E-Textiles describes a contemporary and exciting new dimension for textile design. Using miniature components and conductive thread, simple LED circuits can be built into any type of textile product - including garments. For the ultimate in bling for dance or evening wear or to take high-visibility to another level, E-Textiles has a great deal to offer. The components we offer here have been developed to make the technique both accessible and reliable and all have a proven track record for success from KS2 to KS5.
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.
Products | Price | Buy |
E Textiles Starter Pack Order Code: TXEF-PK1 | £28.00 |
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E-Textiles Kit for the BBC micro:bit Order Code: EL-BM17 | £10.00 |
TXEF-LEDF1-COL
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TXEF-LEDCC1
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Sewable Flashing LED Kit. (Includes coin cell holder, coin cell, 2m conductive thread, 2 flashing LEDs). Available in blue, green, red and yellow. Order Code: TXEF-LEDF1-COL | £3.80 | |
Sewable Colour Changing LED Kit. (Includes coin cell holder, coin cell, 2m conductive thread, colour changing LED) Order Code: TXEF-LEDCC1 | £3.80 |
TXEF-MOD1
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TXEF-MOD2
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E Textiles Module - Flasher Controller & LEDs Order Code: TXEF-MOD1 | £6.40 | |
E Textiles Module - Light Sensor Order Code: TXEF-MOD2 | £4.60 |
TXEF-CCH1
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TXEF-CCH3
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TXEF-CCH2
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Sewable Coin Cell Holder (34 x 20 x 4.5mm, accepts CR2032 batteries) Order Code: TXEF-CCH1 | £1.40 | |
Sewable Miniature Coin Cell Holder (22 x 12.5 x 4mm, accepts CR1220 batteries) Order Code: TXEF-CCH3 | £1.40 | |
Sewable Coin Cell Holder with Switch (40 x 20 x 4.5mm, accepts CR2032 batteries) Order Code: TXEF-CCH2 | £2.40 |
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Pack of 5 CR2032 Coin Cell Batteries Order Code: TXEF-BAT1-5 | £1.60 | |
Pack of 5 CR1220 Coin Cell Batteries Order Code: TXEF-BAT2-5 | £1.60 |
TXEF-SW1
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TXEF-SW2
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TXEF-SW3
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TXEF-SW4
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Sewable Push Switch (18 x 8.5 x 6mm) Order Code: TXEF-SW1 | £1.20 | |
Sewable Slide Switch (18 x 8.5 x 4mm) Order Code: TXEF-SW2 | £1.20 | |
Sewable Tilt Switch (26 x 6.5 x 7mm) Order Code: TXEF-SW3 | £2.00 | |
Magnetic Switch Complete with Magnet Order Code: TXEF-SW4 | £4.00 |
TXEF-CT-2
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TXEF-CT-6
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TXEF-CT-45
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TXEF-CT-250
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2m Conductive Thread (on Card) Order Code: TXEF-CT-2 | £2.20 | |
6m Conductive Thread (on Card) Order Code: TXEF-CT-6 | £3.30 | |
45m Conductive Thread (on Bobbin) Order Code: TXEF-CT-45 | £10.60 | |
250m Conductive Thread (on Bobbin) Order Code: TXEF-CT-250 | £46.00 |
TXEF-CF-R1
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Conductive Fabric (Ripstop, 305 x 330mm) Order Code: TXEF-CF-R1 | £12.00 |
TXEF-LEDB10-6-COL
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TXEF-LEDB10-4-RD
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Pack of 10 Sewable LED Boards 6mm thick. Available in blue, white, green and lilac Order Code: TXEF-LEDB10-6-COL | £6.10 | |
Pack of 10 Sewable LED Boards 4mm thick. Available in red Order Code: TXEF-LEDB10-4-RD | £6.10 |
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Pk of 10 Blue 3mm Water Clear LED (1750mCd) Order Code: TX-LED3C-10-BL | £2.00 | |
Pk of 10 Green 3mm Water Clear LED (75mCd) Order Code: TX-LED3C-10-GR | £1.30 | |
Pk of 10 Orange 3mm Water Clear LED (1750mCd) Order Code: TX-LED3C-10-OR | £1.30 | |
Pk of 10 Red 3mm Water Clear LED (1000mCd) Order Code: TX-LED3C-10-RD | £1.30 | |
Pk of 10 White 3mm Water Clear LED (2750mCd) Order Code: TX-LED3C-10-WH | £2.00 | |
Pk of 10 Yellow 3mm Water Clear LED (1000mCd) Order Code: TX-LED3C-10-YL | £1.30 |
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Pk of 10 Blue 5mm Water Clear LED (1150mCd) Order Code: TX-LED5C-10-BL | £2.00 | |
Pk of 10 Green 5mm Water Clear LED (1000mCd) Order Code: TX-LED5C-10-GR | £1.30 | |
Pk of 10 Orange 5mm Water Clear LED (900mCd) Order Code: TX-LED5C-10-OR | £1.30 | |
Pk of 10 Red 5mm Water Clear LED (1150mCd) Order Code: TX-LED5C-10-RD | £1.30 | |
Pk of 10 White 5mm Water Clear LED (2250mCd) Order Code: TX-LED5C-10-WH | £2.10 | |
Pk of 10 Yellow 5mm Water Clear LED (800mCd) Order Code: TX-LED5C-10-YL | £1.30 |
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Pk of 10 Pink 4.8mm Water Clear LED (700mCd) Order Code: TX-LED48C-10-PK | £4.00 |
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Pk of 10 Flashing Blue 5mm Water Clear LED Order Code: TX-LED5FC-10-BL | £3.20 | |
Pk of 10 Flashing Green 5mm Water Clear LED Order Code: TX-LED5FC-10-GR | £3.20 | |
Pk of 10 Flashing Red 5mm Water Clear LED Order Code: TX-LED5FC-10-RD | £3.20 | |
Pk of 10 Flashing White 5mm Water Clear LED Order Code: TX-LED5FC-10-WH | £3.40 | |
Pk of 10 Flashing Yellow 5mm Water Clear LED Order Code: TX-LED5FC-10-YL | £3.20 |
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Pk of 10 Colour Changing 5mm LED (diffused, VF 2.7-5, 3000mcd@25mA) Order Code: TX-LED5CC-10 | £6.90 | |
Pk of 10 Colour Changing 10mm LED (diffused, VF 2.7-5, 3000mcd@25mA) Order Code: TX-LED10CC-10 | £7.70 |