This page details the activities outline for the LittlePay workshop at Science Gallery Melbourne on 22 August 2025.

Pre-workshop activity

We will start with a blind drawing activity.

Draw a computer or digital technology that played an important role in your early life — maybe your first computer, a family gaming console, or even an old mobile phone. Do this without looking at the paper while you draw (you can peek when you’re done!).

This isn’t about being a great artist — it’s a way to loosen up and engage with memory and emotion before we dive into more reflective making.

Once you’ve finished your drawing, take a few minutes to write about:

• What is this technology?
• What role did it play in your life?
• How do you feel about it now?

Discuss in pairs or small groups if you have time. We will use this memory as a basis for our afternoon workshop making.

Workshop Introduction

The afternoon session will follow this structure:

• Introduction to embroidering and soft circuits (30 minutes)
• Individual and collaborative making (90 minutes)
• Playing and sharing (30 minutes)

Introduction

Overview of embroidery, embroidery hoops, needles and thread, basic stitches.

Overview of electronics and copper tape. Introduction to the circuit they’ll be plugging into.

Directive for artmaking:

• Take elements of your blind drawing and transpose it onto fabric as a start. You might like to put the fabric upside down in the hoop for an easier surface to draw on.
• You might like to include some words of the specific reflections you had this morning.
• Consider the different senses in this memory, and how you might like to fill the space in your embroidery hoop.
• Consider where you might like to put copper tape in this design. You can also satin stich over the copper tape to hide it away.

Collaborate:

• On the table at the front, there is space for you to connect your circuit to others peoples’, or connect straight into the Bela to make noises.
• Offer to jam? Improvise??

Playing and sharing, make sure you have a full connection in your circuit and a point we can clip to.