It's a profoundly human compulsion to change
our environment to suit ourselves, and the
quarter-trillion-dollar U.S. home décor industry
presents a playful (and profitable) example: We
bedeck our living spaces to express ourselves
and illustrate our individuality. Colorful light
displays decorate busy event spaces like concerts
and sports arenas, but they can also function
as enchanting home ornaments, like my LED
Rainbow Weather Station (Make: Volume 69) and
Inner Glow Edge-Lit Heart (Volume 71).
ILLUMINATING INTERIOR DESIGN
This LED matrix pillow project is not only pretty
but practical as well. The electronics attach to a
removable DIY pillowcase, so the outer decorative
cover and stuffed pillow insert may be removed
for cleaning. You can change display colors and
patterns, controlled by the codable Pixelblaze
controller board, for both visual embellishment
and entertainment.
There is something unexpectedly delightful
about embedding electronics in soft, cuddly
objects, and these sparkly pillows emphatically
spark joy inside my home.
1. CUT FABRIC AND MARK A GRID
Cut six rectangles from the mesh fabric: two
21"×21" and four 13"×21". Cut the edges parallel
to the rows and columns of holes in the mesh, to
make aligning the matrix easier (Figure
A
).
Fold a 21" square piece in half and make a
dot with the Sharpie at one end of the midline
(Figure
B
on the following page
). Unfold the
TIME REQUIRED:
10–15 Hours
DIFFICULTY:
Intermediate
COST:
$150–$175 Pair
MATERIALS
» Pixelblaze V3 Standard Controller $35 from
shop.electromage.com. Works with virtually all
types of individually addressable LEDs.
» Throw pillow inserts, 20"×20" (2) e.g.
Amazon B08Z3HRKD3
» Decorative pillow covers, 20"×20" (2) in
translucent fabric, like white shag or velveteen,
e.g. Amazon B09FXJD43H or B098T48DLF
» Quilt batting, lightweight (about ½"
thick), cut in 20"×20" squares (2) Amazon
B0017058TU
» Outdoor RGB LED strings, 10 meters (2)
with addressable LEDs, 10cm spacing, and
transparent insulated wiring, e.g. AliExpress
3256803638380385 or 3256802720232748.
These have 3-pin JST-SM connectors on
both ends, but many similar strings have an
attached USB controller instead, in which
case you’ll need to cut off the controller and
solder a 3-pin JST SM connector in its place.
» JST-SM 3-pin connectors (2) (optional)
if your LED strings don’t already have them,
Amazon B07787L74H
» JST-SM 3-pin extension cable(s) e.g. Amazon
B07G6PRDBQ. Quantity and length will depend
on how far apart you wish to place your pillows.
» Polyester mesh fabric, with ⁄" holes (1½
yards) Amazon B00N9I806Q
» Twist ties, double wired, white, 10cm long
(pack of 100) Amazon B08816GSYF
» DC wall adapter, 5V 3A (or higher amperage)
with DC jack connector and extra DC plug
breakout with screw terminals, e.g. Amazon
B078RXZM4C or B01GCI9G4O
» Thread, white
TOOLS
» Wire cutters or flush cutters
» Wire stripper
» Fabric scissors
» Sewing machine or needle and thread
» Ruler
» Sharpie pen, dark color
» Sewing clips such as Amazon B08KGTFR6T,
or small binder clips
» Pliers
» Small screwdriver
» Soldering iron (optional) if you need to attach
screw terminals to the Pixelblaze board
Oscar Roselló
A
49
make.co
M83_048-55_PixelPillow_F1.indd 49M83_048-55_PixelPillow_F1.indd 49 10/10/22 2:13 PM10/10/22 2:13 PM
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