I’ve long been fascinated by synaesthesia—that beautiful neurological phenomenon where one sense triggers another. In simple terms, it’s when one sensory experience activates a second, unrelated one. Some people see colours when they hear music, or taste flavours when they read words. It’s poetic, layered, and deeply personal.
Lately, I’ve been dreaming about how this might translate into artwork—something that invites a sensory interplay. Could I create a piece that blends touch and sound, where texture evokes tone, and vibration becomes part of the visual language? It’s a little beyond my current budget to prototype, but it’s a concept I’d love to explore further.
In my research, I stumbled across a guide to making an embroidered fabric speaker—a project that feels like a gentle step toward this sensory fusion.
It’s a quiet marvel—sound stitched into cloth.
Stainless Steel vs Copper: Electrical Behaviour
Conductivity Copper Very high (low resistance) Stainless Steel Lower conductivity (higher resistance)
Solderability Copper Easy to solder Stainless Steel Difficult to solder (requires flux or crimping)
Flexibility Copper Soft, malleable Stainless Steel Stiffer, springier
Oxidation Copper Can tarnish over time Stainless Steel Highly resistant to corrosion
Cost Copper More expensive Stainless Steel Often Cheaper
What Is a Fabric Speaker?
A speaker works by using an electromagnet (in this case, an embroidered coil) mounted to a membrane (the fabric), with a permanent magnet nearby. When sound flows through the coil, it creates a fluctuating magnetic field that moves the membrane. These tiny vibrations push air, turning electrical signals into audible sound.
It’s a quiet marvel—sound stitched into cloth.
Choosing the Right Thread
Not all conductive threads behave the same. Here’s a gentle comparison:
For soft, wearable textiles, silver-coated threads offer excellent conductivity and gentle flexibility—ideal for sensory-safe installations. Copper can work too, but it’s less forgiving in texture and long-term comfort.
Materials & Tools
Conductive Thread (The Pi Hut):
- Stainless Thin Conductive Thread – 2 ply
- Stainless Medium Conductive Thread – 3 ply
- Stainless Thin Conductive Yarn / Thick Conductive Thread
Magnets:
- Neodymium Sew-In Magnets 18mm x 2mm N35 (Magnets Direct)
- K&J Magnetics Inc
Other Materials:
- Fusible interfacing (Amazon link)
- Regular fabric and thread
Tools:
- Scissors
- Iron
- Sewing needle
How to Make It: A Gentle Overview
Step 1: Prepare the Fabric
Iron fusible interfacing to the back of your fabric to add stiffness. Trace your coil design on the front.
Step 2: Start the Coil
Pull conductive thread through the center point, leaving 10–20 cm for connection. Remove the needle.
Step 3: Couching Technique
Using regular thread, stitch over the conductive thread to hold it in place—this embroidery method is called couching.
Step 4: Keep Sewing
Work from the center outward, keeping each turn close but not touching. This ensures the magnetic field flows properly.
Step 5: Add Magnets
For a quick test, clip two magnets on either side of the coil. The vibrations should produce sound when connected to an amplified source.
amplification & testing
- Understanding the Speaker Mechanism
- A speaker works by converting electrical signals into vibrations using an electromagnet (your coil) and a permanent magnet.
- The fabric acts as the membrane that moves air to produce sound.
- Connecting to an Amplified Audio Source
- You’ll need an amplifier (e.g., Adafruit Mono 2.5W Class D Amp) with alligator clips or a mini jack to connect your coil ends.
- The audio signal must be amplified—direct connection to a phone or laptop won’t work.
- Testing and Adjusting Magnet Placement
- The closer the magnet is to the centre of the coil, the louder the sound.
- You may need to experiment with magnet size and placement to optimise volume.
- Use an embroidery hoop to keep fabric taut while stitching.
- Consider layering fabric for a stiffer membrane, which improves sound clarity.
- Measure coil resistance with a multimetre to match your amplifier’s impedance (typically 4–8 ohms).
This project feels like a whisper toward synaesthetic art—where sound lives in stitches, and touch carries tone. I may not be able to prototype it just yet, but it’s a concept I’m holding close, ready to bloom when the time is right.
If you’re exploring sensory design or textile electronics, I’d love to hear how you’re layering sound, texture, and emotion in your work.
Sustainability Note
While this project isn’t fully sustainable—especially given the use of rare-earth magnets and synthetic conductive threads—it does offer potential for reuse and adaptation. Many of the materials, such as stainless steel thread, neodymium magnets, and fabric membranes, can be repurposed across prototypes, allowing for iterative design without excessive waste. As I explore this further, I’m mindful of how each component might be re-stitched, re-layered, or reimagined in future sensory pieces.
FURTHER READING
Kobakant Sound Amplifying Circuits
References:
Websites:
The Pi Hut Based in the UK
Magnets Direct Based in the UK
Rachel Bakewell 