Something New, Something Old: Combining Conductive Fibers and Classical Tatting Techniques for Lace Structured Circuits

Abstract

This project applies lacemaking to circuit design as an applications-based focus at the intersection of traditional craft and emerging e- textile materials.

Tatting is a particularly durable method of creating lace by the use of sequential half-hitch knots and loops. This type of lace is fairly stiff, consisting of self-knotting rings and chains that form a design. There are similarities in structure of a knot around a core thread to insulation around a wire. With the use of cotton thread knots around a core conductive thread, the structure of the lace becomes a wire. Similar knotting can be employed to sheath existing wires and fibers.

The combination of tatting technique with conductive thread and advanced fibers extends existing exploratory work to unify electronic components for complete lace fabric circuits. The organic structure made of free-standing lace serves as an integrated textile alternative to circuit boards and existing sewn or woven e-textile fabric. The unique lace form factor reveals potential for aesthetically appealing integration with or appending existing garments to add interaction and functionality while also protecting components from strain. Similarly, the lace made with conductive thread on its own can be used as an e-textile with sensing and output functions.