HOW TO GET WHAT YOU WANT

Soft & Tiny Pillow Speaker Workshop

Sunday 24 February 2013, 1-6pm, Betahaus Maker Weekend in Berlin, Germany

This workshop is a good introduction to making soft circuits and writing some basic arduino code. Instead of learning how to program an Arduino, participants will learn to use an Arduino to program an ATtiny microcontroller, the difference being that the ATtiny microcontroller is smaller, cheaper and still has five in/out pins which is perfect for projects that don’t need more.

>> Silent Pillow
>> Download booklet PDF (single-sided for screen viewing)
>> Download booklet PDF (double-sided for print)

Together we will write code to play a simple melody of your choice, stitch together a soft switch to trigger the melody and embroider a fabric speaker to play it. All these elements will come together to make a personalized pillow that plays your melody into your ear when you lay your head on the pillow.

This workshop is for everybody interested in making and understanding how electronics work. While it involves programming and sewing, you do not need to know either of these skills to participate in the workshop. Come prepared to soak up basic programming skills as well as craft techniques and learn about new materials such as conductive thread and resistive yarn.

All the materials and tools required for the workshop are provided and included into the price. But feel free to bring extra fabric or decorative elements with you if you want to further customize your creation.

Time and Date: Sunday 24 February 2013, 1-6pm (5 hours)
Location: Part of Maker Weekend at Betahaus, Berlin
Max participants: 8
Cost per participant: 46 Euro
Sign-up: on Gidsy

Photos

Participants at Work

Cost Breakdown

2 Euro – Attiny microcontroller
1 Euro – 3V Coin-cell battery
2 Euro – Magnet(s)
5 Euro – Highly conductive thread for speaker coil
4 Euro – Knit stretch/pressure sensor
5 Euro – Fabric and thread (silk, cotton, neoprene, fusible interfacing, thread)
3 Euro – Stuffing
1 Euro – Instruction booklet
10 Euro – Workshop fee
Subtotal = 33 Euro + 40% betahaus charge + 10% Gidsy fee = 46 Euro

Rough Content Outline

In the workshop we will cover the following…

Programming an ATtiny microcontroller using an Arduino board:
>> http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/?p=3742

Reading analog input from a knit stretch/pressure sensor:
>> http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/?p=2108
>> http://www.etsy.com/listing/63665445/knit-stretch-sensor?

Embroidering a speaker coil onto fabric:
>> http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/?p=2936

Sewing a circuit and soldering components to solderable conductive thread:
>> http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/?p=3395

Sewing everything together to make a Silent Pillow:
>> http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/?p=4008

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Content by Mika Satomi and Hannah Perner-Wilson

E-Textile Tailor Shop by KOBAKANT

The following institutions have funded our research and supported our work:

Since 2020, Hannah is guest professor of the Spiel&&Objekt Master's program at the University of Performing Arts Ernst Busch in Berlin

From 2013-2015 Mika was a guest professor at the eLab at Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weissensee

From July - December 2013 Hannah was a researcher at the UdK's Design Research Lab

From 2010-2012 Mika was a guest researcher in the Smart Textiles Design Lab at The Swedish School of Textiles

From 2009 - 2011 Hannah was a graduate student in the MIT Media Lab's High-Low Tech research group led by Leah Buechley

In 2009 Hannah and Mika were both research fellows at the Distance Lab

Between 2003 - 2009 Hannah and Mika were both students at Interface Cultures

We support the Open Source Hardware movement. All our own designs published on this website are released under the Free Cultural Works definition