Wearable Instrument: An intimate dialogue between textiles, body and sound

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master_Shi_Xuefei_2026.pdf (1.9 MB)

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
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Date

2025-11-29

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Major/Subject

Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design

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Degree programme

Master's Programme in Design
Muotoilun maisteriohjelma
Magisterprogrammet i Design

Language

en

Pages

48

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Abstract

This thesis explores how knitwear can function as wearable instruments by embedding stretch sensors made of resistive yarns directly into the knitting structure. Designed using the inherent properties of knitting structure such as flexibility, stretch, and comfort, these sensors enable the garment itself to become an interface for sound. The project responds to the growing detachment between body and sound in the digital music era, aiming to restore tactile, embodied interaction through textiles. Rather than addressing a technological gap, this work expands existing applications of knitted e-textiles in smart wearables into the domain of sound-based interaction. Following a practice-based research methodology, the project employs methods like soma design and design experimentation to guide iterative prototyping. The final outcome is a fully fashioned knitted dress containing seven resistive sensors, each mapped to specific sound parameters such as pitch, reverb, and frequency, through a custom Pure Data patch connected with Bela board. These parameters are triggered through intuitive body movements like lifting arms or hunching the back. The results demonstrate that knitted e-textiles can function as a bridge between body and sound, where garments become both instrument and interface. It shows that a complete sound system can be designed fully within knitwear, concealing electronic components inside textile logic while preserving comfort and aesthetics. More importantly, it highlights that emotion, tactility, and somatic awareness are as vital to design as technical innovation.

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Supervisor

Salolainen, Maarit

Thesis advisor

Pouta, Emmi
Leppisaari, Anna-Mari

Keywords

wearable technology, e-textile, soma design, embodied interaction, sound design, knitted sensors

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202601221838

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[master] Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / ARTS