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working 'digg me' tshirt using the digg button kit

intro
step 1
step 2
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step 4
step 5
step 6
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step 9
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step 11
 

introworking 'digg me' tshirt using the digg button kit

A working 'digg me' tshirt made using the digg button kit.





digg me
working digg me tshirt using the digg button kit
IMG_4000.jpgEK3V6LDF7AVJ9P4_tech.jpg
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step 1Introduction/Inspirations

I wanted a project that was related to digg, I can't exactly remember how I came up with a working 'digg me' tshirt, but it might have been while I was browsing the digg bu…


step 2Research

There was quite a large amount of research undertaken to make this project. The research was mainly to do with making wearable electronic circuits.The following is a list o…


step 3Materials/Equipment

the following materials were used to construct the working 'digg me' tshirt:1x large plain white Bonds tshirt, purchased from local department store $8.801x A4 sheet of iro…


step 4Prototyping

I was unsure if the new 1.5" 7-segment displays would work okay with the digg button kit. I was worried that the current draw would be too much for the microprocessor and h…


step 5Designing the digg logo

The digg logo was constructed in Adobe Illustrator using the logo found on digg.com as a reference. All colours were matched precisely and the gradients were quite close…


step 6Fabric switch

The fabric switch was quite a challenge, I initially researched touch switches and capacitive switches, but it turns out the simplest fabric switch was made by sandwiching …


step 7Sewing the electrical 'tracks'

I decided to use conductive thread over wires as this would make the tshirt more wearable. It turned out there were some positive and negatives about using conductive threa…


step 8Applying the iron-on transfer

Applying the iron-on transfer was quite straight forward. The procedure is as follows: 1. print the design on the iron-on transfer paper with an ink-jet printer, the de…


step 9Wiring (or threading)

This was the most tedious part, and I was quite surprised when it worked straight away.I used an idea I read on Leah Buechley's website where crimping beads were soldered t…


step 10Finishing it all up

A piece of foam was placed around the 7-segment display with the idea to make it more comfortable to wear. After wearing the tshirt it was realised that the foam was too ob…


step 11Final photos and videos of the working 'digg me' tshirt.

Final photos and videos.


46 comments
Jan 24, 2009. 9:12 PMKopolis777 says:
Do you really need the led displays? Can't you just use the digg kit display?
Jan 24, 2009. 9:42 PMKopolis777 says:
NVM i see why now.
Sep 23, 2008. 9:23 PMLego man says:
I digg this
Jan 12, 2008. 6:15 PMJr Hacking kid says:
how about washing to t shirt ?
Sep 11, 2008. 9:42 PMDerin says:
remove batteries,hand wash(NO MACHINE WASH),dry to the point it is dry as your computer,install batteries,VOILA
Jul 3, 2008. 7:53 PMxtank5 says:
I would make the electronics removable (with Velcro). Then I would just remove the electronics before washing it. A simple and elegant solution.
Jun 26, 2009. 4:34 PMrak says:
that is a good idea. However, i would use a series of headers to be able to easily connect/disconnect the pcb from the kit... other than that, the displays, resistors, and other components used should not be affected by water. if the board from the kit is sewed into the shirt, though, at least remove the microcontroller before washing.
Jan 13, 2008. 6:37 AMthydzik (author) says:
washing is the only problem, I don't wear it that often though.

bit of Febreze maybe? :P
Jul 6, 2008. 10:23 AMtimmy1234s says:
How do i build the circuit in Step 4!??!?!?!
Jul 6, 2008. 4:52 PMthydzik (author) says:
the circuit in step 4 is just the digg button kit.

schematic available here

May 29, 2008. 7:18 AMll0ll says:
anybody have a source of conduictive thread in the UK?

I have a few ideas which require it, and cannot find it anywhere
May 29, 2008. 4:08 PMthydzik (author) says:
http://members.shaw.ca/ubik/thread/order.html

ship internationally

May 30, 2008. 12:42 AMll0ll says:
thank you!
May 29, 2008. 2:45 PMarchammer says:
really cool, just looks a bit complicated.

you should try getting digg to sponsor you making and selling these shirts, id buy one
May 29, 2008. 5:44 AMchicks dig me says:
friggin awesome!anybody whos listening(technically reading)has got to try this
May 26, 2008. 8:19 AMPamelaWeir says:
This is awesome. Sadly, I'm the only one in my offline circle who would even understand the joke.
Jan 12, 2008. 6:54 PMEinsteins Circuitry says:
Could you re-program it to do other things as well? Or does the kit come pre-programmed?
Jan 13, 2008. 6:35 AMthydzik (author) says:
The kit comes pre-programmed. but yes, you could re-program to do other things.
Oct 9, 2007. 11:43 PMArtisticBabe says:
This is a really great project. :) I like how its interactive, plus its an amazing conversation starter. What happens when the number reaches 999? Resets?

Do you really think it belongs in the DIY Halloween though?
Oct 11, 2007. 11:21 PMthydzik (author) says:
Thanks!

Whilst I have never actually had it past 999, I am assuming it would reset, or you would need to manually reset it by holding down the button (a feature of the dig button kit)

About the Halloween group, whilst it could possibly be classified as a costume. I thought I would add it to the group anyway.
Jan 12, 2008. 6:22 PMLabot2001 says:
you're pretty cool if you get that many diggs tho ;]
Oct 12, 2007. 6:15 AMThe Gentle Sherpa says:
This definitely belongs in the Halloween group. In that same spirit, I could see this making nerd-flirting even more fun as a 'hot or not' button. I really hope someone uses this idea!
Jan 12, 2008. 5:44 PMalvincredible says:
LOL that was cool. man, i want one! good work.
Dec 5, 2007. 4:37 PMArtLizard says:
I DIG IT!
Very COOL!

Oct 24, 2007. 7:06 PMzuixro says:
Ha Ha, this is hilarious. I love digg. Great instructable by the way.
Oct 7, 2007. 10:06 AM!Andrew_Modder! says:
thats awesome! but, if i wore it in my school no1 would have any f'in idea wtf it was lol :-( saad. lol but go to a geek convention and youd get crap load o diggs lol :-D nice instructable!!
Oct 19, 2007. 4:16 AMHIGHVOLTAGE-Z says:
ditto
Oct 12, 2007. 2:57 PMTrebawa says:
Same here, unfortunately.
Oct 20, 2007. 7:54 PMbbisme says:
yea, same here
all the ppl @ school only go to facebook and myspace when they get on the internet...im the only one on indie places or other...
Oct 9, 2007. 9:07 AMbtop says:
Where is the conductive fabric from?
Oct 9, 2007. 5:15 PMthydzik (author) says:
I didn't use any conductive fabric; I am not sure where it can be purchased from.

As a substitute for conductive fabric; I basically covered a normal piece of fabric with conductive thread, which made one side of the fabric conductive. This can be seen in step 6 Fabric switch .

You may also have some success with aluminium foil.

Oct 10, 2007. 8:48 AMbtop says:
Sorry, I have to learn to read things properly before asking dumb questions.
Oct 8, 2007. 11:04 PMWard_Nox says:
JiNX sells a kit to make the Digg button thats very close to what you linked to for the Digg it button

Digg Button

not bad price wise either its 14.99 +s/h (vs. the time to get the parts from other sources this isn't a bad price)

Oct 9, 2007. 5:09 PMthydzik (author) says:
I have a feeling adafruit is the official seller, as it it linked from the official digg button site.

adafruit lists it as $15, and also the PCB and cover which can be bought individually.

plus, $1 from each kit sale goes straight to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), an organization that supports online rights.

Oct 8, 2007. 12:52 PMgorgo333 says:
the only problem I can see is the fact that you can't wash it.
Oct 8, 2007. 9:45 PMthydzik (author) says:
correct, you may be able to hand wash it, but generally you don't want any of the electronics to get wet as it may corrode.
Oct 8, 2007. 9:25 PMthatkidej says:
This is freakin awesome, nice work!
Oct 7, 2007. 11:43 PMmiko says:
THIS MAN IS A GOD! A GOD AMONGST MEN!
seriously, good job mate (i love the thumbs up after being dug
Oct 7, 2007. 7:28 PMIamTheCreator says:
Haha nice! Hopefully not too many strangers come and touch you though...might spread the flu somehow..lol
Oct 7, 2007. 7:05 PMoskay says:
Nice work!
Oct 7, 2007. 11:19 AMCameronSS says:
COOL!!!
Nice concept, well executed, and well documented. +1! My only recommendation is to use screen printing instead of iron-on transfer paper. It would be more durable, and look better.

Oct 7, 2007. 5:07 PMthydzik (author) says:
Thanks.

Screen printing would be more durable, but it is also time consuming and relatively more expensive (the iron-on transfer was only $3).

It would be quite difficult to screen print a gradient that the digg logo has as well.
Oct 7, 2007. 5:24 PMCameronSS says:
Oh yeah. I didn't catch the gradient. Great job, anyway!
Oct 7, 2007. 11:40 AMbtop says:
I want one! I have to make one! great job and well described. could you post the edited digg logo?

Oct 7, 2007. 5:03 PMthydzik (author) says:
Thanks.

edited digg logo on step 5 , includes Adobe Illustrator files and a png.

Oct 7, 2007. 11:23 AMDeusXMachina says:
That is so geektacular and awesome! I'm gonna have to go make interactive clothing now...

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