Monday, January 21, 2008

Let There Be Light - Help!

You would think it wouldn't be that difficult to light a room that is only 12' by 9' and has one west facing window. Last weekend my husband and I took out the ceiling fan and replaced it with a light fixture with three halogen bulbs that I can adjust. That has definitely made a difference, but I still feel the room is dim and it's hard to see when I sew.
Any ideas fellow quilters? What works for you?

6 comments:

Becky said...

I sew in a poorly lite unfinished basement. I broke down and bought some spotlights that use regular light bulbs and clip on the rafters. That seems to help because I can move them in the direction that I need. Santa brought me a very nice Ott lamp that sits on my sewing table. I love Santa for thinking about my eyesight. :-)

country mouse said...

Well, I don't know if its creative or not, but when I would sew in our basement, I just used clip on desk lamps and cliped them to the table where I knew they would be out of the way of my sewing. Then I could focus the light where I needed it. I also would probably just buy a floor lamp or 2 too. Nothing original, but it might help. Hope you find a soulution that works for you.

Also wanted to compliment you on your improvisationally peiced quilt. Very nice!! Keep up the great work. And wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog as well. Thanks!!

qusic said...

Thank you for stopping by, think it rubs off,if you come often:-).I use an additional neon desk lamp with a large bulb and an adjustable arm from IKEA -those cheap ones,if it gets dark in the attic where I sew. It doesn't show colours properly but works with sewing.

Kieny The Dutchlady said...

I couldn't reply to your comment because your email is on "no-reply". Thanks for stopping by. I can't really help you with your light problems. My own room is not very well lit so I am always moving around different lamps when I'm working. When I have to cut fabrics I try to do that during the day because at night the artificial light throws shadows on my fabrics.

Sherri said...

I have the same problem - seems like a common quilter's complaint (cqc). My sewing room is in a small bedroom and has an overhead light on a dimmer switch. I also have a regular hanging lamp directly over my sewing/cutting space, and while that provides more light, the light can also reflect off my rulers making it difficult to see the cutting lines. I would think the same thing would happen with any overhead lighting system, but maybe that's just what we have to put up with.
Best of luck!

jacquie said...

Thanks everyone. I moved a floor lamp up from the living room to light just the cutting board. I'm looking into those Ott lamps. They are supposed to be really good. (I'm waiting for a sale, of course.) I do appreciate the ideas!