E-Textile Art (Sewn Circuits)

Victoria Wills

Using conductive thread sewn into felt fabric, students will learn about electricity and the power of the invisible electron in this unique Art+Science program.

Students will learn about basic circuitry through while designing and sewing a decorated pillow that glows using conductive thread, LED’s, and a coin battery.

This project gives students an opportunity to think like artists as they create designs using from colorful felt to decorate their pillows and as engineers as they lay out an electrical circuit to illuminate their design.

Final Product

Students will design, decorate and sew a usable felt pillow that they wire themselves using conductive thread and LEDs that can be turned on and off with a fabric button they make themselves.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will learn basic circuitry, what makes a circuit, how to connect battery to output source (the LED), and how to make an on/off button.
• Students will learn about the nature of electrons, conductivity, resistance.
• Students will have the opportunity to make creative choices in the design of their project, such as developing a design, placement of color, and shape.
• Students will expand their scope of what is possible in terms of creative expression and applied technology as they combine fiber arts with electronics to create their art project.
• Students will learn basic hand sewing skills while creating a light-up LED pillow.

Suggested Grades

• Best suited for 3rd-12th grades*

Pricing Breakdown

• 4 visits at 45 minutes each
• Prep hours: 3 hours per classroom
• Materials: $2.00 per student
• Travel from Corvallis

*Note: This residency employs fine motor skills and works best when volunteer helpers are available in the classroom.