See this project and many more in Wearable Tech Projects by Sophy Wong available here .

The project in this tutorial is programmed in Microsoft MakeCode – the easy to use block-based language (although if you’re comfortable with CircuitPython , that is an alternative not reviewed in the tutorial).

The circuit for this project is simple, and can be used in any project where you want to connect an external strip of NeoPixels LEDs to your Circuit Playground Express. Instead of sewing the circuit, we’ll do some light soldering to connect everything together. Coding is easy with MakeCode , and once your project is complete, you can quickly modify and develop your code further, as the CPX remains easy to access on the front of your bag. The NeoPixel strip will be on the inside of your bag, so we’ll need to pass wires through holes punched into the front. Choose a bag that you are willing to dedicate to this project for good. (The author purchased the bag shown for about $29.)

In our build, we’ll (use) the built-in light sensor on the Circuit Playground Express , and a strip of NeoPixels inside a clear handbag. Change the colour of the lights in your bag to match your outfit, or a found object while you’re out and about!

From the new book Wearable Tech Projects by Sophy Wong – Use an Adafruit Circuit Playground Express to create the ultimate fashion accessory.



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Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.

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CircuitPython – The easiest way to program microcontrollers – CircuitPython.org