Switch Craft: Battery-Powered Crafts to Make and Sew by Alison Lewis with Fang-Yu Lin
Book Site
I'm so excited about Alison Lewis' new book, Switch Craft: Battery-Powered Crafts to Make and Sew. Alison of Switch merges technology into fashion, home, and product design with 20 step-by-step projects. Each project in the book is easy to follow and has accompanying illustrated diagrams as well beautiful color photographs. I also love the spiral binding so the book can easily lay flat while you are working on a project. And, if you aren't technically savvy, no worries! Alison is an awesome teacher. She teaches fashion technology at Parsons and I've seen her teach first hand at the many workshops she's done at Maker Faire over the years. She walks you through the process -- teaching you about the materials, safety issues, and electronics. Just flipping through the colorful book is inspiring in itself.
Here are a few of my favorite projects from the book:
Pictured left is Pillow Talk, a pillow that lets you talk on your phone! Just hook it up your mobile phone and talk away. On the right, is the stylish Petal Shuffle newsboy hat. The hat hides your iPod shuffle and the beaded pedals allow you to control the volume and song choice. There's no soldering involved at all on this one so it's very easy to make.
This Firefly Bracelet merges sewing techniques along with electronic components to make it glimmer. Plus I'm in love with all the colors in the bracelet. This may have to be the first project I tackle.
Alison showed Maker Faire Austin attendees how to make this Shiny Clutch.
Catch up with Alison Lewis and updates on the book Switch Craft at the Switch Blog.
And if you are attending SXSW, don't miss Alison's panel:
The Convergence of High-End Design, Fashion and Technology
SXSW
Tuesday, March 17th
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Room 8
