At my sewing machine I'm able to get away with just 'reader' magnifying glasses. I have them all over the house in different strengths for different purposes. I also have 2 table-style halogen lamps. One next to my chair for hand-sewing and one in my sewing room to put whereever I need it. I find the light from halogen lamps to be amazingly clear and bright. I have yet to replace a bulb. The one downstairs for handsewing I've had for probably 20 years now.