Thread: Inexpensive Light box

If you have a top loading washer you can put a piece of acrylic over the top and a lamp inside and it makes a nice large space to trace patterns. Or if you need a small one, a flashlight under a baking dish.

Originally Posted by BellaBoo

If you don't have a light box and want one that can be used anywhere, no plug required, weights practically nothing, sits on your lap and is cheap get one of these: http://www.crayola.com/products/ligh...g-pad-product/

I bought one today at Walmart for $20.

It works great. it holds a 8 x 11 1/2 paper but any size could be used. I put a printed pattern on it and could see through solid bright yellow fabric perfectly. I did tape the pattern to the pad using painters tape so it wouldn't move at all. If I was a die hard appliquer I'd have a pro one, but this one does a fantastic job for me.

I also bought one from Walmart but the problem I have: the light is a very small bulb and runs on 4 D Cell Batteries and it isn't long before the light begins to dim and the batteries are dead. I went with the piece of plexiglass, put on top of four vegetable cans in each corner and then put a string of Christmas white lights underneath. Works perfectly.

I use to draw soil maps for Natural Resources Conservation Service and worked from home so I had a large light table built which has a light section that is 2 X 4 ,it's oak and tilts but I never seem to use it for quilting. I tend to use a piece of acrylic sitting on 2 pieces of wood with a light underneath.

Thanks for the tip. I have a large light box, but it isn't very handy for classes or travel---too big. This is a great idea.