Introduction: Musical Ribbon Medal

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We are going to create a ribbon medal attached to a CPX circuit that emits light and sound. This craft will require some basic sewing and coding skills, but it would be still rather fun and simple without having prior experience. So I encourage everyone to give this project a try!

Supplies

Here is the list of tools and materials required for this project:

  1. Sewing thread
  2. Sewing needle
  3. Ribbon strip
  4. Fabric
  5. Scissors
  6. Pen
  7. Velcro strips
  8. Super glue
  9. Laptop
  10. Adapter (may or may not be used)

For the circuit, I recommend you buy the Adafruit Circuit Playground Express - Base kit. The kit contains:

  1. Circuit
  2. Small AAA alkaline batteries
  3. Connecting cables
  4. Battery pack

Here's the link for the base kit:

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/3517/7310915

This is the link to the coding website we will use:

https://makecode.adafruit.com/

Step 1: Making the Code

As seen above, these are the codes constructed together to create the light and sound effects for your circuit. You can either make your own code following the image above or copy the Javascript of the code.

Here's the Javascript code:

input.buttonB.onEvent(ButtonEvent.Click, function () {

for (let i = 0; i < 4; i++) {

music.magicWand.play()

light.setBrightness(255)

light.showRing(

`orange red white pink purple blue green yellow orange red`

)

}

})


Once you have the code, connect the cable to the circuit and your laptop. An adapter may be needed. Download the code. Once finished and drag the file into the disc (CPLAYBOOT) that automatically appears after downloading. Now the code is loaded in your circuit.

Step 2: Making the Ruffles

Now, we're making the ruffles for the ribbon medal. This is a simplified version for first-time makers, but there might be better techniques out there that can give you a better look. You will require your ribbon strip, a ruler, pen, needle, and thread.

  1. Place your ruler on the ribbon strip along the edge, take your pen and mark every 1cm. Continue marking up until the length reaches 35cm. Cut off any excess
  2. With your needle and thread, create a running stitch, inserting the needle through the points marked on the ribbon.
  3. Begin to scrunch the ribbon strip to create a ruffle effect, and continue to adjust to your liking
  4. Before sewing the ends together, make sure the circuit fits nicely in the middle and the ruffles are visible and in place
  5. Sew the two ends together


Step 3: Making the Medal

Now we're going to construct the face of the medal, sew in the strap, and small details. You're going to need fabric, your circuit, a pen, scissors, a needle, and thread.

  1. Place your circuit on top of the fabric and using the pen, trace the outline of the circuit on the fabric. Cut out the circle.
  2. Sew the circular fabric onto the ruffles, this will be a place for your circuit to go on.
  3. Sew the strap for the neck and ribbon pieces onto the fabric.
  4. Lastly, attach the circuit to the medal, place the circuit fitted on the fabric and sew from the edges

Step 4: Attaching the Battery Pack

From the kit, you should be provided with 3 small AAA Alkaline batteries and a battery pack. Insert the batteries into the pack and close up. To connect and attach the pack to the medal, you'll need velcro strips and super glue.

  1. Cut two small pieces of velcro that can be attached to one another
  2. Superglue one strip on the back of the medal
  3. Superglue the second strip onto the back of the battery pack.
  4. Connect the wire from the pack to the circuit and attach the pack to the back of the medal using the velcros
  5. Switch on the battery pack and test it out!