# Light-Up Angler Fish Embroidery ## Overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWDrLOOkyaQ ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/530/medium800/flora_becky-stern-risa-rose-angler-fish-shorts.jpg?1396867507) This is a very simple FLORA project with no soldering-- a single NeoPixel lights up on an embroidered angler fish on a pair of shorts. The main board is stitched on the front of the design, in the belly of the fish. A snap is used on the fin as a digital switch, triggering a color change in the pixel in the angler's lure. Follow the circuit diagram to stitch up this circuit, and tuck the battery in the pocket. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/469/medium800/flora_*DSC_0409_rbr.jpg?1396866094) Project created with assistance from Risa Rose, photos on this page by Collin Cunningham # Light-Up Angler Fish Embroidery ## Tools & Supplies ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/421/medium800/flora-angler-embroidery-00.jpg?1396865014) Bill of materials: - [FLORA main board](http://www.adafruit.com/products/659) - 1 [FLORA RGB NeoPixel](http://www.adafruit.com/products/1260) - [3xAAA battery pack](http://www.adafruit.com/products/727) or [150mAh LiPo battery](http://www.adafruit.com/products/1317 "Link: http://www.adafruit.com/products/1317") - [Conductive thread](http://www.adafruit.com/products/641) - A single [sew-on snap](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1126) - Standard thread - Embroidry floss in your choice of colors - [Dark blue shorts](http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shorts/chinocotton/PRDOVR~63596/63596.jsp) Sharp scissors are a must! ![flora_scissors.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/493/medium640/flora_scissors.jpg?1396866864) [Conductive thread](http://learn.adafruit.com/conductive-thread "Link: http://learn.adafruit.com/conductive-thread") will carry signal and current from the main board to the pixel lure and connect to the snap switch. ![flora_conductive-thread.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/494/medium640/flora_conductive-thread.jpg?1396866877) An embroidery hoop is critical for a beautiful result and a pleasant experience. For more information on using an embroidery hoop correctly, check out our [Cross Stitch tutorial](http://learn.adafruit.com/cross-stitch/instructions "Link: http://learn.adafruit.com/cross-stitch/instructions"). ![flora_embroidery-hoop.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/495/medium640/flora_embroidery-hoop.jpg?1396866888) Clear nail polish or fray check to seal knots ![flora_clear-nail-polish.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/496/medium640/flora_clear-nail-polish.jpg?1396866899) ![flora_fray-check.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/497/medium640/flora_fray-check.jpg?1396866912) To mark out your circuit use a water-soluble embroidery marker or tailor's chalk. ![flora_marking-pen.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/522/medium640/flora_marking-pen.jpg?1396867358) # Light-Up Angler Fish Embroidery ## Layout & Circuit Diagram ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/523/medium800/flora-angler-embroidery-pattern.jpg?1396867370) **D6** is the data bus for the NeoPixel, **VBATT** and **GND** also connect to + and - on the pixel. A snap is used as a switch-- one half is connected to **GND** and stitched to the body of the fish, and the other to **TX** (aka **D1** , any digital pin will work), and sewn to the back of the fin so you can snap and unsnap it at will. You can print out the fish pattern on transfer paper or just use it as a reference. You an adapt this project for Gemma by changing the button pin to be Digital #0 or #2 and the NeoPixels on Digital #1 - the code will also need adjustments for the new pin connections # Light-Up Angler Fish Embroidery ## Sew Circuit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGtGoPhjmcc Sandwich the pant leg between the two pieces of an embroidery hoop. If your solid piece has a "grip lip," make sure it is facing up. Begin tightening the knob on the outer ring and also pulling the fabric taut in the hoop. ![flora-angler-embroidery-01.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/422/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-01.jpg?1396865052) ![flora-angler-embroidery-03.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/423/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-03.jpg?1396865085) Place your FLORA main board and single pixel on the taut fabric, and sketch out your pattern (or trace ours) with tailor's chalk. Thread a needle with 2-ply conductive thread and pierce the fabric from back to front next to the pad marked D6 on FLORA. Leave a 5" tail at the back of the fabric and make a few stitches through the D6 hole, securing it to the pant leg. ![flora-angler-embroidery-04.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/424/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-04.jpg?1396865119) ![flora-angler-embroidery-05.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/425/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-05.jpg?1396865154) ![flora-angler-embroidery-06.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/426/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-06.jpg?1396865190) End at the back and tie a knot with the working thread and the tail you left at the start. Seal the knot with clear nail polish or fray check. Learn more tips over at our [Conductive Thread](http://learn.adafruit.com/conductive-thread) guide! ![flora-angler-embroidery-07.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/427/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-07.jpg?1396865223) ![flora-angler-embroidery-08.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/428/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-08.jpg?1396865257) Use a running stitch to sew a path with the working thread up the angler's lure to the end. Make a few stitches around the pixel's pad marked with an inward-facing arrow to secure it both electrically and mechanically. make a knot at the back, seal and snip off the tail. ![flora-angler-embroidery-09.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/431/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-09.jpg?1396865366) ![flora-angler-embroidery-10.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/432/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-10.jpg?1396865401) ![flora-angler-embroidery-11.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/433/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-11.jpg?1396865434) ![flora-angler-embroidery-12.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/434/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-12.jpg?1396865466) Repeat to make a connection from VBATT on FLORA to + on the pixel, and likewise from GND to -. You will now have three independant paths sewn from the main board to the pixel. ![flora-angler-embroidery-13.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/435/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-13.jpg?1396865502) ![flora-angler-embroidery-14.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/464/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-14.jpg?1396865918) To make the fin, sew one half of a snap to a small piece of fabric with conductive thread. Knot and seal at the back, then cover the snap by folding the fabric in half. Stitch two lines as shown in plan thread, creating the shape of a fin. Cut off excess fabric about 1/4" from the seam and turn the fin right side out. You should have a long piece of conductive thread coming from the inside of the fin. ![flora-angler-embroidery-17.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/465/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-17.jpg?1396865952) ![flora-angler-embroidery-18.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/466/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-18.jpg?1396865978) ![flora-angler-embroidery-19.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/467/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-19.jpg?1396866013) ![flora-angler-embroidery-20.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/468/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-20.jpg?1396866037) ![flora-angler-embroidery-21.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/470/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-21.jpg?1396866116) Stitch the other half of the snap to the body of the fish (on your shorts) with conductive thread and use a running stitch to connect it to a pad marked GND on FLORA. Line up the snap on the fin and snap together, then stitch the fin to the body with plain thread. Pick up the conductive thread tail coming out of the fin and use it to stitch a path to TX (aka D1, or any digital pin) on FLORA. These two parts will serve as a switch, detectable when you snap and unsnap the fin. ![flora-angler-embroidery-21a.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/471/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-21a.jpg?1396866143) ![flora-angler-embroidery-22.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/472/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-22.jpg?1396866168) ![flora-angler-embroidery-23.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/474/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-23.jpg?1396866230) ![flora-angler-embroidery-24.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/475/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-24.jpg?1396866255) Double check your circuit for stray threads, and get ready to load it with a program that will change the lure's color when you snap the fish's fin. ![flora-angler-embroidery-25.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/476/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-25.jpg?1396866290) # Light-Up Angler Fish Embroidery ## Code Plug in a USB cable to connect the FLORA main board to your computer. Open up the Adafruit Arduino IDE, which you can download from the [Getting Started with FLORA guide](http://learn.adafruit.com/getting-started-with-flora/download-software). First test out your pixel's connections by uploading the sketch in File \>\> Examples \>\> Adafruit\_NeoPixel \>\> strandtest. Then upload the code below to make the pixel change color when the snap is connected/disconnected: ```auto #include // Parameter 1 = number of pixels in strip // Parameter 2 = pin number (most are valid) // Parameter 3 = pixel type flags, add together as needed: // NEO_RGB Pixels are wired for RGB bitstream // NEO_GRB Pixels are wired for GRB bitstream // NEO_KHZ400 400 KHz bitstream (e.g. FLORA pixels) // NEO_KHZ800 800 KHz bitstream (e.g. High Density LED strip) Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(1, 6, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800); const int buttonPin = 1; // the fin snap is connected to FLORA TX, the other half of the snap is conntected to GND int buttonState = 0; // variable for reading the snap status void setup() { strip.begin(); strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off' // initialize the pushbutton pin as an input: pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT); digitalWrite(buttonPin, HIGH); } void loop() { // read the state of the pushbutton value: buttonState = digitalRead(buttonPin); // check if the pushbutton is pressed. // if it is, the buttonState is HIGH: if (buttonState == LOW) { // turn LED on: strip.setPixelColor(0, strip.Color(200, 211, 254)); // color when snap is connected strip.show(); } else { // change LED color strip.setPixelColor(0, strip.Color(250, 0, 0)); // color when snap is disconnected strip.show(); } delay(50); } ``` You an adapt this project for Gemma by changing the button pin to be Digital #0 or #2 and the NeoPixels on Digital #1 - the code will also need adjustments for the new pin connections ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/478/medium800/flora-angler-embroidery-26.jpg?1396866318) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/479/medium800/flora-angler-embroidery-27.jpg?1396866345) # Light-Up Angler Fish Embroidery ## Hand Embroidery ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/480/medium800/flora_Screen_Shot_2013-05-07_at_8.59.54_PM.png?1396866404) Whether you follow our pattern or draw up your own, learn all types of great embroidery stitches at [Needle'nThread](http://www.needlenthread.com/videos)'s website. [Sublime Stitching](http://www.sublimestitching.com/pages/tutorials) also has great tutorials and embroidery kits. Embroidery is is to cross stitch as vector graphics are to raster: you can create various lines and fills to create color effects and texture. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/481/medium800/flora-angler-embroidery-37.jpg?1396866431) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/482/medium800/flora_Screen_Shot_2013-05-07_at_8.47.42_PM.png?1396866506) # Light-Up Angler Fish Embroidery ## Battery Cut a small hole in your shorts next to the JST battery port. Bring the male end of the JST extension cable through the hole from the back of the fabric to the front, then plug it into FLORA. Route the extension cable up to the pocket, in which you should also cut a small hole. You can now plug the battery pack in through the pocket of the shorts! ![flora-angler-embroidery-28.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/483/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-28.jpg?1396866529) ![flora-angler-embroidery-29.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/484/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-29.jpg?1396866554) ![flora-angler-embroidery-30.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/485/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-30.jpg?1396866589) ![flora-angler-embroidery-31.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/486/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-31.jpg?1396866609) Tack down the extension cable on the back of the embroidery, using stitches or just a very few fibers on the fabric to anchor it with plain thread. Stitch along the entire cable, and you can optionally use this same thread to secure the holes you cut at either end with a few whip stitches. We recommend powering this project with our [3xAAA holder](https://www.adafruit.com/products/727). Remove the battery for washing and turn the shorts inside out before washing by hand. Allow to dry thoroughly before plugging the battery back in. For a smaller battery option, try our [tiny lipo battery](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1317 "Link: https://www.adafruit.com/products/1317") and [micro lipo USB charger](http://www.adafruit.com/products/1304 "Link: http://www.adafruit.com/products/1304"). Be sure to heed all safety warnings about lithium polymer batteries and do not use them unless you are comfortable with power supplies. ![flora-angler-embroidery-32.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/487/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-32.jpg?1396866638) ![flora-angler-embroidery-33.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/488/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-33.jpg?1396866670) ![flora-angler-embroidery-35.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/489/medium640/flora-angler-embroidery-35.jpg?1396866701) ![flora_Screen_Shot_2013-05-07_at_9.58.02_PM.png](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/490/medium640/flora_Screen_Shot_2013-05-07_at_9.58.02_PM.png?1396866802) Info: # Light-Up Angler Fish Embroidery ## Wear it! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/491/medium800/flora_DSC_0409_rbr.jpg?1396866827) This basic project can take you far-- try changing up the code to animate the pixel or add more snap switches! We hope this introductory project will inspire your own wearable electronics project. Please share yours in our weekly [Show and Tell on Google+](http://adafru.it/showtell)! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/008/492/medium800/flora_DSC_0436_rbr.jpg?1396866853) ## Featured Products ### FLORA - Wearable electronic platform: Arduino-compatible [FLORA - Wearable electronic platform: Arduino-compatible](https://www.adafruit.com/product/659) FLORA is Adafruit's fully-featured wearable electronics platform. It's a round, sewable, Arduino-compatible microcontroller designed to empower amazing wearables projects.FLORA comes with Adafruit's support, [tutorials and...](http://learn.adafruit.com/category/flora) Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/659) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/659/guides) ### Flora RGB Smart NeoPixel version 3 - Pack of 4 [Flora RGB Smart NeoPixel version 3 - Pack of 4](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1260) What's a wearable project without LEDs? Our favorite part of the Flora platform is these tiny smart pixels. Designed specifically for wearables, these updated Flora NeoPixels have ultra-cool technology: these ultra-bright LEDs have a constant-current driver cooked right into the LED... 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This needle set is the only one you'll need for any sort of hand sewing, especially using our conductive thread and wearable electronics parts. Each pack contains 20 gold-eye sharps, with eye sizes ranging from #3 (1.75" long) to #9... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/615) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/615/guides) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ### JST-PH Battery Extension Cable - 500mm [JST-PH Battery Extension Cable - 500mm](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1131) By popular demand, we now have a handy extension cord for all of our JST PH-terminated battery packs (such as our LiIon/LiPoly and 3xAAA holders). One end has a JST-PH compatible socket, and the other end has a matching plug. Between the two, 500mm of color coded wire. Handy for wearable... 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These batteries are good quality at a good price, and work fantastic with any of the kits or projects in the shop that use AAA's. This is a pack of **2 AAA batteries**. These batteries are Alkaline (MnO2) chemistry,... 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