embroidery hoop (optional but handy)
- Clear nail polish
- Water-soluble embroidery marker or tailor’s chalk
Plush Game Controller
Plush Game Controller with Flora & Conductive Fabric – Make an oversize plush game controller that actually works! Use conductive fabric and a Flora board to stitch up a capacitive touch sensing circuit. The controller acts like a computer keyboard, allowing you to play all your favorite old school games on emulator sites online.
Candle Flicker LED Hair Bow
Make a twinkling accent for your updo! This tutorial will teach you to make a ribbon bow and simple LED circuit. One Adafruit LED Sewing Kit has enough supplies for two bows, so make this project with a friend! The included LEDs contain a tiny chip that flickers the LEDs to simulate a candle’s glow, so all we have to do is power them up!
Before beginning this project, check out my LED Sewing Kit guide!
Tools & Supplies
For this project you will need:
- LED Sewing Kit with candle flicker LEDs
- 28-inch piece of 2.25″ wide pewter grosgrain ribbon
- Small piece of trim/ribbon or colorful ribbon cable
- Small piece of heat shrink tubing
- Hair clip
Tools:
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun (keep a bowl of ice water nearby for burns)
- Pliers
- Permanent marker
- Standard cotton/poly thread
- Lighter (or wood burning tool/old soldering iron)
- Clear nail polish
Adafruit LED Sewing Kit
In 2009, I created an LED sewing kit to make it easy to get the supplies you need to add LEDs to a project using conductive thread. It later became an Adafruit kit that I earned royalties on from 2012-2016. This is the product documentation. Check out v3 of the LED Sewing Kit for upgraded battery holders and more colors.
Add LED accents to textile projects with Adafruit’s LED Sewing Kit! Stitch a glowing circuit with conductive thread– this kit comes with everything you need to get started:
- 1 bobbin of 2-ply conductive thread
- 2 x sewable CR2032 battery holders
- 2 x CR2032 batteries
- 4 x candle flicker LEDs – they twinkle automatically, no need for a microcontroller or external circuit!
- 4 x 5mm snaps to use as sewable switches
- Needle set
This kit comes with enough supplies to make two projects with two LEDs each, or one project with four LEDs. Great for embroidery and needlework, light-up jewelry and hair accessories, shoes, plush toys, and more. This is a great beginner kit for kids (no soldering!) and adults alike who are looking to get into soft circuits and wearable electronics.
Parts List
Check to make sure your kit comes with the following parts. Sometimes we make mistakes so double check everything and email support@adafruit.com if you need replacements!
| Name | Description | Qty |
| Stainless Thin Conductive Thread – 2 ply – 23 meter/76 ft | Check out the guide on conductive thread! | 1 |
| Sewable CR2032 Battery Holder | Convenient flat back with sewable tabs | 2 |
| LEDs! | Warm white candle flicker LEDs softly twinkle thanks to a chip inside. | 4 |
| CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery | Fits in the sewable holder. ~3V. | 2 |
| Sewable Snaps – 5mm | Strip of four snaps | 1 |
| Needle set – 3/9 sizes – 20 needles | Packet with multiple sizes | 1 |
Tools & Prep
Test that each LED works by pinning it onto one of the included coincell batteries. It will only light up one way so if it doesn’t at first, try flipping it around.
The candle flicker LEDs have a chip inside that causes the light to twinkle.
Notice the longer lead is on the positive side marked +
The LEDs pictured are wired in parallel with the 3V coincell. We recommend powering two LEDs with one battery, which is great for projects in pairs like shoes.
Read our conductive thread guide to get to know this quirky steel textile.
- Pliers help you shape the leads of the LEDs.
- You will need a good quality basic multimeter that can measure voltage and continuity.
- Heat shrink tubing insulates your circuit to prevent shorts.
- Sharp scissors are a must!
Project Ideas
