GeekMomProjectsI've decorated three denim jackets with LEDs to bring as an installation for the CETI institute in the #portlandwinterlightfestival . The CETI installations will be displayed in an abandoned GAP storefront, so this project feels particularly appropriate. Just got the basic animation working for the rain cloud jacket, and hope to find time to enhance it.
I will definitely be wearing this flower jacket around after the exhibit is over. It's pretty sturdy and quite comfortable.
This clock jacket, which, in the video, is just showing random numbers and counting, was a challenge because I had to get the denim jacket into my laser cutter. I like the look, but I'm still trying to figure out what to display on it besides the time.
Also, @wizard wondered about the odds of being able to wear the countdown jacket through TSA without getting shot.
Greg Bell@geekmomprojects @wizard should be fine as long as it's not very close to zero
WesMason
Carrie (of Alpenglow)@geekmomprojects I just have one question: did you already have 3 jean jackets in your wardrobe or did you have to go thrifting stat?
They are all super cool!
Kernel Bob 
@alpenglow @geekmomprojects Asking the important questions.
@alpenglow thank you! I had two of the jackets at home because I had done some previous experiments with denim jacket wearables and developed a habit of picking up inexpensive denim jackets when I encountered them (Old Navy and Costco are good sources), and right when I started these builds I got two on sale from Macy's for less than $20 each. No thrifting involved, I'm afraid, but I still have one jacket left to play with when I have a bit more time.
@geekmomprojects I love that you were already stashing jean jackets for possible wearable projects. I have this vision of a superhero-style closet filled with LEDs, jean jackets, and copious accessories where you go to change into GeekMom every morning.
@alpenglow LOL! I would like to have an alternate identity as "LED girl" because I have the outfits.
@geekmomprojects we can make this happen!
Dr Footleg (he/him)@alpenglow @geekmomprojects I think this already happened a long time back!
merlin / alex glow
Saguaro Lynx( flashback to TV shows from '70s - '80s )
<voice-over>
We have the technology.
We can make her
Brighter
More Colorful
Prettier Animations
She is GeekMomProjects,
the Bio-wearable Woman!
( Codename: LED Girl )
8- D
@SaguaroLynx @geekmomprojects queue “juh juh juh juh” noise that accompanies Debra running into slow motion, lit up by LEDs.
knizer
@geekmomprojects @wizard wasn’t funny at the time - be smart, it’s hard to get off a secondary screening list. safe travels!
John T@geekmomprojects - I think it's obvious that it should be a countdown to the birthday of the wearer :)
@grajohnt that's a pretty good idea!!!
Jens Hannemann@geekmomprojects There’s a list for that:
Bill Plein🌶@geekmomprojects Countdown to an event. Maybe the wearer is going to a concert…
James@geekmomprojects Left and Right could be side-based Hi-Five counters.
@baldengineer that's a neat idea!
Steve@geekmomprojects distance of the person behind in realtime
@steve I had thought of that, and have it flash red if they get too close.
@geekmomprojects if there were more digits I’d say display long/lat reading. Maybe the next iteration?
@steve yeah, though a position display doesn't have much dynamic range there if I'm just walking around. I think the jacket looks most interesting when the digits are changing, which is why, if it's going to show a clock, I wanted a seconds display.
@geekmomprojects I see. A clock is an obvious option, as you say. But obvious can be a bit… well. Whereas something which is changing in an unfamiliar pattern would more likely spark curiosity. There are various environmental readings you could display (heat, humidity, sound, illumination etc) or biometric (heart rate, step counts etc). Or just scroll the numbers of Pi and leave everyone guessing 😂
@steve I like the scrolling Pi digits idea. I will definitely add a mode for that.
@geekmomprojects @steve How about compass heading?
abetusk@geekmomprojects That's awesome! Is there more detail on how you made it?
@abetusk they are still works in progress so I haven't written about them specifically, though the diffused LED decorations use the same technique as the LED bag project ("Bag to the Future") I wrote up for Make: magazine in Vol. 87
DB Schwein2319009? :-P
CodieneC@geekmomprojects I think my granddaughter would like one that flashes: 'Back the F Up'
@CodieneC I love that!!! However, I learned my lesson about what's appropriate to display on wearables at a protest march where I had a particularly profane message scrolling on my bag, and noticed two small kids, for whom it was at eye level, staring wide eyed at it. I've kept it PG-rated ever since.
Shawn@geekmomprojects Time left until the battery runs out. But also displayed backwards so it can only be seen in the miror. 🤭
This is Hell@geekmomprojects
Countdown till the end of the display? Or the day?
Countdown till the end of the display? Or the day?
Dan Sanderson@geekmomprojects Step counter! Show everyone have far you've gone. I guess six digits is only a week or so of walking, but it animates as you do stuff and its meaning is easy to derive without signage.
Lifetime count-up clock with tenths of days? I guess I like the birthday countdown idea better. :)
QR code underneath that when you scan it with your phone the number goes up, via web service.
felix (grayscale) 🐺@geekmomprojects 3 axis accelerometer reading?
daniel@geekmomprojects I think it would be funny to have one just blink 12:00:00 like an old unset VCR. You will get a certain demographic to either laugh or try to program you. The younger ones will not get it.
@daniel that's pretty funny. I should definitely program that in as a startup mode.
Jon Wood@geekmomprojects it should show how long it’s been worn for.
Odd_Jayy
Dave
Dave Proffer@geekmomprojects *$ bathroom code 😎
Bloomee@geekmomprojects can’t wait to see it! Thanks for posting
Jonathan Barnoud@geekmomprojects The jackets look great! I was curious, though: are they washable?
@jbarnoud you could hand wash them in cold water if the controller was kept out of the water, which is possible since the controller isn't sewn in, but sits in a pocket along with the battery pack. The solder joints wouldn't stand up to machine washing, and the hot glue won't stand up to hot water, but the jacket can be cleaned.
Sindarina, Edge Case Detective@geekmomprojects An alien mothership hellbent on conquest and domination is going to emerge from that evil rain cloud any minute now 😄
@sindarina that would make it by *far* the coolest project I've ever built!
@sindarina @geekmomprojects maybe that’s what the countdown clock version is for!
@alpenglow OMG, of course! 😱
@geekmomprojects Are you SURE that LED flower hat in your profile picture is benign, and not a mind control device beamed down from your new alien overlords? 👽
Perhaps that is also why it reminded me of ICQ, because it's broadcasting a “I SEEK YOU I SEEK YOU” with every rotation 🤔
Firehorseart Lives!