Harmony Art's "let it grow" print, made of certified organic cotton, looks fun and is guilt-free!

Earth Day was last month. Did you completely space out and forget? That’s okay. It’s not too late to make “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” your daily mantra.

Let’s start with your wearable tech projects by bringing some green to your fabric choices. You can go three ways: sustainable textiles, repurposed clothes, and up-cycled materials. We’ll address sustainable textiles in this post.

These days sustainable textiles are all the rage, from luxury fashions to low-end basics. Linda Loudermilk creates high-end clothes from “sasawashi, bamboo, sea cell, soya and other exotic self-sustaining plants.” H&M’s Garden Collection, made from organic and recycled textiles, launched this spring.  Even Walmart boarded the sustainable train by making their “Faded Glory private label line more sustainable.” Music and Sons makes t-shirts from bamboo and organic cotton. They step up the coolness factor by wiring up the t-shirt with an ipod and earphone jacks making it possible to rock out, look fabulous, and be eco-friendly all at the same time.

One of the things I love about the online crafting and the DIY community is our ability to help each other. Right now, a good friend is working on an amazing project to make an open source jacquard loom. What this means is that the software and hardware to control the loom will be designed for the general public and free for all. This technology can help craftsman in developing countries, give artists and local fashion designers control over their own woven designs, and give educational institutions the ability to afford and customize a loom to their needs. This idea is revolutionary.

Be a part of the OSLOOM revolution! Go to Kickstarter, and support OSLOOM. There are some really great prizes for donating to this cause. (more after the break)

According to their maker, Becky Stern, these designs are called Body-Technology Interfaces and they are created for “privacy, warmth, and concentration in public spaces.” I understand that these designs are supposed to be funny commentary on how our computer devices are taking over our lives. I'm just not sure if these cozy techno-covers are a serious DIY project for the geek on the go, or if they would be better displayed in a WTF (What The Frank) technology post. I leave it for you to decide.

Hi Kittens!  I am getting ready for the Smart Fabrics Conference where I am holding a workshop in DIY electronic craft. This is a big event and I have not had time to post. Hopefully this DIY and video of the tilt/touch switch that I made for the workshop will keep you from having Switch withdrawal.

Here is how it works: The string of beads in the middle has a conductive bead on the end. This bead carries the power and as it turns and moves on the conductive fabric pieces the corresponding LEDs light up. Simple but powerful! What can you make with this idea? 

Materials:

• conductive fabric
• LED Sequins
• regular craft beads
• conductive thread
• 3V battery holder
• one large silver bead.

NOTE: In the video I had small silver beads and they didn't work too well, I added the larger one later.

Fabric Tilt Switch from iHeartSwitch on Vimeo.

This is not your grandma's quilt! Last week in Rio de Janeiro, participants at the Clube de Idéias created 64 interactive patches for Aniomagic's interactive quilt workshop. The participants were passersbys who stopped for a few minutes to sew, iron, decorate, or program. The patches often have many authors, combining skills and styles to create a truly unique interactive artifact. Each patch has a mimeolight, a light you program with flashlight or waving of your hands, which makes it easily programmed and personalized. (Images after the break)

Go to Aniomagic's website to find out more!

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

[Above: Syuzi and Alison meeting for the first time at Maker Faire in 2006]

After four years, Syuzi Pakhchyan and I were finally able to get together and host our own talk about girls in technology. The talk was called “Duh… Its Like Tech for Girls <3" and it was presented as a core converation at SXSW Interactive 2010. We were joined by many audience members, who were passionate about igniting that tech spark in girls, teens, and women.

Congratulations to Jane Larson from Ann Arbor, Michigan!

Jane holding up her prize winnings, a signed copy of Switch Craft and a swatch of Luminex lighted fabric. She plans to incorporate the fabric into a little black dress she's making along with some LEDs.

We want to thank everyone who took the survey. We have new projects and posts planned to incorporate your feedback, so be sure to stay tuned!

As promised, here is a more robust update to the Rodarte's light-up heels that was posted two weeks ago. I used the LED sequins from Aniomagic, you can find them here. The battery pack is from Switch Craft, the materials below account for this. You can use a different battery holder if you like, both  Aniomagic and Lilypad's battery holders work well.

Syuzi Pakhchyan of Fashioning Technology and I are joining forces at SXSW and hosting a session called “Duh…It’s Like Tech for Girls <3.” Here is the information: 

Duh ... It's Like Tech for Girls <3

SXSW Interactive, Austin, TX

Monday, March 15, 11am, ACC 7

Shannon of PolyMath Design Lab  is a 30-year old designer in Oregon and a follower if I Heart Switch. I found her through her comments on this blog and was just facinated by what I found. Not only is she a talented designer in jewelry and unique products, Shannon has been playing around with her first electronic skirt (as you see above). I decided we must interview Shannon and let everyone on Switch see what an amazing project can be done by a first time electronic fashion crafter. The interview, video of the skirt, and more images are after the Break.