Exploring the Role of Textile Craft Practice in Interdisciplinary E-Textiles Development through the Design of an Illuminated Safety Cycling Jacket

Most E-textile research tends to fall within the arts or science disciplinary boundaries, despite E-textiles themselves being interdisciplinary in nature. This work explores how contemporary woven textile practice methodologies can play a role within interdisciplinary research, expanding the creative and technical applications of materials and technologies. A team of electronics, textiles, and fashion specialists was formed to design and make an illuminated jacket for use by cyclists. The jacket incorporated bespoke woven panels that integrated electronic yarns within the pattern. The development of this prototype raised questions about the use of craft practice methodologies in the development of new E-textiles.