# Zipper Switch

## Overview

http://youtu.be/6ViN01uwC4A

Here’s a fun way to make your clothes more interactive-- you can turn a zipper into a switch for activating lights, sounds, and more using stainless steel conductive thread.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/277/medium800/braincrafts_zipper-switch-00.jpg?1416252199)

The switch works like a momentary pushbutton. As the zipper pull travels along the teeth, two pads of conductive thread are bridged, momentarily creating an electrical connection.

This connection can be sensed by a microcontroller like FLORA or GEMMA with an activated interal pullup resistor, or be used in place of a push button in circuits like the TV-B-Gone or audio FX boards.

The zipper switch is not delivering current, and should not be used to drive LEDs-- it's a very weak connection that is only made momentarily and not suitable for more than a few milliamps of current.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/278/medium800/braincrafts_zipper-switch-03.jpg?1416252241)

Find a metal zipper pull, not plastic. If it’s painted, use some sandpaper to sand it off.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/280/medium800/braincrafts_Screen_Shot_2014-11-17_at_2.47.45_PM.png?1416253824)

The teeth of the zipper can be plastic or nylon, so long as the zipper pull is metal!

# Zipper Switch

## Stitch long strands

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/289/medium800thumb/braincrafts_zipper-switch-09.jpg?1448313681)

Use straights stitches to bring two long pieces of conductive thread to the edge of the zipper.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/281/medium800/braincrafts_Screen_Shot_2014-11-17_at_2.50.46_PM.png?1416253900)

You can put 2-ply thread in the bobbin of your sewing machine, then pick up long tails with a needle and hand-stitch the rest.

# Zipper Switch

## Stitch pads near zipper

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/283/medium800thumb/braincrafts_zipper-switch-05.jpg?1448313647)

Build up stitches to make two small pads of thread. They should be close enough together that when the pull goes by, it briefly touches both pads at once.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/282/medium800/braincrafts_Screen_Shot_2014-11-17_at_2.53.36_PM.png?1416254065)

You want the knots away from the zipper, so stitch a bit back and tie off, then seal with a dab of clear nail polish. Let it dry before cutting the thread short.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/285/medium800thumb/braincrafts_zipper-switch-07.jpg?1448313663)

# Zipper Switch

## Attach to circuit

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/286/medium800thumb/braincrafts_zipper-switch-08.jpg?1448313671)

At the other ends of the thread, stitch one to ground and the other to a digital input on your FLORA or GEMMA microcontroller.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/279/medium800/braincrafts_zipper-switch-04.jpg?1416252289)

Don’t forget to activate the internal pull up resistor when you set up your Arduino sketch.

```auto
void setup(){
  pinMode(1, INPUT_PULLUP);

}
```

# Zipper Switch

## Use it!

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/284/medium800thumb/braincrafts_zipper-switch-06.jpg?1448313659)

It acts like a momentary switch. You can use a zipper switch in place of a pushbutton, like in this TV-B-Gone jacket.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/021/287/medium800/braincrafts_Screen_Shot_2014-11-17_at_5.40.10_PM.png?1416264051)

I stitched this a few years ago with silver conductive thread, and it’s tarnished. That’s why we carry only stainless steel thread! It’s a little more expensive but will last a lot longer.


## Related Guides

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- [Magic Wand](https://learn.adafruit.com/magic-wand.md)
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- [Making Wearable Badge Art with Printed Circuit Boards](https://learn.adafruit.com/making-wearable-badge-art-with-printed-circuit-boards.md)
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- [No-Sew Cotton Face Mask with a Window](https://learn.adafruit.com/no-sew-cotton-face-mask-with-a-window.md)