This is how to make Stitch Synth! With 10 modules, each with its own circuit, and mostly hand-sewn, it took me about 2.5 months to design, and two (very long) weeks to make the final version. If you have zero experience with both electronics and e-textiles, this might not be the project for you - at the end of this page I'll link to a few starter projects that'll get you going.
## What you need to know
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* Embroidery machine - for the Maryam module. You can also sew this one by hand, but using an embroidery machine is quicker (and fun!).
## Things you'll need (aka bill of materials)
[need a picture of the components here]
If you're like me, looking at a long list of materials needed for a project often makes you sigh and wonder if it's worth the hassle of trying to find all those things. So I've split this list into categories and had added a few links. Also, if you've never attempted to buy components from an electronics website before and don't know where to start, I've compiled some advice for you at the end of this page.
### Textile things
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## Hand cutting
The pink and purple fake leather I bought turned out to be unsuitable for laser cutting, as we did a [flame test](https://www.nycresistor.com/2008/08/28/how-to-identify-polymers-with-burnination/) - burning a little bit of the fabric showed blue flames, which means there's something in there that's going to release toxic gas if laser cut. However, I still really wanted to use these fabrics, so I hand cut them! If you look closely you can tell that they are not as precisely cut as the laser cut pieces ☉‿⊙
# SEWING CIRCUITS
Although each module has its own circuit, they share a lot of the same techniques and components.
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## Applying the snaps
I used press-on snaps to connect the modules together. You could also use sew-on snaps (although they'll be more time consuming!), conductive velcro, or other kinds of metal / conductive fasteners. What's important here is that they connect together well - loose or weak connections = poorly functioning circuits. As these are part of the circuits - making electrical connections between the modules, it's important that they're securely applied.
[diagram?]
# Modules
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* Sew the battery wires down, connect them to power and ground traces
The jack socket on the Amplifier module is soldered on. For an earlier prototype version I sewed the jack socket in place, but wasn't happy with how secure it was.
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This module was created using parametric design (Grasshopper for Rhino), and sewn using an embroidery machine. I've documented the process of designing the pattern, and the maths behind it [here](https://class.textile-academy.org/2019/jessica.stanley/projects/project_diary/week05/#exploring-space-filling-curve-designs-for-resistors), and instructions for machine embroidery [here](https://class.textile-academy.org/2019/jessica.stanley/projects/project_diary/week07/#embroidery-experiments)
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*Illustrator file of schematics in case you want to make your own
*[Grids](https://class.textile-academy.org/2019/jessica.stanley/docs/projects/StitchSynth_grid_files.zip): a zip file containing templates for fabric grids in .ai, .dxf and .pdf format (includes a bonus grid that I planned to use to make a sequencer, but didn't have time, plus templates for fabric strips used in the Anni and Ada modules)
*[Schematics]: a zip file of schematics in .ai format (in case you want to make your own and change them around) and .pdf (in case you just want to use them for reference)
*[Maryam]: a zip file containing .ai file for the Maryam module pattern, the Rhino + Grasshopper files used to make the pattern, and embroidery machine files that will work on a Janome machine.
## Tips for buying electronic components
# Tips for buying electronic components
## Grids
Here is a compressed file that contains all of the grid patterns used, in .ai, .dxf and .pdf format. The file contains 6 grids (including one I planned to use to make a sequencer, but didn't have time) plus templates for material strips that were used in the Anni and Ada modules.
Remember that if you're using a laser cutter, do a [flame test](https://hackaday.com/2015/03/14/how-to-identify-plastics-before-laser-cutting-them/) on your materials first to make sure they are suitable (i.e. that they don't contain anything that will release dangerous gases when laser cut).
