Sheagatzi Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 I just wanted to see if I'm the only one who prefers the lighting of quilting in the dark. I had nice overhead lighting installed by an electrician in preparation for my studio. Now, I find that when I am working from the front of the machine I quilt in the dark (or dim light) almost all of the time. I use a side light that casts a light sideways over the quilt top and that's it. I love the overhead lighting systems that are offered by APQS and outside sources, but often wonder why? Because I'm in the basement, I come up every hour or so just to get some sunlight into my eyes again... Anyone else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pumpkinpatchquilter Posted August 10, 2014 Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 I am with you - and I try to take in progress shots at night time too...in low light...if I can as it shows the texture and shadow so much better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaSteller Posted August 10, 2014 Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 My studio is in my attic with just a small ceiling light at each end of the room. I just use the machine light for quilting. I do not like a lot of light. Gives me a headache. If I'm using black thread on black fabric, or white thread on white fabric, I use a side light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Farnham Posted August 10, 2014 Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 I too Quilt in the Dark,...... I have just moved back into my home Studio (Yeah!!!! 5 years in a cramped room was too long) I have overhead lights above my machine that I use when loading,... unloading and maintenance between quilts,.... I also have a row of lights behind me over my Sewing area,..... I turn off the lights over the machine when I am quiltinq and only leave on the lights behind me,.... It casts great shadows and makes small detail work much easier on my aging eyes ;0) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheagatzi Posted August 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 This is my next project when I get back from vacation! Thanks for chiming in. Sometimes my husband comes down and thinks I'm a weirdo - I have all these glorious daytime lights installed, and I'm quilting in the dark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchanted Quilting Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 I quilt a lot without the bright overhead lights. I find time of day and thread/fabric colors are huge determining factors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMALKB Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 That's a neat idea. I quilt in my finished basement. No outside daylight, but I do have good flourescent ceiling lights. There are times when it is had to see my stitiching.........certain fabric patterns, colors, etc. Might have to make myself one of those lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cegates Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 What a great thread, thanks so much!!! All this time I was thinking I needed more light, and it may be that I needed better ideas, not more light. I think I will try Jamie W's light bar. Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MizKia Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Thanks for sharing the Jamie video. I think I am going to make one or two also. I don't have the best of light even with spot lights above my machine. MizKia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferBernard Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 I heard all about side lighting when I was a newbie BUT no one ever said to turn out the other lights and ONLY use side light. I quilt like this a lot! I have a fluorescent light that is longer than my bars and it just sits on top. I taped paper in to it to stop it glaring in my eyes. I LOVE Jamie W.s light ! I think I will build one. Eva use I often knock my light off. His version would stay on the rails better. Thanks so much for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little House Creations Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Hmmm . . . are you the same person who was complaining about needing bifocals on FB . . . ha ha ! I am having a heck of a time with a quilt right now where the thread is almost identical to the fabric. I feel like I can't see a thing - I'm in the basement, but have windows on either side of my Freeda, it's sunny outside and have pot lights overhead! My husband is getting very tired of me saying I can't see a thing . . . maybe I should turn the lights out altogether?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferBernard Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Yes! yes! Yes! Cover the windows and turn out the lights! I even turn the light on my machine out and put the under the counter light on my left side! It works like magic! Try it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheagatzi Posted August 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Ha Ha! Bev - Yes I am the one who needs readers/progressives and now use them all the time. I can see even better now in the dark! LOL. My eyestrain and droopy aging eyes are no more! Who knew?? Yes, close the blinds up if you still cannot get the right shadowing and put the side light on. I turn the machine light off too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggienoella Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Yes, I do too when I'm trying to follow the laser light. Just easier to see. Joan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 I have a little desk lamp that I set on the back of the frame and use it for custom work. It provides the perfect shadowing. The only downfall is that I have to move it on occasion to quilt another section on a quilt. I'm going to have to check out the video on the side lighting!! Thank you for posting it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Buy an under-counter fluorescent at the home improvement store (less than $20). Make sure it's longer than the distance between your rollers. Mine sits nicely to the left of the machine and pointing toward it. The plastic cover cuts down glare. Turn off the machine lights and room lights. It's amazing how much it helps with matching thread or black-on-black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Has anyone tried the side light method with George or other sit down machines? With moving the quilt instead of the machine it makes me wonder how that can work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Hi Madelyn. You can find many goose-neck style side lights that attach to the machine head with adhesive mounting tape. They have a long flexible neck so you can find the best angle and use from either side for stitching with a sit-down. I'll find a link... Very irritating video sound, but you get the idea. Google "flexible light" for lots of others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Thanks, Linda. My George does have a gooseneck LED light, I will have to try it without room lights and see what that does for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little House Creations Posted August 13, 2014 Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 You guys are amazing! Thanks Andrea, for starting this thread. OK - it's lights out for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted August 13, 2014 Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 "The mention of black on black is what caught my attention the most. I'm close to finishing a quilt mystery with black background, and never again, unless the price is right! I have a table goose neck lamp I can try.. bet it helps to lower the lighting in the room.. even if it is the overheads.. and one small, small window. thanks all for comments, ideas, etc. Rita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcclannan Posted August 13, 2014 Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 My dh is making a side light like the one on Jamie's video. What a great idea. Thanks for posting, Andrea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay Anderson Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 This is just weird! I ran across Jamie's video on the side light this morning on you tube. I will have to make me one of these! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniemueller Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Thanks for this post. I tried turning the lights out while I'm quilting the background filler on my Vintage Valentine blocks. Wow, that's nice. This is cream on cream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Grammy Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 If I am doing cream or white I sometimes turn out the lights and turn on the black light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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