I know how to MAKE a light box but I don't know how it can be USED!!! Can you can trace motifs from paper drawings and/or plastic templates?

Sure; it is used for tracing pictures, etc.

I use the picture window in the livingroom. I tape my pattern to the window and then trace it.

Put your original drawing down first and your paper that you what it copied to on top. It's the same concept as when you hold a paper up to the glass window to copy something.

It is helpful in tracing applique pieces too :D:D:D

I had a picture of a quilt that used the same block pattern as the one in my avatar. I enlarged it, taped it to the light box, laid plain paper over it and made an line drawing of the pattern. I then made several copies of the line drawing, let my DD color them and picked out the one we liked best as my color guide for my avatar quilt.

I have an old flat bed scanner that I use as a light box. Works great!

My family got tired of all our windows having pictures/patterns covering them up :)

I use my dad's floor model light table (he was a cartoonist) and I love, love, love it! Could be some sentiment and fond memories involved in that I guess :oops: , but I use it a lot for drafting patterns and combining pieces from different sources. You know, a little piece of this design, a smidgen of that one.

I use my all the time. You can put a picture on the table inside a plastic bag and lay cloth over the top. Then you can paint on the cloth and the picture is unharmed.