Conductive Velcro Toggle Switch

This is an Instructable on how to make a toggle switch out of conductive Velcro, fabric and conductive thread.

Lately I've been playing with conductive thread and sewing circuits with LEDs into clothing. What I found that I really wanted in these garments was a soft switch to turn my circuit on and off. Who wants to mess around with a clunky plastic switch on a garment? Not I. So, that's when I came up with this.

Here are the things that you need:

1. A project that needs a switch. Could be anything -- let your imagination go crazy!
2. Sewing needles and regular thread (JoAnn Fabric and CraftsJoAnn Fabric and Crafts)
3. Scissors JoAnn Fabric and Crafts
4. Conductive Thread LessEMF
5. Conductive Velcro LessEMF
6. Material JoAnn Fabric and Crafts
7. Fusible Interfacing for Fabric JoAnn Fabric and Crafts

Step 1 Cutting the Switch from Fabric

Next step is to fuse the interfacing onto your material. Fusing interface on to your material adds rigidity to the fabric. It is not necessary, but useful in some circumstances. Fusing interface on to your material will also slow down the fraying process of your fabric if you choose not to finish the edges.

Next, cut out a rectangle that will fold over onto itself. Then cut two pieces of conductive Velcro, one piece that is the hook side and the other the loop side, that are slightly smaller than half the size of the fabric.

Comments

[el Viejo]

The individual resistors, regardless whether you connected each resistor to each LED, looks good. More than just a visible string of lights. I'll be looking for the conductive material sometime soon and maybe giving a panel at ARISIA on this for costume and foam work. You'll get all credit for the idea. El Viejo

[rachel]

Nice little switch!