Sewing Simple Circuits

This is a set of simple instructions for when introducing soft circuits to kids. By sewing with conductive thread, kids will light up an LED with a button battery.

Fabric (square or cut out shape; pocket for battery)

Needles (wide eyes for those new to sewing; pre-thread if needed)

LEDs

Conductive thread

Regular thread

Scissors

Pliers

Marker

Before starting on fabric it is always a good idea to try your design on paper and make sure the kids understand that the positive and negative threads can not cross.

Cut a pocket square the size of the battery. Cut a larger piece of fabric to sew to - this could be a shape and could be sewn into a pillow, stuffed animal, etc.

Mark on the fabric where the pocket and LED will go to reflect your design.

On your pocket square sew a few stitches of conductive thread. Keep this needle threaded and put to the side.

Repeat the previous step but on your fabric square with a new needle and piece of thread.

*It is important that there are 2 strands of conductive thread as one will be the positive and one will be the negative. If you do not use two threads you will not complete the circuit.

Use the regular thread to attach the pocket to the fabric.

Mark the positive side of the LED with a marker. Curl up the ends into loops so you can sew the LED directly to the fabric.

Start with the thread that is on the top of the pocket. Carefully sew a running stitch from the pocket to the LED. Be sure not to sew the pocket closed. Stitch the LED a few times to ensure a connection. Tie off once this side is sewn.

Repeat using the second thread from the back of the pocket. Again, be sure not to sew the pocket shut. Also be sure the threads do not cross. This will short the circuit.

Your circuit should now be complete! Add your battery and make sure it lines up with the conductive thread on the pockets. Watch the LED light up!