Light box
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,402
I asked for one for Christmas about 4 years ago, my DH found one at Aaron Brothers - it wasn't too expensive but it has a slight slant light a writing table. It is a Light Tracer 2 12"x18". I kept the box it came in since it has a handle and makes it easier to store.
#23
Several years ago, I bought the bigger one from JoAnn's and since I love to applique I use it all of the time. It was about $50 but I used a coupon and got if for around half price. The new ones now are much thinner. I would go for as big of one as I could afford and store so you don't have to keep adjusting your pattern.
#24
I bought an 8.5 x 11 Porta Trace (panel lightbox) from Amazon. I like it, very well made in USA but it's not real lightweight, it's 5 lbs. Nice and bright.
Just looked & they are now selling it for $40 over what I paid in June. I guess they jack the price up for the academic/school year...
Just looked & they are now selling it for $40 over what I paid in June. I guess they jack the price up for the academic/school year...
#25
I sit a lamp on the floor under my sewing machine table, push my machine out of my way and put a piece of plexiglass over the opening. Been doing this for years to make my applique pieces. If you have a hundred watt bulb you can see through most prints.
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,369
My light box, for years was something taped to the patio door.
Then I progressed really uptown by using a leftover piece of window glass propped on 2 stacks of books with my Ott light shoved under it.
Lost the glass in the last move so I now use a piece of plexiglass on the same books with a 6" round tap-on-stick-up light underneath.
Jan in VA
Then I progressed really uptown by using a leftover piece of window glass propped on 2 stacks of books with my Ott light shoved under it.
Lost the glass in the last move so I now use a piece of plexiglass on the same books with a 6" round tap-on-stick-up light underneath.
Jan in VA
#27
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
Thank you for all the suggestions. Making my own sounds like a great way to save money (which I really need to do) but since I've never even used one of these and I have no idea at all how they even work (lamps? glass? lasagna dishes, table leaves?) I'm probably going to be better off buying one and hoping it comes with good directions.
Are any of them made specifically for fabric or are any many in such a way that they shouldn't be used for fabric?
Thx
Are any of them made specifically for fabric or are any many in such a way that they shouldn't be used for fabric?
Thx
One thing nobody has mentioned is that if you put that light under the glass, it will be shining in your eyes when your project doesn't fit the entire top space. So put a sheet of white paper over the glass before you lay your project on it. Easier on the eyes.
And the light doesn't know if you have fabric or paper or whatever on top of it, so go for it.
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 1,040
I'm going to do an embroidery quilt which I saw and fell in love with, but I will need to buy a light box to trace the pattern. I think this will be a good investment for me because I'd like to do other similar projects with embroidery.
But where to I start? Can anyone point me in the right direction. I checked out Jo-Ann's web site and they have a few light boxes. Are they all created equal? What should I be looking for? I haven't a clue how to go about it. I don't even know what features to look for because I don't know what features they have.
Here's a link to the quilt I want to make if you'd like to see it.
http://www.primitivequiltcellar.com/...y_Pattern.html
But where to I start? Can anyone point me in the right direction. I checked out Jo-Ann's web site and they have a few light boxes. Are they all created equal? What should I be looking for? I haven't a clue how to go about it. I don't even know what features to look for because I don't know what features they have.
Here's a link to the quilt I want to make if you'd like to see it.
http://www.primitivequiltcellar.com/...y_Pattern.html
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
I have a storage container, clear with a lid,. I put a battery operated led light in it and it works fine. I've heard others who opened up their tables where the leaves go, put a clear piece of plexi glass there and a lamp underneath
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Deb53
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06-10-2012 06:10 AM