If you don't like the shop lights, some plants surely will. The number of lumens decreases sharply with the distance from the tubes, though. Is it possible to put them on chains, so that you can experiment with thr right distance? I don't know about the T8s, but the standard shop lights are not very warm and a plant can be practically touching it. This should be very safe in case a quilt poofs up and gets close. I use a swing arm with an incandescent bulb and I have to watch it like a hawk.
I have 6 recessed cans over my cutting table, and they don't do as much for cutting as my cheapo table lamp from Walmart. I figure it's the closeness to the project. For my machine, I'm still working that out. Having windows behind my chair helps a lot, even in winter. I have 2 beautiful pendant lights over my table, and I think they're a bit glarey and not that comfortable to work under.
hugs,
Charlotte