---
title: 10 Years of LilyPad E-Textile Projects
description: Explore the world of e-textiles and sewable electronics through these projects created with LilyPad.
image: https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/October%202017/20110216beegame1.jpg
---

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# 10 Years of LilyPad E-Textile Projects

BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 10/10/17 6:28 AM

[0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/10-years-of-lilypad-e-textile-projects#comments-listing)

[Maker Education](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education), [e-textiles](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/e-textiles), [STEAM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/steam)

![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/Feb%202017/Cool%20Hemmings.jpg)

As we at SparkFun take a look back at the past 10 years of [sewable electronics](https://sparkfuneducation.com/lilypad), it’s exciting to see how far this world has come. From humble beginnings as the research focus of creator Leah Buechley’s Ph.D. thesis to a comprehensive product line used by schools and clubs across the country, [LilyPad](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/products/e-textiles.html) is changing the way we view and teach electronics. To inspire your creations, let’s take a look at some of the expressive, interactive projects that the maker community has created over the years.  

## Climate Dress (2009)

 

 

[This project](http://www.diffus.dk/climate-dress/) proves that wearable tech can be both functional and beautiful.

“The Climate Dress is made of conductive embroidery, over hundreds of tiny LED lights inserted into the embroidery, a CO2 sensor and an Arduino LilyPad microprocessor. The LEDs visualize the level of CO2 in the nearby surroundings and are powered through the embroidery.”

## MapBag - Haptic GPS (2011)

[![MapBag](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/October%202017/tumblr_lmqq1ybQ121qaya7p.jpg?width=320&name=tumblr_lmqq1ybQ121qaya7p.jpg "MapBag")](http://www.joshbillions.org/post/3974357210/mapbag)Photo Credit: [joshbillions.org](http://www.joshbillions.org/post/3974357210/mapbag)

[This messenger bag](http://www.joshbillions.org/post/3974357210/mapbag) makes it easy for cyclists to find their way to a new destination. By connecting some haptic motors, a LilyPad and the GPS feature of an iPhone, the bag provides haptic feedback to keep the user on course and headed in the right direction.

## BeeSim (2011)

[![BeeSim](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/October%202017/20110216beegame1.jpg?width=320&name=20110216beegame1.jpg "BeeSim")](https://makezine.com/2011/02/16/beesim-game-using-lilypad-and-xbee/)Photo Credit: [makezine.com](https://makezine.com/2011/02/16/beesim-game-using-lilypad-and-xbee/)

[This fun game](https://makezine.com/2011/02/16/beesim-game-using-lilypad-and-xbee/) was created by a group from Indiana University to teach students about complexity theory and pollination. Children wear a bee puppet on their wrists and must collect nectar from flowers and return it to the hive in a set amount of time.

## Sonar “Watch” (2014)

[![Sonar Watch](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/October%202017/Sonar-assisted-human-navigation.jpg?width=320&name=Sonar-assisted-human-navigation.jpg "Sonar Watch")](https://inhabitat.com/researchers-develop-60-sonar-watch-to-aid-the-visually-impaired/)Photo Credit: *[Wake Forest University](http://news.wfu.edu/2014/11/14/sonar-assisted-human-navigation/)*

By combining a LilyPad board with sonar distance sensors and two vibrating motors, a group of students was able to [create a watch-like device](http://inhabitat.com/researchers-develop-60-sonar-watch-to-aid-the-visually-impaired/) that allows visually impaired wearers to navigate their environment more easily.

## Musical Bear (2016)

 

 

Combining toy hacking with lights and music, this [musical bear project](https://www.hackster.io/Tahani2016/musical-bear-630c2a) turns an ordinary teddy bear into one that plays music and performs a light show at the push of a button.

## Hand Warmers (2017)

 

 

For all those cold winter days, [these hand warmers](https://cart412winter2017.tumblr.com/) are there to keep your fingers cozy and warm. Designed as a more fashionable alternative to medical devices used to help people who suffer from extreme cold sensitivity, these fingerless gloves are stylish enough to be worn by anyone.

These are just a few of the amazing and inspiring projects we see every day incorporating LilyPad technology. Have you or your students seen or created a project with a LilyPad board? Tell us about it in the comments below.

[![Explore LilyPad](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2224003/295ac3ce-6f0e-403e-b4ab-0947b8295a0e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2224003/295ac3ce-6f0e-403e-b4ab-0947b8295a0e)

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