Becoming an old geezer in my 50's...

 

I am beginning to want more light when I am sewing.  I'm not equating this with advancing age, mind you.  I just used to be stupid.

It seems like someone was always bugging me about reading and sewing in better light.  Now I need to take that advice.

Sewing machines, old or new, never have enough light.  Either my old Singer Featherweight or the newish Genome, it's still the same.  I like the LED lighting on the new machines, but there is too little of it and it never seems to illuminate what I am doing.

I have started rear lighting my sewing machine to illuminate my whole sewing platform table.  I love the extra work space at throat plate level, but the machine light only shines, barely, on the presser foot.

I usually end up placing my tabletop Ott light near my sewing machine.  I have tried a couple of those little lights that attach to the machine, but they are inadequate as well.

I have also stopped putting up with an inadequate light box.  I use this piece of equipment a lot, and it must be bright and must be flat...and must be larger.

I have found ...and love...the Huion brand, sold on Amazon.  Their price tends to fluctuate for some reason. 

(largest)
https://www.amazon.com/Huion-A2-Tracing-Adjustable-Brightness/dp/B00DNV7C72/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1509824232&sr=8-8&keywords=huion+light+box

(large)
https://www.amazon.com/Huion-Tracer-Photography-ArtCraft-Drawing/dp/B00IZQZXTE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1509824232&sr=8-5&keywords=huion+light+box

(small-medium)
https://www.amazon.com/Huion-Tracing-Drawing-Stencil-Tattoo/dp/B00S0N8QEG/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1509824232&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=huion+light+box&psc=1

My personal lighting solution is my Beam 'n' Read...a light that hangs around my neck.  Some come with 4 LED lights.  I like the one with 6 LED lights.

It allows me to hand stitch anywhere and not disturb the other people in the room.  I always have something to stitch with me while waiting for car maintenance or other long "public" waits away from home.

I also use it while repairing things or looking for something in a dark area.  Hands free light...just awesome. 

I look like a stupid, bobbing bird when I try to use one of those head lamps that fit like a sweat band.

I ordered my first one through the company (phone number above), but I have also found them on Amazon.  I love Amazon Prime free and fast shipping...so worth it when you live a long way from retail stores.

https://www.amazon.com/LED-Hands-Free-Blocking-Relaxation-Filters/dp/B00UE22N7M/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1509824828&sr=1-1&keywords=beam+and+read+light

It seems like all the places that are convenient for a sewing area in this house are inconvenient for good lighting.  I have a number of table lamp options, and I need them!

Steve has been out of town for a couple of weeks, so naturally I have taken the opportunity to do weird things that I probably wouldn't do if he was here...things like just rinsing the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher without starting it, drinking out of a measuring cup (because all the glasses were rinsed and sitting in the dishwasher), sleeping with a Ginsu knife under the bed (for security, of course), and sometimes wearing my jammies all day (you can get away with that when you work from home).

But my best bit of quirkiness on his recent trip was sitting on the couch stitching, straddling my floor Ott light.  That way the light is totally focused on my work area.  I can easily adjust it to sitting back or sitting on the edge of the couch, whatever feels comfortable at the time..

And Steve was not here to snigger at me.

I can peek around it to watch TV.  Awesome!

I love the bendy neck and the long light...it really allows me to sit in any position and have the best light.  I do have to move it when I get up, but that is not a big deal.

Good lighting is required for hand stitching tiny potato chips.  Darkness is better for eating the larger ones...

In stitches,
Teresa   :o)