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AB
C
D
Fig. A: Remove the plastic casing on the remote control.
Fig. B: Sew the circuit to the muslin. Fig. C: Attach the
conductive tape strips to the front of the bear where
each button will be.
E
Fig. D: Create buttons using conductive tape and foam,
and then test them by placing each one on its correct
spot. Fig. E: Finish the buttons by sewing a border
around each one.
If the custom buttons seem a bit difficult, you
could use printed icons on iron-on inkjet T-shirt
transfer paper, or draw the icons onto the buttons
with a permanent marker or fabric marker.
Next, cut out the buttons with an icon in the center of each. Attach a square of conductive tape to
the back of each button, and cut out a fat border
of adhesive foam to fit around each conductive tape
square. Test each button by placing it in the correct
spot on the front of the bear (Figure D).
Place fusible web on the back of each button,
around the outer edge only, and press onto the
correct place on the front of the bear. Finish by
sewing a border around each button.
the snap part. Both snap parts should now connect
to the sewn circuit by the conductive thread, with
the arms hanging loosely from the bear body.
5. Assemble the bear body.
Cut out the bear legs, sew together, reverse, and
stuff. Pin the arms and legs onto the front of the
bear, pointing inward, and place the back of the bear
on top, with the right sides of the fabric facing each
other. Pin in place and sew completely around the
bear, leaving only a 2" gap near the circuit board.
Turn right side out, remove the pins, and stuff.
Add extra stuffing between the circuit board and
the front of the bear. Finally, sew velcro on the inside
of the gap for changing the battery.
4. Create bear arms.
Next make the bear’s arms, which also function as
the on switch. Cut out the arms and attach the inner
paw decoration, as you did with the face. Sew one
part of a metal snap fastener to the inside of one
paw and the other to the outside of the other paw.
Sew the 2 sides of each arm together, reverse, and
stuff each with cotton or polyester stuffing. Before
stuffing, run the conductive threads corresponding
to each arm through the arm and tie securely around
Leah Culver is a software developer living in San Francisco.
She enjoys sewing, solving crossword puzzles, and working
on her website,
pownce.com.
