SparkFun Forums

[absolutebeginner]

I'm a dancer and putting together a costume with LEDs. I'm making a shirt that will have LEDs on the front. I'd like to use conductive fabric to turn the LEDs on and off at very specific points in the dance but only with my hands. Since this is my first time making something like this, I find I have some very basic questions.

Is the conductive fabric conductive on both sides? For instance, if I use this on a shirt will simply wearing the shirt (and having it touch the skin on body) turn the LEDs on or would it remain off until I touch it with my hands? Hope that makes sense...sorry also if it's a silly question.

[DanV]

I don't know that I would use the conductive fabric - I think the conductive thread would be easier to manage.
Have a look at the tutorial for the LilyPad Design Kit:
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ld ... ic-circuit

[absolutebeginner]

Thanks for the response! I imagined connecting the LEDs with thread but using a small patch of conductive fabric as an on/off switch. When I touch the fabric with my hands, the LEDs turn on, for example. Are you saying that I could do this with just thread? How would I turn the LEDs on the shirt on and off by touch? Thanks so much!

[DanV]

The LilyPad design Kit tutorial explains many things - I think it's likely you can use just the thread ...
Really, read the tutorial.