Easy Ways To Make Your Clothes Smarter Using Tech | Learn to MakeIT

This is part 2 of Learn to MakeIT: A Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Digital Wearables. Read part 1 of the series first to learn the fundamentals of using a sewing machine.

As the lines between technology and fashion gets increasingly blurred, a fascinating and rapidly growing field has emerged: digital wearables.

From smart clothing that processes digital information to exercise gear that serves as your very own physical trainer, digital wearables are transforming the way we think of fashion.

An interactive dress that can change and adapt itself to what the wearer desires? This is not a thing of science fiction but an actual dress which Adobe introduced in Project Primrose. Using flexible textile displays, the dress is able to display different patterns and images, all with a click of a button.

Adobe’s Project Primrose which features an interactive dress. Image credit: Adobe

Keen to learn how you can incorporate technology into your wearables? We take you through three projects that you can easily embark on with just a sewing machine and the right materials.

But first, what do I need to sew digital wearables?

A microcontroller is an important part of a digital wearable as it acts as the brain of the whole show.

The most important thing that you’ll require to build your digital wearable is a microcontroller.

A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip. It has a processor (serving as the brain of the computer), memory (to store information), and input/output pins (to connect to other electronic components). These microcontrollers are designed to perform specific tasks or control various devices as required.

Think of the microcontroller as the brain of your digital wearable. It tells your LED lights to change colours or display transmitted data such as your heart rate on your watch’s screen.

At MakeIT at Libraries, one of the microcontrollers we get our users to practise with isthe BBC micro:bit, which can be easily coded with instructions using MakeCode, a form of block-based programming.

On top of that, you might also need the following equipment, depending on the projects you intend to pursue:

Depending on your digital wearable project, you may require certain electronic components as necessary.

1. Micro-USB cable: A Micro-USB cable is commonly used for connecting microcontrollers, sensors, and other electronic components to a power source or a computer. The cable allows easy transference of either power or coded instructions, making it essential for configuring and maintaining your digital wearables.
2. Battery holders: Digital wearables require compact and portable power sources to operate, and battery holders are often the solution. They come in various shapes and capacities, ensuring that these wearables can function for extended periods without requiring constant recharging.
3. Laptop/PC: Designing and coding wearable technology typically require a device like a laptop or PC that can compile code, upload it to microcontrollers or other embedded systems, and resolve any issues that may arise in the code.
4. Programming/coding software: Programming and coding software are used to write, test, and debug the software that runs on wearable devices. Think of it as a software on your laptop or PC that can craft instructions, which your digital wearables will be able to understand and follow.
5. Wires: Wires, which come in different types, are used to establish electrical connections between sensors, microcontrollers, displays, and other electronic components within the device.
6. Necessary electronics: Depending on your digital wearable project, this can include a wide range of electronic components and modules. These electronics may include sensor modules (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, heart rate monitors), displays (e.g., OLED screens, LED matrices), wireless communication modules (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), and various integrated circuits (ICs) for specialised functions.

Project 1: Wrist Step Tracker

Grasp the basics of coding and learn to create your very own step tracker with a microcontroller.

This project aims to help you create a simple, compact, and lightweight digital wearable device that provides real-time information on your daily step count.

To create a wrist step tracker, you’ll need:

1. Microcontroller with a LED display
2. A power source such as a small rechargeable battery
3. A shake sensor
4. A sewn wristband to hold the device securely on the wrist

Block-based coding software such as MakeCode (above) are a great place to start learning about code!

With block-based coding software such as MakeCode or Arduino, you can develop the program’s step tracking functionality. This firmware would include code to read data from the shake sensor, process it to calculate steps, and display the step count on the microcontroller’s LED display.

Project 2: LED Wearables

Add a bit of light to your everyday wearables and stand out from the crowd.

Quite literally a fashion glow-up, an LED wearable adds lights to your outfits.

To create an LED wearable, you’ll need:

1. Fabric of your choice
2. Conductive thread
3. LEDs
4. A power source

The fabric serves as the base. You should carefully plan the design of the wearable with consideration to comfort and aesthetics. Be sure to choose fabrics that are lightweight, flexible, and conducive to sewing and embedding electronic components, such as cotton, canvas or felt. You could use a base such as a t-shirt, a backpack, or even something that you’re planning to sew from scratch.

Conductive thread will serve as your “wires” in your digital wearables, creating seamless connections with your components in the fabric.

Conductive thread is essential for creating electrical connections as they allow the integration of LED lights. You can sew the conductive thread into the fabric, creating circuits and connections that will power the LEDs from the chosen power source.

Once the hardware and software components are ready, you can sew or attach the LEDs onto the fabric according to the design and ensure that the conductive thread connects them to the attached power source.

The final result is a sewn digital wearable that can display various light patterns and effects.

For a more in-depth instructional guide, visit MakeIT Facebook Live workshop here, where we teach you to create a simple light-up felt angler fish!

Project 3: Electronic Apparels

Bring out your inner personality in your clothes with LED lights and a few simple lines of code.

Looking for something more advanced? Why not combine and make use of both microcontrollers and LEDs to create a more sophisticated digital wearable?

This project begins with the selection of fabric that will complement the desired apparel design. Conductive thread is used to sew electrical circuits directly onto the fabric, serving as the “wires” that connect the LEDs and the power source to the microcontroller.

LED lights are then strategically sewn into the costume’s design to create captivating visual effects.

An example on how the microcontroller can command the LEDs to illuminate in different colours.

The microcontroller acts as the brain of the wearable, enabling you to program it to control the LEDs’ patterns, colours, and behaviours. By writing code that synchronises with the costume’s theme, you can produce a dazzling display of glowing lights that respond to timed intervals.

The final result is an electronic apparel that combines the allure of fashion with the dynamism of technology, making it an ideal choice for cosplay, theatre performances, or themed parties.

Where can I try out sewing digital wearables?

MakeIT at Libraries is a great place for beginners to learn how to sew their first digital wearable.

In MakeIT at Libraries, you can easily kickstart your journey into creating digital wearables with necessary equipment and knowledge at hand for you to physically conceptualise your projects.

Sign up for our free sewing Starter Sessions, where our Maker Coaches aim to equip and familiarise users to sewing and inspire them to infuse their creations with technology.

Alternatively, you can also participate in our free robotics and coding Starter Sessions, where we let users try their hand in producing instructional codes.

MakeIT is a free-for-public library makerspace that aims to introduce the wonder of digital and tech-based creativity through 3D printing, robotics, sewing and other forms of tech-based tinkering to all adult and senior library members. All programmes and materials are free, and no expertise is required.

Join the community of makers at MakeIT on Facebook, or visit MakeIT at Libraries in person at the following locations:

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MakeIT at Libraries