E-Textiles
Also known as wearables, this is the world of electronics sewn right into your clothes! Find tutorials here that introduce the basics of machine-washable boards and conductive thread, as well as projects to get you inspired.
LilyPad Simple Power Hookup Guide
January 15, 2015
A basic guide for getting started using the LilyPad Simple Power with LiPo batteries.
LilyPad Temperature Sensor Hookup Guide
January 23, 2018
How to hook up the LilyPad Temperature Sensor as well as some project ideas and example code.
LilyPad Tri-Color LED Hookup Guide
April 20, 2018
Learn how to hook up the LilyPad Tri-Color LED and use a common anode RGB LED in e-textile projects.
LilyPad USB Plus Hookup Guide
June 7, 2018
The LilyPad USB Plus is a sewable microcontroller that you can use with Arduino.
LilyPad Vibe Board Hookup Guide
January 16, 2019
The LilyPad Vibe Board is a small vibration motor that can be sewn into projects with conductive thread and controlled by a LilyPad Arduino. The board can be used as a physical indicator on clothing and costumes for haptic feedback.
LilyTiny Plush Monster
January 27, 2015
Craft a stuffed monster while exploring the LilyTiny preprogrammed microcontroller. This is a project based on the Plush Monster Activity created at MIT's High-Low Tech Lab by Emily Lovell, Jie Qi, and Natalie Freed.
Mario the Magician's Magical Lapel Flower
May 23, 2013
A guest tutorial from the astonishingly talented Mario the Magician showing how to put together your own servo-controlled lapel flower.
Motion Controlled Wearable LED Dance Harness
January 30, 2019
Control LEDs based on your movement using an accelerometer! Make your LEDs breathe by fading in and out when laying on the floor, turn off the LEDs when moving to your side, or make the LEDs blink in a headstand!
My Drunk Kitchen Apron
September 5, 2013
A fun project that uses the LilyPad MP3 trigger. This apron will dispense helpful kitchen advice and humor from the host of My Drunk Kitchen, Hannah Harto!
Night-Light Pennant with LilyMini ProtoSnap
December 16, 2016
Use the pre-programmed LilyMini ProtoSnap to make an interactive pennant that reacts to ambient light levels.
Night Sky Halloween Costume
October 25, 2017
Make a beautiful night sky costume using the LilyPad LEDs and the LilyTiny.
Planning a Wearable Electronics Project
August 13, 2015
Tips and tricks for brainstorming and creating a wearables project.
Pokémon Go Patches with EL Panels
August 3, 2016
Add a cloth stencil over EL panels to create glowing logos and designs.
Powering LilyPad LED Projects
December 17, 2016
Learn how to calculate how many LEDs your LilyPad project can power and how long it will last.
ProtoSnap LilyPad Development Simple Hookup Guide
September 5, 2013
Interested in getting into LilyPad? Or maybe it's Arduino that tickles your fancy? Just want to add a little white-blinky-LED zest to your vest? All of the above? The ProtoSnap LilyPad Simple is a great tool to explore any of these subjects.
Prototype Wearable LED Dance Harness
February 8, 2018
A project tutorial to add an extra effect for dancers performing a choreographed piece. The harness can be added quickly under a costume.
Qwiic Flex Glove Controller Hookup Guide
July 19, 2018
Is your finger bent? Is your finger straight? The Qwiic Flex Glove controller board will answer this age old question for you with the flex sensor!
Re-Programming the LilyTiny / LilyTwinkle
September 11, 2014
A quick tutorial showing how to reprogram the ATtiny85 IC found on the LilyTiny or LilyTwinkle boards.
Soft Circuits: LED Feelings Pizza
February 13, 2013
Here we will learn how to say how you feel with pizza. Electric pizza.
Sound Reactive EL Wire Costume
December 31, 2015
Learn how to make your EL wire costumes sound reactive in this project tutorial.
Twinkle Zodiac Constellation
August 15, 2017
Create a quick and easy piece of e-textile art based on a Zodiac sign using a LilyTiny, LilyPad LEDs, battery holder, conductive thread, and coin cell battery.
Twinkling Trick or Treat Bag
October 2, 2014
Make a light up goodie bag with conductive thread, LEDs, and the LilyTwinkle!
Old Tutorials
Looking for the old, archived tutorials? Head on over to the
archived tutorials on the main
SparkFun site.
Please be aware that the tutorials you find there are no longer
actively maintained.