Sound Woven into Textiles

What if the fabric you wear could become a speaker?

This project explores a new generation of smart textiles by transforming embroidered patterns into flexible audio devices. Using conductive threads stitched directly into fabric, the system creates lightweight speakers capable of producing sound without the rigid permanent magnets found in conventional loudspeakers. Two embroidered coils interact through electromagnetic forces, turning the textile itself into a vibrating acoustic surface. [UIST20-SonoFlex | PDF] In this demonstrator, sound emerges directly from embroidered fabric, blending electronics, craftsmanship, and material innovation. Thin, lightweight, and highly flexible, the textile speaker can be integrated into clothing, accessories, or everyday objects while preserving comfort and wearability. The result is a seamless fusion of technology and textiles, where sound becomes an intrinsic property of the material itself. Beyond its artistic and interactive dimension, the project highlights the potential of embroidered electronics for wearable technologies, smart garments, and ambient communication. The same approach can support discreet notifications, embedded musical interfaces, and even near-ultrasonic data transmission, opening new possibilities for human-device interaction. This installation invites us to rethink the relationship between textiles and technology, revealing fabrics not simply as passive materials, but as active, responsive media capable of sensing, communicating, and producing sound.