Craftzine.com blog: Fashion Tech Archives

Archive: Fashion Tech

May 6, 2008

Computer Cord Cozy

Etsy seller pingo makes these cord cozies for your laptop power supply. Custom orders for color and length are accepted. I've been making these cover the cables for my video installations for years so that they fit in with the aesthetic of the piece.Via Core77.

Posted by Becky Stern | May 6, 2008 04:00 PM
Fashion Tech, Knitting, Tech Accessories, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 5, 2008

LED Cape

Andrew "Bruce" Lau made this amazing LED cape and wore it around Maker Faire all weekend. I caught up with him to chat about it, and he said that Leah Buechley's LED tank top was a huge inspiration. He used her suggested technique of soldering metal beads to surface mount LEDs and stitching them in a grid using conductive thread. Controlled by a PIC microcontroller, the cape scrolls letters saying "MAKE" and "DIY as well as traveling patterns.

From the pages of CRAFT:

CRAFT: 01 - "The Electric Tank Top," by Leah Buechley pgs 54 - 67. Digital Subscribers can read the article here.

Posted by Becky Stern | May 5, 2008 02:00 PM
Fashion Tech, Maker Faire, Technology | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 30, 2008

Soft Circuit Embroidery Demo at Maker Faire

I'll be running a demo at 11am on Saturday at Maker Faire on how to sew/embroider a simple circuit using conductive thread, an LED, and a watch battery. This is a beginner's level demo, so don't worry if you've never embroidered or never touched electronics. I look forward to seeing you there!

Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset May 3rd and 4th at the San Mateo Fairgrounds, CA (Upcoming.org). It's for creative, resourceful people of all ages and backgrounds who like to tinker and love to make things.

If you're in the Bay Area, or plan to attend Maker Faire add "makerfaire" to your Twitter, we'll be giving away tickets and will have updates before and during Maker Faire!

Posted by Becky Stern | Apr 30, 2008 04:00 PM
Arts, Events, Fashion Tech, Maker Faire, Needlearts, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 17, 2008

Archisuit

Have you ever seen "anti-sit" technologies at work? Little spikes on ledges to prevent you from resting your legs? Benches the discourage laying down? From the Archisuit site:

Archisuit consists of an edition of four leisure jogging suits made for specific architectural structures in Los Angeles. The suits include the negative space of the structures and allow a wearer to fit into, or onto, structures designed to deny them.

(Thanks, Frank!)

Posted by Becky Stern | Apr 17, 2008 02:00 PM
Arts, Fashion Tech | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 15, 2008

Knitted Interfaces for Technology

I've been working on a project where I knit sweaters to go from gadgets to your body. They're supposed to be a fun commentary on how attached and concentrated on technology we are, and to highlight the lack of movement that happens when we're engrossed in our laptops, keyboards, PDAs, etc. I plan on making many more, and would be curious what ideas fellow crafters might have for different iterations. the one pictured above is for privacy, warmth, and concentration in public spaces while using a laptop.

Posted by Becky Stern | Apr 15, 2008 02:00 PM
Arts, Fashion Tech, Knitting, Technology | Permalink | Comments (6)

April 8, 2008

Laptop Hinge Support Garment

Phil @ MAKE tips us off to this "laptop underwear" for supporting a broken display hinge. Very clever, and quite futuristic looking!

Posted by Becky Stern | Apr 8, 2008 04:00 PM
Fashion Tech, Sewing, Tech Accessories, Technology | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 22, 2008

Leah Buechley's LilyPad Arduino workshop in Amsterdam 4/15-4/18

Lilypadarduino
Leah Buechley will be a part of a Wearables Master Class by Mediamatic teaching a workshop on her LilyPad Arduino in Amsterdam April 15-18. During the workshop, you'll learn how to make soft, playful, and wearable computers by using the LilyPad Arduino.

Other instructors are Maurin Donneaud & Vincent Roudaut of XYinteraction (textile & electronics). Fashion designer Anouk Wipprecht and the physical computing specialist and Fritzing developer Dirk van Oosterbosch.

Find out how more information on the workshop and how to register at Mediamatic.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 22, 2008 05:00 AM
Events, Fashion Tech, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 21, 2008

Shisha Embroidered RFID Tags

RFID tags are those tiny identifiers in your keyfobs, pets, and quickpay systems. I use them in various art projects and games where the idenfication of specific people is important, but often they come in ugly packages that are cumbersome to use. I started using these flat disc tags recently, and in order to incorporate them into useful everyday objects, I made these shisha embroidery RFID wristbands, personalized for each person. The tag is visible the same way the mirror would be in traditional shisha, and I think the copper coil looks quite attractive.

HOW TO - Embroider with Mirrors
Shi Sha Embroidery

Posted by Becky Stern | Mar 21, 2008 02:00 PM
Fashion Tech, Jewelry, Needlearts, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 19, 2008

Cat Bag/Cuddle Bag

Collin @ MAKE writes:

This chic pet-substitute responds to touch with pulsing blue LED 'eyes' and a purring effect courtesy of Lilypad vibrating motor boards. The Cat Bag / Cuddle Bag was created as part of the 'Designing Hybrid wearables' workshop at Mediamatic Amsterdam.

This bag would be good when traveling without a beloved pet, but I'm not sure I'd take it through airport security.

Posted by Becky Stern | Mar 19, 2008 04:00 PM
Arts, Fashion Tech, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 15, 2008

Signal Jacket for Cyclists

Signaljacket-1
Leah Buechley, a PhD student at the University of Colorado at Boulder, is well known for her electronic clothing--just take a look at the LED shirt project she did for CRAFT:01. Her signal jacket (above) for cyclists seems like such a fantastic invention that should be made by all you bikers out there and adopted into biking gear. The jacket is powered by the LilyPad Arduino which is available here at Sparkfun. Link.

From the pages of CRAFT:01
Electrictanktop
CRAFT: 01 - "The Electric Tank Top," by Leah Buechley pgs 54 - 67. Digital Subscribers can read the article here. - Link.

Subscribe to CRAFT Magazine and get 4 quarterly issues for only $34.95 (US) - Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 15, 2008 11:00 AM
Fashion Tech, Technology | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 11, 2007

Server Coat

This awesome winter coat is printed with images of a wiring closet. I know some sysadmins who would disappear if they wore this at work! - [via] Link.

Posted by Becky Stern | Dec 11, 2007 04:00 PM
Arts, Fashion Tech, Technology | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack

November 13, 2007

Dollhouse Furniture Katamari

Jennie writes,

I've recently become obsessed with the latest installment in Keita Takahashi's brilliant Katamari Damacy series, Beautiful Katamari. I created my own real-fake Katamari from an assortment of dollhouse furnishings, hobby shop accoutrements, and toy stores oddities. Additionally, I hand made Pocky and Milky packages using inkjet prints on tiny boxes. The entire replica is made from miniatures down to the hand-felted Katamari at the core, with all the items glued, pinned, and sewn.

Katamari from dollhouse furniture and other tidbits - [via] Link.

Related:
Katamari crafts roundup - Link.

Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 13, 2007 04:00 PM
Arts, Fashion Tech | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

November 8, 2007

Exhibit - LEDs Are Pretty

Here's a cool exhibition for those in and around Adams, Massachusetts, all about LEDs:

In this interactive exhibit we explore the simple and ubiquitous Light Emitting Diode's capacity as an expressive object. Artists use the LED to generate light, display images and patterns, respond to our actions, and reflect on our environment. The result is a collection of diverse works that truly celebrate the beauty of the LED.

Artists include Miriam Songster, Carlyn Maw, John Schimmel, Leif Krinkle, Minsoo Lee, Rory Nugent and Gregory Stringer, and will open November 16 at Greylock Arts - Link.

Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 8, 2007 01:00 PM
Arts, Events, Fashion Tech, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

November 2, 2007

SpaceStyle 2007: A Giant Leap for Couture in LA on Nov 6

Space Style 2007 answers the question, "What do I wear in space?" The event will be taking place during the CSA Transforming Space Conference at the Sheraton Gateway LAX(6101 West Century Blvd, LA) on November 6 at 8pm. The show will feature concepts from forward-thinking space companies such as Interorbital Systems and Rocketplane, with pieces from design collectives and fashion companies such as Orbital Outfitters, Hollywood Fashion Frenzy, designer Rain Sherman's Glamorous Rockstar Fashions, and from surprise guests including international talent from Berlin, Stockholm, and Tokyo. For more information on how to attend, visit the Space Style My Space page. Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Nov 2, 2007 11:00 AM
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October 18, 2007

Animating LED Tophat

Gareth at MAKE points us to this awesome Halloween project:

As Hacked Gadgets says, you probably won't have time to create this amazing LED hat for this Halloween, but if you start soldering now, you might have it done for next Halloween, or if you hurry, next Mardi Gras. The results look worth the effort.

LED tophat animates with numbers, video game characters, is amazing. - [via] Link.

Posted by Becky Stern | Oct 18, 2007 03:10 PM
Fashion Tech, Halloween, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 5, 2007

The Bored Jacket

I'm not sure that I quite get the premise of the Bored Jacket, but I love anything that uses Velcro. This Velcro jacket from Yanko Design is supposed to stave off boredom by attaching itself to other lonely people walking by. [ via ] Link.

Posted by Michelle Kempner | Oct 5, 2007 04:00 PM
Fashion Tech | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 4, 2007

LillyPad Arduino

Phil @ MAKE writes:

LilyPad is a wearable e-textile technology developed by Leah Buechley and cooperatively designed by Leah and SparkFun. Each LilyPad was creatively designed to have large connecting pads to allow them to be sewn into clothing. Various input, output, power, and sensor boards are available. They're even washable!

Leah's a maven. - Link & more.

Posted by Becky Stern | Oct 4, 2007 03:30 PM
Fashion Tech, Sewing, Technology | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 15, 2007

Skull PCB Bracelet

Livejournal user vomitsaw has created these printed circuit board (PCB) bracelets to look like skulls! No word as to whether they're for sale, but the etched copper and AV plug fasteners make these a geek-chic must have.

Skull PCB Bracelet - [via] Link.

Posted by Becky Stern | Sep 15, 2007 09:00 AM
Fashion Tech, Jewelry, Refashion, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 14, 2007

Stitchable Arduino Patches

Gareth at MAKE writes-

We've mentioned Leah Buechley on the blog before. She's a Ph.D. student in Computer Science at the University of Colorado who does some really innovative things with soft circuits, LED clothing, and other geek couture. She writes of her most recent projects, the LilyPad: e-textile construction kit version 2.0

There is no reason for fabric circuits to mimic the look of traditional PCBs. My version 2.0 construction kit explores a new aesthetic for electronics. The e-textile construction kit was designed to empower novices to work with electronic textiles. Using the kit, you can build your own soft interactive clothing. The patches shown here, built with my iron-on circuit technique, are small, sewable computer chips. Each patch functions as a stitchable Arduino.

LilyPad: e-textile construction kit version 2.0 - [via] Link.

Related:
Getting Started with Arduino - Link.
CRAFT vol 1- "The Electric Tank Top" by Leah Buechley - Link.

Posted by Becky Stern | Sep 14, 2007 11:00 AM
Fashion Tech, Sewing, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 22, 2007

HOW TO - Getting Started with Arduino

I've compiled a brief tutorial on getting started with Arduino for the absolute beginner. I'll cover where to learn, what to buy, and where to go for help. Why should you crafters be interested in Arduino? The Arduino platform, more-so than any other way of incorporating electronics into your projects, is geared towards do-it-yourselfers. It's open source (both on a hardware and software level), so the community plays a large role in its development and improvement. Crafting is a community endeavor; individuals share tips, tricks, techniques, skills, and materials all the time. Arduino comes out of the same spirit. On a more practical level, you may just want to make your crafts more fun, interesting, and interactive by introducing some lights, motion, sound, or simple sensors. Stuffed toys can become glowing night-lights or cat-chasing robots, fibers can carry currents to make smart clothes, accessories, you name it. There's also an overlap in materials between crafting and circuit building that can lead to some non-traditional works in either category: threads, fabrics, paints, and glues with conductive properties introduce subtle ways to incorporate electronics in your crafting practice. Read on to start learning about Arduino! Add your Arduino tips and resources in the comments.Read full story

Posted by Becky Stern | Aug 22, 2007 01:00 PM
101, Fashion Tech, Gadgets, Tech Accessories, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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