I was using a light box used for treating seasonal affective disorder (seasonal depression . . . whatever), but it was kind of a pain. It wasn't flat for one thing. So I decided to buy an actual light box. I like it a lot. It works so well, and I do a lot of applique. I also like it for making landscape quilt patterns. I've heard of people making them from those square plastic thread totes, however. Just take out the thread peg pieces, then put a flashlight inside, and Voila!