What kind of light bulb?
 

I know Ott lights are best, but right now I can't afford to buy one -- and I sew in my family room. (I've tried searching the board for the answer to this question, but I came up with 125 pages of threads about "light" weight fabric, "light" colors, etc) I have a floor lamp that I have over my shoulder that I always have on, as well as the overhead ceiling fan that has 3 bulbs, but I still have trouble seeing dark fabric at night. I wonder if a FULL SPECTRUM BULB in the floor lamp would help. Any thoughts? The ceiling fan won't take any larger-wattage bulbs because it uses the "chandellier" bulbs. I do need help though. I await suggestions.

You can buy regular socket Ott light bulbs at Joanns, I think I paid 5.00 for mine on sale. It does give a different type of light. I put it in my gooseneck lams for hand sewing.

I like Full Spectrum bulbs, but Phillips has a new EcoVantage Natural Light line I am trying. I can only use 60 watt bulbs in my overhead light because of the close proximity to the ceiling. These new energy saving bulbs are 53 watts, but as bright as 75 watts. Yes, they really are brighter than the 60w Reveal bulbs I replaced, so a switch of all the bulbs in the room might help. Then I have a small buffet lamp that sits behind my sewing machine that throws light on any area the SM light doesn't. Works for me. I'm going to buy the buffet lamp a EcoVantage bulb the next time I'm in Home Depot.

I bought a generic ott light at big lots and didn't pay any where near what they ask for the originals. That was several years ago and it was located in the furniture section.

Mary

My solution is to not try to do hand stitching on dark fabric at night. Even with fairly good lighting you can give yourself eye strain.

I use several Ott lamps....I have "aging" eyes so I need good light. They're not too expensive if you just buy the lightbulbs themselves and they work fine in most lamps. Good luck!

Buy just the Ott bulbs! And no need to get them from Joanns, many stores carry them - even some grocery stores. I have a cheapo floor lamp and desk lamp with them and its super!

After my gooseneck Ott light gave up the ghost, I bought an inexpensive floor lamp that uses full spectrum bulbs. It's been just as good for me, and replacing the bulb is cheap and easy - unlike the Ott. I bought mine at Office Max or Staples, and I just bought a replacement bulb at the grocery store.

Janet

I have a GE "Reveal" light bulb in my floor lamp (over my shoulder) and it is a wonderful lamp bulb. I always go to it to sort out my DH's socks - can finally tell the navy ones from the black ones. Seems like it was quite cheap - but don't know if you can buy them anymore as they have been taking away the "regular" light bulbs out of the stores.

I once had a guy explain to me in all kinds of technical jargon (which I no longer remember) that any full spectrum bulb is the same as an Ott full spectrum bulb. It's kind of like "soap is soap is soap", no matter how inexpensive or expensive it is. They are all the same.