Getting Started with LilyPad
Gella Pre-Programmed Circuits
If you are ready to try some flashier effects with LEDs or explore how programmed projects work without writing the code yourself, pre-programmed LilyPad boards are a great option.
The LilyPad line includes four products that are project-ready: the LilyTiny, LilyTwinkle, LilyTwinkle ProtoSnap and LilyMini ProtoSnap — just sew and glow!
The LilyTiny and LilyTwinkle are small LilyPad boards with pre-loaded programs on them. Just hook them up to a LilyPad Coin Cell Battery Holder and some LilyPad LEDs to see different light patterns display on the LEDs. Both the LilyTiny and LilyTwinkle use the same circuit board and controller, but differ in the code they ship with.
LilyTiny
The LilyTiny has a different light pattern programmed for each numbered sew tab. Tab 0 controls a “breathing” fade, tab 1 flashes a heartbeat pattern, tab 2 creates an on/off blink, and tab 3 produces a random fading effect (twinkle). The LilyTiny is a great way to try out different light patterns in a project.
Try checking out a demo of the LilyTiny below.
Here are some LilyTiny projects to try:
LDK Experiment 6: Microcontroller Circuits
LilyTiny Plush Monster
Twinkle Zodiac Constellation
Suggested Materials:
- Needle
- Scissors
- Felt or Fabric
- Hot Glue and Glue Gun
- Conductive Thread
- LilyTiny
- LilyPad Coin Cell Battery Holder
- Coin Cell Battery
- LilyPad LEDs
LilyTwinkle
If you are looking for an overall sparkling effect on a project, the LilyTwinkle has all four numbered tabs programmed with a random fading effect, mimicking twinkling stars or fireflies. The LilyTwinkle also comes in a LilyTwinkle ProtoSnap, a pre-wired board containing everything you need to test and sew a LilyTwinkle project.
Try checking out a demo of the LilyTwinkle below.
Here are some LilyTwinkle projects to try:
Soft Circuits: LED Feelings Pizza
Firefly Jar Assembly Guide
Twinkling Trick or Treat Bag
Suggested Materials:
- Needle
- Scissors
- Felt or Fabric
- Hot Glue and Glue Gun
- Conductive Thread
- LilyTwinkle or LilyTwinkle ProtoSnap
- LilyPad Coin Cell Battery Holder (included if using ProtoSnap)
- Coin Cell Battery (included if using ProtoSnap)
- LilyPad LEDs (included if using ProtoSnap)
LilyMini ProtoSnap
For something more interactive, try the LilyMini ProtoSnap — a pre-wired, pre-programmed LilyPad board with a LilyPad Light Sensor and LilyPad Button attached to it. The LilyMini includes a built-in coin cell battery holder to eliminate additional sewing. Test out the circuit with the pre-wired connections, then snap apart and sew into a project. The LilyMini ProtoSnap has three pre-programmed modes (indicated by a built-in RGB LED): white (all LEDs on), magenta (LEDs fade in and out in a “breathing” pattern with speed affected by covering the light sensor), and cyan (when the light sensor is covered, LEDs twinkle).
Here are some LilyMini projects to try:
Night-Light Pennant with LilyMini ProtoSnap
Suggested Materials:
- Needle
- Scissors
- Felt or fabric
- Hot Glue and Glue Gun
- Conductive Thread
- LilyMini ProtoSnap (includes Coin Cell Battery)