Skirt Full of Stars - Motion reactive skirt with fiber optics

Imagine a skirt that sparkles with a rainbow of colors as you walk, dance, and twirl. The Skirt Full of Stars is an interactive, illuminated garment using the LilyPad Arduino platform, designed to respond to and accentuate the movements of its wearer.

The LilyPad mainboard and power supply are sewn to a purple organza underlayer on a black tulle skirt, with an accelerometer hanging from a ribbon below. The LilyPad translates the movement readings from the accelerometer to colors using tricolor LEDs in the waistband, and sparkling fiber optics are woven through the tulle to disperse the light and create twinkling, color changing stars.

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Step 1: Tools & Materials

Materials needed

* 10 yards black tulle
* 1 yard purple organza or similar sheer fabric
* 2 in. scrap of non-fraying fabric such as leather or felt in a coordinating color
* 1-2 yards black grosgrain ribbon
* Black wide double-fold bias tape
* Conductive thread
* Heavy duty black thread
* 6 RGB LEDs – common cathode
* 1 Lilypad Arduino mainboard
* 1 Lilypad power supply
* 1 Lilypad accelerometer
* 6 in. of 3/16″ heat shrink tubing
* About 200 ft. of fiber optic strands
* Fray-check or washable fabric glue
* Clear silicone-based glue
* Black fabric paint

Tools:

* Sewing Machine (optional, but recommended)
* Needle-nosed pliers
* Wire cutters
* Heat gun
* FTDI connector for programming the Lilypad board
* Computer with Arduino software