# No-Sew LED Wristband ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/065/331/medium800/leds_0-Sequins_Band.jpg?1541646073) The classic light-up LED felt wristband project is a great way for beginners to learn about switches. To turn it on, you connect the ends into a loop that closes the circuit. Traditionally, the fastener is a metal snap connected to the battery and LED with conductive thread. But learning to work with conductive thread can take time, even for those who already know how to sew. Peel-and-stick conductive fabric tape to the rescue! This no-sew version is quick and kid-friendly. It's also inexpensive enough to do with an entire class, because the battery holder is part of the fabric closure. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/065/652/medium800/leds_0-Electronics.jpg?1542046079) ## Playing with LED Options Since this project is so simple, you might want to try it with different types of LEDs for different effects. You can even add more than one light to the parallel circuit -- as long as they are all the same kind of LED. I have included directions for standard LEDs (the kind with two long wires, known as leads), Chibitronics Circuit Stickers, and Adafruit Sequins. Here are a few more things to keep in mind: - If you want to use different color standard LEDs together, give them the "throwie" test first. (A throwie is the simplest kind of LED circuit -- just a light and a battery.) Take the LEDs and slide them over the edge of the coin battery. Make sure the positive lead (usually the longer one) for each LED is on the positive side of the battery (marked with a "+"). If they all light up, you're good. In some color combinations, a few LEDs may look a bit dimmer, but still work. With other combinations, one or more LEDs may not work at all. For the example here, I used flashing LEDs for extra pizzazz. - Both the Adafruit LED Sequins and the Chibitronics Circuit Stickers have on-board resistors so you can use different colors together. However, you should still test them by placing them on the conductive tape before fastening them down "permanently." (It's not that hard to peel off the tape if needed.) - Adafruit Sequins can be held onto the project with the peel-and-stick conductive tape, but for added security, use the optional Z-axis tape on the back of each one. (See directions for details.) ## Suggested Parts List -- Electronics For each wristband, you'll need some conductive fabric tape, a 3-volt coin battery like the CR2032, and one or more LEDs (all of the same variety). I also recommend Z-axis conductive tape for holding the battery on when the wristband is open and for attaching Adafruit LED Sequins. ### Part: Conductive Nylon Fabric Tape - 5mm Wide x 10 meters long quantity: 1 This Conductive Nylon tape doesn't crack when bent or twisted, so you can make all sorts of odd shapes and paths without worrying about broken traces. It comes with conductive glue on the opposite side, so you can tape it directly to capacitive pads. It's low resistance, only a few ohms per foot -- not quite as conductive as copper tape, but you can definitely power small components with it. You can't solder it, but you can sew it! [Conductive Nylon Fabric Tape - 5mm Wide x 10 meters long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3961) ### Part: Diffused 5mm Fast Flashing RGB LED - 10 pack quantity: 1 Inside these LEDs is a little chip programmed to cycle through every color at a fixed rate for a fun flashing effect. [Diffused 5mm Fast Flashing RGB LED - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/680) ### Part: Diffused 5mm Slow Fade Flashing RGB LED - 10 pack quantity: 1 Same as above, but the colors change more slowly! Inside these LEDs is a little chip programmed to cycle through every color at a fixed rate for a fun flashing effect. [Diffused 5mm Slow Fade Flashing RGB LED - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/679) ### Part: CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery quantity: 1 This non-rechargeable coin cell is CR2032 sized: 20mm diameter, 3.2mm thick. It has a nominal voltage output of 3V (although it starts a little high at 3.2V and slowly drifts down to 2.5V as it is used. The capacity is 220mAh assuming a draw of constant .2mA. [CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654) ### Part: Adafruit LED Sequins - Multicolor Pack of 5 quantity: 1 Sew a little sparkle into your wearable project with an Adafruit LED Sequin. They only show a single color and they don't have digital control, but that makes them easier to use. You get one each of the following colors, matched with a resistor: warm white, ruby red, royal blue, emerald green, and rose pink. [Adafruit LED Sequins - Multicolor Pack of 5](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3377) ### Part: Chibitronics Color LEDs Add-On Pack quantity: 1 Circuit stickers are an imaginative and easy way to make fun electronics projects without coding, soldering, or experience. The stickers are super lightweight, thin, and flexible. They're perfect for educators, artists, and novices. This pack contains 10 Red, 10 Yellow, and 10 Blue LED stickers. [Chibitronics Color LEDs Add-On Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1976) ### Part: 3M Z-Axis Conductive Tape quantity: 1 Z-axis tape by 3M can bond two conductive surfaces together and allow a small (under 100mA) current to flow through the tape. But here's the cool part: it's only conductive across the thickness of the tape itself, not along the length or width! Each order comes with a strip of 2" x 6" tape, enough for several projects. Just cut out the size you need and save the rest. [3M Z-Axis Conductive Tape](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1656) ## Suggested Materials List -- Household and Crafts Supplies I used felt to make the wristband itself because it's easy to find, cheap, and doesn't fray. To make the wristband thick enough to stay closed, I doubled it with a layer of peel-and-stick felt. (See the directions for details.) - strip of felt about 2 inches wide and long enough to fit loosely around your wrist, adding about 1.5 inch of overlap (generally between 6 and 10 inches long) - strip of peel-and-stick felt the same size - adhesive dots (non-conductive -- like the kind used in scrapbooking) - electrical tape - extra scraps of felt for decoration - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/no-sew-led-wristband/make-the-felt-wristband.md) ## Featured Products ### Conductive Nylon Fabric Tape - 5mm Wide x 10 meters long [Conductive Nylon Fabric Tape - 5mm Wide x 10 meters long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3961) With our fun assortment of [conductive materials](https://www.adafruit.com/category/190), [cosplay](https://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=category&cPath=290) and [wearables](https://www.adafruit.com/category/65) have never... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3961) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3961/guides) ### CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery [CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654) A perfect match for our [sew-able coin cell holder](http://www.adafruit.com/products/653). This non-rechargeable coin cell is CR2032 sized: 20mm diameter, 3.2mm thick. It has a nominal voltage output of 3V (although it starts a little high at 3.2V and slowly drifts down to 2.5V as... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/654/guides) ### Diffused 5mm Slow Fade Flashing RGB LED - 10 pack [Diffused 5mm Slow Fade Flashing RGB LED - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/679) These are very interesting 5mm diffused RGB LEDs - instead of having 4 pins to control 3 LEDs, they have only **two leads** - power and ground. When powered, the LEDs perform a slow fade through the rainbow, from red to orange to yellow, etc till they get back to red. See the... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/679) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/679/guides) ### 3M Z-Axis Conductive Tape 9703 - 2"x6" (50mm x 150mm) Strip [3M Z-Axis Conductive Tape 9703 - 2"x6" (50mm x 150mm) Strip](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1656) When Bunnie showed up at Adafruit with the prototype for his [Chibitronics Circuit Stickers](http://chibitronics.com/) we were all like "How on earth does that work?" and he was all like "Z-Axis tape - Its amazing!" And we agreed, so we decided to get some in our... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1656) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1656/guides) ### Chibitronics Color LEDs Add-On Pack [Chibitronics Color LEDs Add-On Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1976) Make almost any surface glow, sense, or interact with [Chibitronics](http://chibitronics.com/) circuit stickers! Circuit stickers are an imaginative and easy way to make fun electronics projects without coding, soldering, or maker experience. Just stick your circuit sticker... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1976) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1976/guides) ### Adafruit LED Sequins - Multicolor Pack of 5 [Adafruit LED Sequins - Multicolor Pack of 5](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3377) Sew a little sparkle into your wearable project with an Adafruit LED Sequin. These are the kid-sister to our popular [Flora NeoPixel](http://www.adafruit.com/products/1260), they only show a single color and they don't have digital control, but that makes them smaller easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3377) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3377/guides) ### Diffused 5mm Fast Flashing RGB LED - 10 pack [Diffused 5mm Fast Flashing RGB LED - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/680) These are very interesting 5mm diffused RGB LEDs - instead of having 4 pins to control 3 LEDs, they have only **two leads** - power and ground. When powered, the LEDs perform a flashing effect with all the colors. See the video below for the timing and look. There is no way to change the... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/680) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/680/guides) ### Simple pliers [Simple pliers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/146) Simple needlenose pliers for twisting, pulling and pliering your project. In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/146) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/146/guides) ## Related Guides - [CPX Glowing Disembodied Hand](https://learn.adafruit.com/cpx-glowing-disembodied-hand.md) - [DIY Lego LED Bricks](https://learn.adafruit.com/diy-lego-led-bricks.md) - [3D Printed Camera Case for MEMENTO](https://learn.adafruit.com/memento-3d-case.md) - [PiGlass v2](https://learn.adafruit.com/piglass-v2-wearable-raspberry-pi-computer.md) - [Musical Walking Stick with Circuit Playground](https://learn.adafruit.com/musical-cane-walking-stick.md) - [3D Printed Gunblade](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-gunblade.md) - [Remote Control with the Huzzah + Adafruit.io](https://learn.adafruit.com/remote-control-with-the-huzzah-plus-adafruit-io.md) - [Deluxe 4x4 NeoPixel Keypad](https://learn.adafruit.com/deluxe-4x4-neopixel-neokey-keypad.md) - [Steven Universe Cosplay Shirt & Gem](https://learn.adafruit.com/steven-universe-cosplay-shirt-gem.md) - [Make a Guggenhat: Bluetooth-connected wearable NeoPixel marquee hat](https://learn.adafruit.com/guggenhat-bluetooth-le-wearable-neopixel-marquee-scrolling-led-hat-display.md) - [Bunny Ears with MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/bunny-ears-with-makecode.md) - [Trash-Built Robotic Fish](https://learn.adafruit.com/trash-robo-fish.md) - [Superhero Power Plant](https://learn.adafruit.com/superhero-power-plant.md) - [Pokemon Potion USB Battery Pack](https://learn.adafruit.com/pokemon-potion-usb-battery-pack.md) - [Kitty's Flowers - Bluetooth Wearable Brooches - Art by Physicist](https://learn.adafruit.com/flowers-bluetooth-wearable-brooches-art-by-physicist.md)