Statement of Purpose:

The intended outcome for this project is to create an 18th century-style gown that is designed to look like a lightning storm.  Lighting and electronics will be incorporated in a more subtle and comprehensive manner in order to surprise the viewer with the full function of the piece.  I would also like to incorporate a performance aspect, where the intensity of the “storm” is influenced by the gestures and movement of the wearer.

Project Materials:

• Wool felt
• Ultra bright white LEDs
• Arduino
• Conductive thread or ribbon
• Accelerometers
• Lithium ion batteries

Project Steps:

Garment

• Pattern gown
• Dye wool roving
• Make felted panels
• Assemble gown
• Insert electronics

Electronics

• Write “lightning” simulator program
• Plan wiring/lighting schematics
• Determine power needs
• Assemble lighting arrays

Concepts to Master:

• Wool dyeing
• Wet felting
• Randomization programming
• Use of accelerometer data
• Programming and powering large quantities of LEDs via Arduino
• Efficient and effective wiring schemes

Proposed Calendar:

Week 1

• Begin patterning gown
• Order wool & dye
• Begin work on “lightning” program

Week 2

• Finish patterning gown
• Continue work on “lightning” program

Week 3

• Dye wool
• Continue work on “lightning” program
• Order electronic components

Week 4

• Begin felting
• Start working with accelerometers

Week 5

• Finish felting
• Complete Arduino programming

Weeks 6-8

• Sew gown
• Assemble and test electronics
• Insert electronics into gown