(105) Adding Lights to Woven and Felted Projects
This fun class will ignite your imagination with ideas for adding an extra dimension to your projects. You will learn to stitch a basic electric circuit that can be used in endless ways. You can easily fall into the electronic textiles rabbit hole. Many kids are taking programing classes in school and with just a bit of the information I’ll share with you on small computers made to sew into clothing, you will be able to have meaningful conversations with your child or grandchild. You might even decide to stitch motion sensors to light up your favorite graduating girl’s prom dress or boy’s necktie.
We will start by making several felt flowers. Water conducts electricity so they will need to dry overnight. LEDs will light up their centers. Using the same basic circuit, we will add lights to inkle loom projects that can be short to be used as ornaments or long enough for a belt or neck tie. We will weave a small off loom pouch that will light up when the flap is snapped closed.
Class will include an introduction to the endless possibilities of the exciting new world of electronic textiles. No computer programming or special skills are required, but the class will discuss programable computers that can be stitched into clothing for those who want to pursue the possibilities after class. Note, this is a small projects class. The goal is to master a simple circuit that lights up an LED using readily available materials. This is a beginning class that only requires hand sewing for the electronics.
Geri says “Folks find this class something different and fun. I’ve been surprised by how many women I’ve met with previous coding experience. My interest in teaching this subject stems from an desire to get more young girls interested in studying engineering by giving them an alternative to robotics. Many of the small computers that can be stitched into garments were developed by women engineers. The Bicycle Vest I wove out of coffee bags that was in the 2022 Convergence Fashion Show had programable lights that worked as turn signals.”
Read a recent blog post Geri wrote about the class: weavingschool.wordpress.com/2025/03/05/adding-lights-to-woven-and-felted-projects/
Instructor:
Experience Level:
Beginner
Maximum Class Size:
10
Materials fee:
$40 covers felting wools, felting tools, light weight plastic, soap, batteries, battery holders, conductive thread, conductive cloth, snaps, beads, wire, miscellaneous stitching supplies, some embroidery floss and yarns
Equipment required
Inkle Loom
Student Supplies:
- Inkle loom (instructor will provide 2, alternate projects provided if student doesn’t have an Inkle loom)
- Yarns for warping and weaving on Inkle loom
- Scissors
- Personal sewing kit
- Optional: Students may bring optional embellishment materials (embroidery floss, beads, sequins)
Homework:
Warping an Inkle loom ahead of time is helpful, but optional