Published on Technorati, May 11, 2010

How many times have you used a pattern, a recipe, or done a craft and changed a couple of the ingredients or the materials to suit you needs? Well, it's no different with hardware.

Last week, in fashionable Miami, a group of about 150 material scientists, fashion educators, product designers, sportswear makers, textile manufacturers, and fashion designers got together to discuss the future of fashion at the Smart Fabrics Conference. While there, I held a fashion hack workshop that included both the LilyPad Arduino and Aniomagic's group of sensors and lights. The attendees only had about 3 1/2 hours to use these tools to create an interactive garment or accessory. They promised to send some of the steps for DIYs based on their projects, so I am hoping to hear back from them soon. Hopefully this post and a little email nudge will get them motivated to send in the DIY. Until then, take a peep at the photos of the attendees having fun with techno crafting. 

Hi Kittens!  I am getting ready for the Smart Fabrics Conference where I am holding a workshop in DIY electronic craft. This is a big event and I have not had time to post. Hopefully this DIY and video of the tilt/touch switch that I made for the workshop will keep you from having Switch withdrawal.

Here is how it works: The string of beads in the middle has a conductive bead on the end. This bead carries the power and as it turns and moves on the conductive fabric pieces the corresponding LEDs light up. Simple but powerful! What can you make with this idea? 

Materials:

• conductive fabric
• LED Sequins
• regular craft beads
• conductive thread
• 3V battery holder
• one large silver bead.

NOTE: In the video I had small silver beads and they didn't work too well, I added the larger one later.

Fabric Tilt Switch from iHeartSwitch on Vimeo.

This is not your grandma's quilt! Last week in Rio de Janeiro, participants at the Clube de Idéias created 64 interactive patches for Aniomagic's interactive quilt workshop. The participants were passersbys who stopped for a few minutes to sew, iron, decorate, or program. The patches often have many authors, combining skills and styles to create a truly unique interactive artifact. Each patch has a mimeolight, a light you program with flashlight or waving of your hands, which makes it easily programmed and personalized. (Images after the break)

Go to Aniomagic's website to find out more!

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

[Above: Syuzi and Alison meeting for the first time at Maker Faire in 2006]

After four years, Syuzi Pakhchyan and I were finally able to get together and host our own talk about girls in technology. The talk was called “Duh… Its Like Tech for Girls <3" and it was presented as a core converation at SXSW Interactive 2010. We were joined by many audience members, who were passionate about igniting that tech spark in girls, teens, and women.

Congratulations to Jane Larson from Ann Arbor, Michigan!

Jane holding up her prize winnings, a signed copy of Switch Craft and a swatch of Luminex lighted fabric. She plans to incorporate the fabric into a little black dress she's making along with some LEDs.

We want to thank everyone who took the survey. We have new projects and posts planned to incorporate your feedback, so be sure to stay tuned!

As promised, here is a more robust update to the Rodarte's light-up heels that was posted two weeks ago. I used the LED sequins from Aniomagic, you can find them here. The battery pack is from Switch Craft, the materials below account for this. You can use a different battery holder if you like, both  Aniomagic and Lilypad's battery holders work well.

Syuzi Pakhchyan of Fashioning Technology and I are joining forces at SXSW and hosting a session called “Duh…It’s Like Tech for Girls <3.” Here is the information: 

Duh ... It's Like Tech for Girls <3

SXSW Interactive, Austin, TX

Monday, March 15, 11am, ACC 7

Shannon of PolyMath Design Lab  is a 30-year old designer in Oregon and a follower if I Heart Switch. I found her through her comments on this blog and was just facinated by what I found. Not only is she a talented designer in jewelry and unique products, Shannon has been playing around with her first electronic skirt (as you see above). I decided we must interview Shannon and let everyone on Switch see what an amazing project can be done by a first time electronic fashion crafter. The interview, video of the skirt, and more images are after the Break.

Wow, not only did Canada kick our butts on the ice, they are doing it in Fashion Technology too. Don’t believe me, take a look at these gorgeous lighted fabrics and this dress from Karma Chameleon.