I found this on Reocities.com - lots of free paper peicing patterns, and hints on different things. Check it out, it's a neat web site. A few of these things, I never even thought of doing!

Making a light box from things around the house...
You can go out and buy a light box for a lot of money, but I have learned to make things for myself for next to nothing. First, you have to see what you can find in your house to use.

You will need some type of small lamp. You can look for one around your house, or shop for a small florescent light in K-mart or Wal-Mart, they are really inexpensive. Those new "tap lights" that run on batteries are good.

1: Get a cardboard box about 10 inches deep, or one of those plastic crates for storing stuff. Put a small lamp in there without the shade. I had a small florescent light for under the counter that I used, but any small lamp will do. Cut a hole in the side of the box for the cord to go through. If you use a battery light you don't need the hole. Then find an old piece of glass or pexiglass from a picture big enough to place over the top of the box, and there you have it...an instant (free) light box.

Improtant: Tape the edges of the glass with McGyver tape (duct tape) or electrical tape so you don't accidently cut your quilting fingers.
2: If you have a table with a leaf extension, open that, place a lamp under the opening on the floor, find a piece of glass or pexiglass from a picture big enough to place over the opening and it is another free lightbox.
3: Get a clear plastic storage bin with a flat bottom, take off the lid, turn it over and put a small florescent lamp under it and you have a light box!

4: If you purchased one of those pexiglass sewing machine tables all you need to get is a small florescent light and put it under the sewing table and you have an instant light box.

4: Next time you are shopping for a coffee table, buy a glass top one and you have a light box when you put a lamp under it!

5: Use a *solar* light box...tape your pattern to a window and trace! Or tape it to your computer monitor. teeheehee...


WARNING! Do not leave any lamp on in a cardboard or plastic bin for a long time unattended. It can get hot.

great tip using the solar light box, it's the one I use all the time it also makes neighbors wonder what you are doing lol.

Stack up two piles of books about 12-16" apart.
Lay a piece of glass across the books.
Stick your fully opened Ott table lamp under the glass.
Viola!
Jan in VA

I have a huge leftover glass from a window - maybe it was to make a storm window for the winter.. Anyway, I lean that against the wall & put a lamp between the wall and the glass. Love it for tracing out big pattern pieces. :)

What great ideas. And they save me money too.

I got a clear clipboard at an office supply store (found a legal-size one) and find it very handy to use as a small light box - clip the pattern and fabric or whatever to the board and just hold it over a light source. Works well for small patterns.