Super IPod : Step-by-Step Instruction

The first thing we need to do is to cut a pillow cover, a window, a dial, and button signs of the Ipod using templates. You can download the template pdf file in below URL or if you buy the kit it will be included inside.
Super IPod Template download
You can ask your children to cut the signs.





Next, we'll use white fabric to make a pillow cover. Fold one long side of the fabric in at half an inch then fold in 3 inches more of the side and sew using a blind stitch. Fold in half and sew the top and left inside of the half inch margin except the folded side. Then turn over the case through the folded side.





We will fold the margin of the fabric pieces for a window and a dial to prevent them from becoming fraying on the edges. Cut a little bit around the edge of the window and dial to smoothly fold the edge. Fold the margin and glue the margin using fabric glue. This is a very fun job. So, you can ask your children to glue them.




Mark the place where you attach the window and the dial using the template of the Super IPod that we used to cut the fabric in the first step. Attach the gray fabric pieces on the pillow cover using fabric glue. Then attach the signs you already cut on the dial fabric. You can ask your children to help.














Now we will make five soft fabric switches to control an mp3 player. I got the information to make this switch from Leah Buechley's electronic sewing kit instructions.
1. Cut the felt and attach the conducting fabric on it
The first of all, you need to cut ten square pieces of black felt and 5 square pieces of purple felt which are 3"x3". Attached a piece of conductive fabric in the middle of the black fabric using fabric glue. Leave little bit margin when you attach the fabric.
2. Make a hole on the pieces of purple felt
Fold a piece of purple felt diagonally. Cut the middle part of the piece to make a hole which is ¼ inch * ¼ inch
3. Glue them together
Glue a piece of black felt and attach with conductive fabric to a piece of purple felt. Then, attach another piece of black felt (which has an opposite side of the conductive fabric wing) to the other side of the purple felt.

How the fabric switch works
When you press the switch through the hole of the middle part of the felt or fabric, the conductive fabric on the outside is connected and makes a path for flowing electricity. So, the electricity can flow from a side of conductive fabric to the other side of conductive fabric. This is the same way a regular switch works.

Tip: Testing the switch
If you have the first project "Moonlit Flower", you can check to see if the switch is working by attaching the snaps of the flower on the two wings of the switch. When you press the switch, the light should turn on.


Now you have five soft fabric switches. Mark the position of the switch using the IPod template. Set the position of the switch on the dial inside the pillow and glue the switch using the fabric glue. Now take the mp3 player base, which has 12 snaps on it, and attach it to the bottom using the fabric glue.





To indicate the mp3 player is working, we will attach the LED on the window of the IPod. Make a little hole down the left side of the window and attach the LED using fabric glue. Mark (+) and (-) on the fabric to indicate which is the long leg for the positive connection and which is the short leg for the negative connection. Bend the legs of LED and sew the legs using conductive thread.



You have a few handmade felt wires. If you buy the kit, you can find them inside the kit. If you want to make them by yourself, check the "How to make fabric wires". It is very easy to make them with conductive fabric and felt. With these felt wires, connect the snaps to the switches. Cut a little bit in the middle of one side of the felt wires. Sew the divided edge to each conductive fabric wing of the switch. Sew the other side of the wires to snaps on the mp3 player base.

Fellow the illustrated instruction to attach switches and snaps.

Tip: Check the continuity
When you done to connect switch and snaps on the base, you can check the it works or not using multi-meter or our first project "Moonlit Flower". Attach the snaps of the flower to the set of the snaps on the base. When you press the switch connected to the snaps, the flower lights up.










Close the snaps of the MP3 player to the base of the MP3 player. The snaps will allow you to detach the mp3 player whenever you want. When you wash the pillowcase you should detach the mp3 player from it.






Turn over the pillowcase. Hook a headphone or speaker to an mp3 player. When you press the button, you can see the indicator on the window changes. Follow instructions below to control the hacked mp3 player.





How to use
Put a standard size of pillow into the Super IPod pillowcase and push the sign to control the player and enjoy music!. When you push the button on the pillow, you can listen to music through the headphone or a speaker connected to the mp3 player inside of the pillowcase. You can also select a song or change the volume. You can also upload a new song using the USB port of the mp3 player.

Tip: how to control the hacked mp3 player
- Turn on and play
Press the "Play" button in the middle of the dial for more than 3 sec. and you can see the indicator is on. To play music, press the button less than 1 sec. and you'll see the indicator is blink. The soft fabric switch is sensitive, so even if you press the button lightly it will work very well.
- Change music
Press the "Next" and "Forward" button less than 1 sec. and wait 1 sec to listen to the music.
- Turn off
Press the "Play" button for more than 3 sec. You can see the indicator is turned off.
* Sign of mp3 indicator
When the mp3 player is turned off, the indicator light should turn off as well.
When the mp3 player plays music, the indicator should be blinking.
When the mp3 player pauses music, the indicator light will still be on but it will not be blinking.

When you are done with this "Super IPod", please share your craft picture with us.
Share your craft photography!
If you have any problem making it, please email us.
sun.techdiy@gmail.com