LilyPad SimpleSnap

LilyPad SimpleSnap is a modular wearable development board designed for rapid e‑textile prototyping and detachable smart clothing projects. Built around the LilyPad ecosystem, this circular sewable controller integrates a rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery and snap-based electrical connections that simplify assembly compared with traditional stitched conductive threads. The wearable microcontroller board supports programming through Arduino, enabling interactive garments, responsive fashion pieces, and soft robotics experiments. Large sewable pads and fabric snap compatibility allow electronics to be temporarily mounted on textile circuits, creating washable garments while maintaining reusable electronic hardware.

Note: A portion of this sale is given back to Dr. Leah Buechley for continued development and education of e-textiles and also to Arduino LLC to help fund continued development of new tools and new IDE features.

Snap-Based Modular Textile Electronics

This wearable LilyPad controller introduces integrated female snap connectors that replace many traditional stitched electrical connections. By attaching fabric snaps to textile circuits or to a compatible prototyping board, the sewable computing module can be quickly connected or removed from garments. Such a modular textile electronics architecture supports rapid prototyping, simplifies experimentation with conductive fabrics, and allows electronic hardware to be reused across multiple clothing designs without permanent stitching.

Integrated Rechargeable Power System

An onboard Lithium Polymer battery eliminates the need for external battery holders often required in wearable electronics. The integrated power source keeps the e‑textile controller compact and lightweight while maintaining stable power for sensors, LEDs, and interactive components. Charging occurs through an FTDI breakout used for programming, creating a streamlined workflow for wearable prototyping, interactive costume development, and soft electronics research.

Designed for Wearable Computing and Textile Integration

Developed by Leah Buechley and collaboratively refined with SparkFun, the LilyPad platform focuses on electronics that merge naturally with fabric. Large circular pads support sewing with conductive thread, while the thin PCB structure helps maintain garment flexibility. This sewable microcontroller board integrates seamlessly with the wider LilyPad ecosystem of sensors, input modules, and lighting components, enabling sophisticated wearable computing projects within fashion design, interactive art, and smart textiles.

Such modular wearable electronics platforms are widely used in interactive clothing, smart costumes, educational textile computing kits, and rapid prototyping for wearable devices. Detachable circuitry allows garments to remain washable while preserving electronic components, making the system suitable for fashion technology research, maker experimentation, and STEM Education programs exploring the intersection of electronics, textiles, and creative design.