GeekMomProjects
Today's procrastimake was inspired by the frigid weather (elsewhere in the US, as I'm in SoCal) and the heads up (pun intended) from @Jorvon_Moss that tomorrow is National Hat Day. Seems like a good time to start sewing an LED string into a band to attach to a fleece cap.
#nationalhatday #sewingproject #ledwearables #wearables
Jan 14, 2024 at 11:17pmTusky
Show threadGeekMomProjectsJan 15, 2024
Testing with a cheap LED controller, and deciding whether to keep it a headband or make it into a brim. It's nice that I can crank up the brightness for extra warmth!
Show threadGeekMomProjectsJan 15, 2024
Decided to turn it into a hat, and attached a XIAO nRF52840 sense controller and cylindrical Li-Ion battery, which both fit nicely under the brim. It's running some example programs from the #circuitpyhton led_animations library currently, and I'll add some sound and motion reactive animations next.
Show threadZumbadorJan 15, 2024
@geekmomprojects that looks so good! The way the lights diffuse through the fabric
Show threadGeekMomProjectsJan 15, 2024
@Zumbador fleece and other fuzzy fabrics work really well for diffusion!
Show threadRobin MarlowJan 15, 2024
@geekmomprojects looks fabulous, do you make the LED string yourself or buy premade? If so, where from?
Show threadGeekMomProjectsJan 15, 2024
@robinmarlow thank you. I would never try to make an LED string that I put into a wearable, because I know it would break right away. This kind of string is colloquially referred to as "pebble lights" and they come in a number of different pixel densities. They're nicely flexible and very sturdy as the LEDs are encased in resin. I usually buy mine on AliExpress
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOFK7HE
Show threadChris PirilloJan 15, 2024
@geekmomprojects ...I don't wear headbands, but I WOULD!
Show threadبلبلJan 15, 2024
@geekmomprojects heat sink of... THE MIND
Show threadGeekMomProjectsJan 15, 2024
@chipperdoodles 😂
Show threadNonya Bidniss 🥥🌴Jan 15, 2024
@geekmomprojects This would be good safety gear for joggers/walkers.
Show threadBob DavidsonJan 15, 2024
@Nonya_Bidniss @geekmomprojects
Also good if you were shopping at Whole Foods
Show threadNonya Bidniss 🥥🌴Jan 15, 2024
@wa7iut 😂 Now that's somebody who needs their seafood STAT! @geekmomprojects
Show threadavatastic  Jan 15, 2024
@geekmomprojects I've often wondered if it'd be possible to power something like this on a belt/headband/armband using nothing but piezoelectrics, so you could wear it to a club/bar/noisy place and have it react, without the need for bulky cells.
Show threadKernel Bob Jan 15, 2024
@geekmomprojects I hope you call it Electric Ladyband
Show threadGreg BellJan 15, 2024
@geekmomprojects thinking cap!
Show threadGeekMomProjectsJan 15, 2024
@ferrix it would be funny to have it respond to brain wave activity.
Show threadSusie and Rosie DoodletonJan 15, 2024
@geekmomprojects Love this! I made some fleece hats and neck rings for winter, but this takes it to a whole new level!!!! ❤️ Great project ❤️
Show threadavatastic  Jan 14, 2024
@geekmomprojects @Jorvon_Moss One fun mod could be using addressable RGB and changing the colour of the LEDs depending on the temperature?
Show threadGeekMomProjectsJan 15, 2024
@avatastic @Jorvon_Moss yes, that's a good one. I was planning to use a XIAO sense board and make it respond to sound and motion. I have built an LED project that displays different colors depending on ambient temperature, but found that living in Los Angeles strongly limited the colors I actually see!
Show threadavatastic  Jan 15, 2024
@geekmomprojects @Jorvon_Moss Ah sounds like you need to add a GPS module to sense if you're in LA and respond to the humidity / air quality instead. If pop-culture has taught me anything it's that LA only has one temperature - not quite right.