The upcoming edition (Vol. 83) of Make: magazine has my article on making Pixelblaze-controlled LED pillows. It's a surprisingly straightforward build, using string lights to create home decor that goes with any color scheme!
because each pillow is made from a single (fairly sturdy) string of sturdy Christmas lights with no solder joints they're actually pretty forgiving as long as you protect the connection to the controller and don't pull directly on the power wires. I wouldn't use them for pillow fights, but you can absolutely squish, plump and lie on the pillows and they'll hold up just fine.