LED T-shirt

T-shirts may be a staple for just about everybody, but they are kind of boring. Time to make a custom T-shirt using commonly found electronics and fabric! You can easily use the methods shown here to make your own custom shirt in with just about any lighting scheme you can think of. Best of all, you'll be able to supply your own light when it's dark, perfect for parties or when the power goes out!

This shirt uses a cheap rechargeable key chain flashlight for the LED's and power supply, and fabric scraps for the embellishments. This project is simple enough for anyone to try, but does require some patience. Trust me, when you see your results come to life it's all worth it. Ready to make your own?

Enough talk, let's light up a T-shirt!

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Step 1: Tools + materials

tools:

soldering iron
glue gun
scissors
sharp utility knife
scrap wood
sewing machine

materials

scrap fabric (pink + another colour that contrasts with your t-shirt)
zipper
hook + loop fasteners (velcro)
fabric adhesive
LED's
small solar-powered flashlight
conductive thread / flexible electrical wire
paperclip

StuffStephMakes says: Sep 30, 2012. 5:32 PM

Haha! This is so great!! :)

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ChrysN says: Nov 17, 2011. 4:15 PM

I love it, especially that it is solar powered it would be great to wear when you're camping.

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mikeasaurus (author) in reply to ChrysNNov 21, 2011. 12:23 AM

I have a hair-brained scheme for some kind of ninja jumpsuit using this idea that may be useful when camping. Any suggestions for version 2.0?

rfelix ruiz says: Nov 20, 2011. 12:26 PM

I've just inspired to do a explorer kit o t-shirt.... thanks a lot... I fact I had though to do something similar but I didn't know how to supply energy to the circuit... it's really interesting your solution.

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mikeasaurus (author) in reply to rfelix ruizNov 20, 2011. 12:43 PM

So great to hear you're inspired by this project, I would love to see your results when you're done!

ilpug says: Nov 19, 2011. 1:21 PM

Now THAT is what I call a party shirt. Can it be washed?

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mikeasaurus (author) in reply to ilpugNov 19, 2011. 1:59 PM

Yes! The entire electronic assembly can easily be removed for washing, that's the idea!

ilpug in reply to mikeasaurusNov 19, 2011. 3:55 PM

Oops. yet another classic example of why i should read the text entirely before i comment, instead of just looking at the pretty pictures. Nice shirt!

depotdevoid says: Nov 17, 2011. 7:42 AM

This is ridiculous, but in a good way! It's like if your gimp mask had a baby with the LED pasties!

I didn't know about that sewing glue stuff, I should probably look into it. I'm very unskilled with the sewing machine, I imagine having everything glued in place before sewing would be very useful!

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jessyratfink in reply to depotdevoidNov 17, 2011. 8:00 AM

Hahaha, that is one weird baby.

wilgubeast in reply to jessyratfinkNov 17, 2011. 9:19 AM

It's adorable in an offbeat sort of way.

Wearing it, I imagine you'll get to point to your eyes and exasperatedly exclaim, "I'm up here!"

depotdevoid in reply to wilgubeastNov 17, 2011. 10:07 AM

Well, Mike certainly has a nice pair of headlights.

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mikeasaurus (author) in reply to depotdevoidNov 17, 2011. 10:28 AM

Umm..thank you?

wilgubeast in reply to mikeasaurusNov 17, 2011. 11:00 AM

Flag as inappropriate?

bajablue in reply to wilgubeastNov 18, 2011. 1:30 PM

Blatant sexual harassment. ;-)

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mikeasaurus (author) in reply to wilgubeastNov 17, 2011. 11:11 AM

No, no; it's just that my headlights aren't used to so much attention!

andycyca says: Nov 17, 2011. 12:28 PM

Insert "flashing" joke.

Nice work sir, gives me a lot of ideas!

susanrm says: Nov 16, 2011. 8:46 PM

I think that would be weird for a girl to wear, unless you moved the LED's. Cool project, though. :-)

Stephanefalies in reply to susanrmNov 17, 2011. 2:31 AM

Lol! I can just imagine the amount of times guys would reply "Nice headlights!" or something along those lines in that situation. It would be amusing.