Category: Plush Night Light

1. The name of your plush night light:

Maneki-neko

2. Photos of your completed project

3. Paragraph description of your project, its story, and the target user. Some ideas to consider:
The purpose of this Maneki-neko project is to bring users luck and fortune, symbolized by its bells and glowing coin. The character design was inspired by a powerful, monster-like character from an animation I love called “DAN DA DAN”—the “Turbo Granny” who is a powerful yokai or apparition. I especially like the glowing coin because it is so eye-catching. I hope this final design conveys a feeling of prosperity and good fortune to all who see it.

4. Description of materials and parts used

• Sherpa
• Wool felt
• Flannel
• Linen
• Zipper
• Battery pack from kit provided
• 3 AAA batteries
• 3 yellow LEDs
• 1 white LED
• Poly fill
• Electrical wires
• Heat shrink tubing
• 3 resistors (Brown Black Red Gold) 1k Ohms
• 1 resistor (Yellow Violet Brown Gold) 470 Ohms

5. Description of your journey through this project:

• Did you try something new during this project? What was the experience like This project provided me with hands-on new experience in several key areas:
  1. Digital knitting
  2. Operating an industrial sewing machine
  3. Stitching specialty fabrics with a standard sewing machine

• What surprised or challenged you the most during this project?

The initial phase of the Maneki-neko project flowed seamlessly, moving from sizing and expression design to pattern-making and digital embroidery. The real challenge began during assembly. The chosen fabric was thick and fuzzy, causing the sewing machine to constantly jam, which forced frequent stops for cleaning. This difficulty led to some shape distortion, but through persistence, the piece was successfully stitched together.

• If you had more time to work on this project, what would you do to refine it further?

I will resew the Maneki-neko’s body by hand to center it.

6. Circuit diagram

8. In-progress images

Testing the white LED with resistor (Brown Black Red Gold) 1k Ohms

Testing the white LED with resistor  (Yellow Violet Brown Gold) 470 Ohms

Idea

This heart-shaped lamp is designed for people who want to express love to someone special, such as parents, a partner, or other loved ones. Inside the lamp, eight red LEDs form the shape of a heart, symbolizing strong and passionate feelings. In the center, there is one warm yellow LED, glowing softly like a heart full of warmth.

Materials

1. Ivory minky fabric
2. White sheer organza fabric
3. White sewing wires
4. 2 diffused yellow leds
5. 3 AAA batteries
6. 2 100 Ohms registers

Circuit Diagram

Process

I first drew a perfect heart in Adobe Illustrator, including seam allowances.

Next, I laid my monitor flat, fixed the minky fabric onto the screen, and used a marker to trace the outline for cutting.

After cutting, I sewed the pieces with a sewing machine and turned it right-side out.

I stuffed in foam and the light (LED bulb), then stitched the opening closed to finish.