Introduction: Needle Felting Conductive Fabric
Conductive fabric is a great tool for switches and circuits, but is t pretty?
Not so much.
Needle felting provides a way to make conductive fabric that fits your aesthetic and your resistance.
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Not so much.
Needle felting provides a way to make conductive fabric that fits your aesthetic and your resistance.
Want more eTextile How-To DIY eTextile videos, tutorials and projects?
Then visit The eTextile Lounge!
Step 1: Gather Your Parts
Step 2: Conductive Thread Roving
As I mentioned in the prior step I made my own conductive rovings.
I had conductive thread samples from Shieldex that were not suitable for sewing as they are 'air spun'.
I made quick work of shredded this thread apart with my fingers and a scissor.
Shieldex also sells conductive filler. I have not used this product, but from the description it sounds similar to roving.
Step 3: Layer Fiberous Design
Begin by placing a layer of wool roving on the needle felting pad.
Layer with conductive roving and repeat.
Step 4: Punch the Needle
Once you have the shape and layers you desire use the needle punch to secure the fibers to one another.
Step 5: Test Resistance
Using your multimeter test the resistance of your project to be sure it works with your aesthetic and electrical design standards.
Step 6: Final Product
Three tulips of varying resistance.
Making conductive fabric is a trial and error art form depending upon the types of roving, how densely the product is felted and your desired end use of the product. use your multimeter as you felt and the results can be spectacular.
