The Interactive Quilt – combining traditional textile with light circuitry

The Interactive Quilt is a gorgeous illuminated wall panel produced by illuminart and supported by Country Arts SA.

Inspired by the traditional sampler quilts made by patchwork afficionados around the world, it takes the old method a big leap forward by the additions of sensors, and LEDs illuminating the fabrics, to provide quirky luminous responses when the interactive panels are touched.

The artwork was made through a workshop process, as South Australian textile artists responded to the callout, joining electronics maker and presenter Trevor Collict to learn how to embed lights and devices into textiles.

Each participant designed their own piece from a selection of similar themed fabrics, soldered their electronics and developed a program concept for the lights. Workshops were held in Quorn, Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier and Port Adelaide over a four month period.

The Quilt was completed in 2013 and has been exhibited in Adelaide Fringe, South Australian Living Artists festival, and is available for exhibition.