Inexpensive Light box
 

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.

Neat! Thanks for the heads up.

Great idea!

Open up the kitchen or dining room table. Place a piece of acrilic over the openintg. Then put a lamp or light on the floor underneatth, and you're good tp go!

Thanks for that tip - I am going to look for one at my local Walmart.

Thanks for this tip. It is a great idea.

I just got a cordless light for around $5 and put it in a clear flat tote and it works great and I can sit on my sofa and do it. I know others who have pulled thier center section out of thier dinning room table and put a clear piece of glass on it and a lamp under the table. It's great to have so many options like yours and the other ones on this board to save us money and still be able to do what we love.

I use the Crayloa box too...bought mine at a garage sale...works like a charm.

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.

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.

It must have been a different tracing box. The one I bought has LED lights and runs on 3 AA batteries.

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.

Sounds like an easy and cheaper deal.

Thanks for sharing this! SOunds like a great idea, especially when not at home! :)

Hahaha!! Perfect!! I'm going to have to raid the kids section! Thanks.

Bellaboo, that is a very good idea for quickies! Thanks for sharing! I saw one time if you have the clear extention table for your sewing machine, you can place a flouresant light underneath it and it works really well too.

I found it in the office supply dept. on the end cap of the aisle. No telling where it may be located in other Walmarts. I found them at Target in the book dept. I really like this as it is so portable and no set up involved. I keep it in my bookshelf on end like a book, it's thinner then many of my quilt books.

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Wonderful idea!

Wonderful idea, one could also sit a quilting block or pieces upon it when having to take out stitches, therefore seeing the stitches better. Going to get one.

For the batteries running down, I have a battery charger than takes 30 min. Just bring 2 sets of batteries, and you have an unlimited source of batteries. I use this with my flip-pal scanner. i need to test a light box for copying slides with a digital camera. I have a small light box somewhere in the house. For copying quilt patterns, I've most often used a window during the daylight. That's free.

I needed to trace some things the other day for a quilt I'm working on and ended up using a box, my very bright led flashlight(the BEST flashlight ever!) and my big square clear ruler. When I get a package I always break down the box to I can fold it up and add it to my stash, so I just grabbed one out, unfolded it, put it on my table, put the flashlight inside facing up and layed my ruler over the top, worked perfect! When I was done I just refolded the box and put it back, would probably work pretty good for travel too.

I just came from my local Wal Mart and I got the Crayola Light-Up Tracing Pad for $10.00 in the Xmas Toy Clearance. Its the super slim design and is blue and silver. It takes 3 AA batteries.

Great idea dude..........
I was am looking for a light box for my shop front desk including some led lights in it. Is it possible to use led light which cost less and give me more benefit.

Amazing the ideas quilters can come up with to save money and not purchase the expensive items made for quilting. I am going to remember this for the next 50% coupons from Joann's or Michaels. Thanks for the great idea.