E-Textiles

E-Textiles

How it works?

All the components are designed for easy but discrete stitching to the product and feature a pair of through-hole plated connection terminals. Simply over-sew around each terminal with conductive thread and a reliable circuit can be created. The different components are simply joined together using conductive thread and a small running stitch. No soldering is needed. The conductive thread forms an electrical circuit so the layout must be carefully designed to prevent stitches crossing or touching. Needless to say, E-Textiles must not be washed! Designing with E-Textiles Decide on what type, colour and how many LEDs you wish to use and work out their position on the product. They may sit on the surface or could be on a separate layer beneath – it is often easier to work in layers. Decide on what type of switch is required – this could be another component or simply metal press studs or a metal zip. Soft switches can be made from conductive fabric and foam and stitched anywhere in the circuit. Finally, decide where the batteries will best be hidden. A single coin cell will power up to 5 LEDs depending on the type and colours chosen. If necessary, an additional power supply board (or boards) can be added. Simply fix and connect them using a parallel connection and conductive thread.

Designing with E-Textiles?

Decide on what type, colour and how many LEDs you wish to use and work out their position on the product. They may sit on the surface or could be on a separate layer beneath – it is often easier to work in layers. Decide on what type of switch is required – this could be another component or simply metal press studs or a metal zip. Soft switches can be made from conductive fabric and foam and stitched anywhere in the circuit. Finally, decide where the batteries will best be hidden. A single coin cell will power up to 5 LEDs depending on the type and colours chosen. If necessary, an additional power supply board (or boards) can be added. Simply fix and connect them using a parallel connection and conductive thread.

This Sochi Container was made using S80 non-woven fabric and was printed using the Ricoh SG3110DN sublimation printer. This was then cut out on the CAMM 1 GX-24 knife cutter. The design for the net and all the patterns were created in TechSoft Design V3. The embroidery on the surface and side stitching was done using a Brother Innov-is 35 sewing machine. Embroidered 3D sections were created using soluble fabric and organza, stitched on the Brother Innov-is V3 embroidery machine – the initial design was created in PE Design software. The electronics used were sewable LEDs, 3V power supply and a light sensor, stitched together with conductive thread.

Don’t Do Electronics?

You soon will with E-Textiles. All circuits are made using parallel connections for the LEDs with switches connected in series. Each component has positive (+) and negative (–) signs clearly marked and all you do is connect between these. Students will find it helpful to prepare a simple circuit diagram as part of their design work to guide them when building their E-Textile product.

This design was created using TechSoft Design V3 and sent to a CAMM 1 GX-24 to be cut from textile vinyl. Sewable LEDs were added to the eyes and stitched to the power supply board in the front pocket using a conductive thread. Crystals were glued onto vinyl to reflect light from the LEDs. Flowers were stitched on the organza with soluble fabric stabiliser and were cut out after stitching.

E-Textiles Starter Kit

E-Textiles Kit for BBC micro:bit

Flashing LED Kits

TXEF-LEDF1-COL

TXEF-LEDCC1

Modules

TXEF-MOD1

TXEF-MOD2

Power Boards

TXEF-CCH1

TXEF-CCH3

TXEF-CCH2

Batteries

Switches

TXEF-SW1

TXEF-SW2

TXEF-SW3

TXEF-SW4

Conductive Thread

TXEF-CT-2

TXEF-CT-6

TXEF-CT-45

TXEF-CT-250

Conductive Material

TXEF-CF-R1

LED Boards

TXEF-LEDB10-6-COL

TXEF-LEDB10-4-RD

TRADITIONAL LEDS

Standard 3mm LEDs (25 deg)

Standard 5mm LEDs (25 deg)

Pink 4.6mm LED (100 deg)

Flashing LEDs

Colour Changing LEDs