When working with multiple LEDs for the same project take a moment to determine how to indicate the polarity of the LED.     Before I begin a project I use paint, nail polish, beads, or bend the LEDs positive and negative leads into specific shapes.     This allows me to quickly and accurately add LEDs to the […]

  Whats on my workbench?     One of my favorite circuits! A Maxbotix Ultra Sonic Range Finder, ATtiny45, and a vibrating motor.  

  From left to right Bamboo and Stainless, Silver taffeta, copper taffata, silver non-woven, velostat and bottom left silver lycra.   Alll from LessEMF in Albany, NY.

The right tools help make the project a success: Aligator Clips, wire cutters, pliers, LEDs, battery holder, yarns, and crimping beads. More Information about weaving with conductive thread, LEDs, and battery power packs: The Starlight Table Runner in Handwoven Magazine November 2012. Clasped Weft Weaving with Conductive Thread and LEDs  in Weavezine May 2009. or search ‘weave’ on The eTextile Lounge!

    Detail of how I use conductive thread strung with crimping beads in the warp to insert and secure the thru hole quadrate LEDs.  

  Threading a hand sewing needle with conductive thread can be an impossible task. The thread is too fat. The eye of the need to small. The thread frays and splits. And once you finally get the thread thru the eye of the needle you realize the needle is too large to fit thru the electronic hardware. Frustrating, yes? Try […]

  This is stranded hook up wire that I purchased from eBay.   It comes pre-tinned.   A comparison of solid core to stranded wires.

    Current flows from the battery along the negative trace (black) thru a resistor and to the negative lead of the LED. The electrons jump the P-N Junction inside the lens cap emitting light and the depleted current returns to the battery along the positive trace (red). Other blog posts on LED’s LED Close Up