Practical Fashion Tech: Wearable Technologies for Costuming, Cosplay, and Everyday

This book is the result of a collaboration between two technologists and a veteran teacher, costumer, and choreographer. They came together to pull back the curtain on making fun and innovative costumes and accessories incorporating technologies like low-cost microprocessors, sensors and programmable LEDs.

Fashion tech can require skills in design, pattern-making, sewing, electronics, and maybe 3D printing. Besides the tech skills, making a good costume or accessory also requires knowledge of the intangibles of what makes a good costume. Regardless of whether you are coming at this from the theater costuming, sewing, or electronics side, the authors will help you get started with the other skills you need.

More than just a book of projects (although it has those too), Practical Fashion Tech teaches why things are done a certain way to impart the authors’ collective wealth of experience. Whether you need a book for a wearable tech class or you just want to get started making fantastic costumes and wearables on your own, Practical Fashion Tech will get you there.

What you will learn

• The fundamentals of both the sewing and the technology aspects of wearable tech for fashion
• How to make a memorable costume that reacts to its wearer or environment
• Ideas for using this book as a textbook

Who this is for

Electronics enthusiasts, hipsters, costume designers, teachers, and students who want to learn how to make fashion or cosplay weara

bles. Cosplay fans wanting to incorporate sensors and more into their costumes.

Table of Contents

Part 1. The Big Picture
Chapter 1. Fashion Tech
Chapter 2. Practical Costume Design

Part 2. The Basics
Chapter 3. How to Sew
Chapter 4. Making and Using Sewing Patterns
Chapter 5. Wearable Tech Electronics
Chapter 6. Programming Wearables
Chapter 7. Your First Project

Part 3. Beyond the Basics
Chapter 8. Sensors and Other Hardware
Chapter 9. 3D Printing
Chapter 10. The Importance of Planning
Chapter 11. Two Bigger Projects

Part 4. Where To Go From Here
Chapter 12. Other Technologies
Chapter 13. A Look Ahead

Appendix A. Teaching Fashion Tech
Appendix B. Links in this Book