Introducing GlowStitch LEDs: the ultimate solution for adding lights to sewing and crafting projects. These LEDs are crafted from flexible circuit boards, making them perfectly machine sewable for a wide range of applications, including soft circuits, paper circuits, crafting projects, and artworks. GlowStitch LEDs cater to hobbyists, makers, cosplayers, fashion designers, schools, and kids involved in crafting. What’s more, you’ll have everything you need right out of the box to create your GlowStitch LED projects.

GlowStitch LEDs eliminate the need for coding and soldering; all you require is some conductive tape, a battery holder, and the GlowStitch LED strips. This approach streamlines the process and removes the complexity and frustration often associated with working with (or learning about) electronics.

Introducing: Machine Sewable LEDs

Up until now, adding LEDs to clothing or soft circuits involved painstaking hand sewing with conductive thread, a time-consuming process, even for professionals, and challenging to teach in schools. GlowStitch LEDs’ sewing machine compatibility brings wearable technology into the modern era. You can prototype your designs with conductive fabric tape and then finalize your projects using a sewing machine.

Easy-to-Follow Instructions

New to electronics? Don’t worry! Each GlowStitch kit includes a detailed and colorful 20-page instruction booklet designed to get you started, even if you have no prior knowledge. It offers valuable tips, tricks, guidance, troubleshooting advice, and example project ideas. The content is presented in a user-friendly format with bite-sized information, colorful diagrams, and clear explanations, making it accessible for absolute beginners.

Diverse Applications

GlowStitch LEDs are incredibly versatile and can be used for various applications, including wearable technology, crafting, paper circuits, art projects, cosplay, teaching, kids’ crafts, and much more.

Example: Rainbow Fish Pencil Case

Inspired by the Rainbow Fish children’s book, this pencil case features 3D printing on fabric and illuminating GlowStitch LEDs that diffuse light through the scales. Watch the assembly video here.

Example: Rocket Ship Painting

Transform your artwork into a stunning light display by painting over a GlowStitch LED circuit.

Available Products

GlowStitch LEDs come in sheets of 10, with options for color cycling strips (3 LEDs each) and white LED strips (1 LED each). The base of each sheet includes a test point where you can attach the battery holder to illuminate the LEDs. These sheets are crafted from flexible circuit boards and feature a matte black finish with an immersion gold coating, showcasing the beautiful aesthetics Maker Queen AU’s kits are famous for.

Color Cycling LED Strips

One sheet with 10 LED strips, each strip has three color cycling LEDs.

White LED Strips

One sheet with 10 LED strips, each strip has one white LED per strip.

AAA Battery Holder and CR2032 Coin Cell Battery Holder

Roll of Conductive Tape

GlowStitch Maker Kit

This comprehensive pack includes one of each product mentioned above, including a sheet of color cycling LEDs, a sheet of white LEDs, a AAA battery holder, a coin cell battery holder, a 20m roll of 8mm conductive tape, and a glossy 20-page instruction manual. Everything comes neatly packaged in a kraft box with a printed sleeve.

Comparisons

Support & Documentation

For detailed insights into the design process, testing, and progress, visit my Hackaday page. GlowStitch LEDs are open source, and you can access the open source files on the Github page. Need inspiration? Check out more example projects, printable instructions, teacher guides, and presentations on the Maker Queen website.

Manufacturing Plan

The journey of developing this product began in 2020, with multiple rounds of samples and feedback. Through this quality-focused process, I have iteratively improved the product over three cycles of samples and enhancements. Various tests, including three-point bend tests and sewing machine tests, have been conducted and documented on my Hackaday blog page.

I have a background in designing and manufacturing products, and a track record of selling soldering kits through Adafruit, Pimoroni, and others. For GlowStitch LEDs, I am partnering with Elecrow in Shenzhen, China, an experienced manufacturing partner specializing in kits and edutech products.

Fulfillment & Logistics

Following production, all GlowStitch products will be shipped to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, which will handle worldwide distribution. Additional information about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service can be found in the Ordering, Paying, and Shipping section of their guide.

Risks & Challenges

To mitigate risk, I have initiated a small sample run of the final product from the factory. This approach will help identify and resolve any issues before the final production run. While supply chain and part availability are not expected to be problematic, backers will be promptly informed of any challenges that may arise.