Thread: Light box

Years ago when I was into Calligraphy I wanted a light box. I mentioned it to my dh & he made me one that is about 17" x 22". I use it for my quilting now. It has been well used & of course 1 of a kind. Thank goodness for talented hubbys!

That's a great idea, I never would have thought to look in a toy department. Thanks for the tip.

Cool idea, maybe I will get my DH to make one like that. I have a smaller one I got at Michaels years ago but it is too small. I have some plexiglass already so he just needs to make the fram and we have oodles of white christmas lights we don't use.

I so love this site!!

I was just thinking ... why couldn't you use a picture frame? Just cut a bottom from balsa wood at slightly larger than the size of the inside glass, then use narrow width and about six inch heigth moulding strips and little 'L' brackets. Put it all together with brad nails or small screws after appling some elmer's glue around the edge. Drill a hole for the plug to go through the bottom box and insert a inexpensive floresent light. You could even use the picture hanger hardware as a way to hang it up in your room to store it. I am thinking screws would be best in case you had to replace the floresent lamp bulb.

I use a screen door glass that I prop between two TV tables with a light underneath. It is a pretty good size and I was able to trace a large center panel of a quilt using that method.

The panel is in the middle with the rest of the quilt around it. I made two.

This is the quilt that I traced using the above method.

That is a great idea. I also thought about putting a large inexpensive picture frame on an easel and put a light behind it, then you could at least sit down and it would fold up nicely. Those frames can often be gotten at thrift stores or garage sales for next to nothing, put the Ott light behind it and you would have a nice light box.

I made one from an old scanner. Just took out all the works from inside and put in an under-the-cabinet light. Works great for smaller stuff but really needs to be bigger for the bigger things.

Quilters are "sew" clever!

Di

I have a glass top table for cutting, and hook my ott light under it. Easy to take down and store when not in use.

You guys are all sooo clever!!

I don't want to appear dumb but what are you all using the light boxes for? Paper piecing?

Mine is made from an extra cabinet drawer with a small (uncounter) tube light affixed to the bottom (turned on), and a plexiglass top. When you plug it in, the light comes on. The handle on the drawer is how I carry it and thread the cord through it when not in use.

NOTE: I get my best results when I turn on box light on and the room light OFF.

Suzanne

Originally Posted by JCL in FL

I don't want to appear dumb but what are you all using the light boxes for? Paper piecing?

No question is a dumb one. If you never done it how are you going to know what to do without asking.
Light Boxes are used to Trace... Patterns,templates. You use them for easy tracing for piecing,embroider,applique. You can trace template patterns without destroying the original.
BillsBonBon

You can make a simple light box, if you have a table that you can put in extra leaves, by opening it up partially, put a lamp or fluorescent light on the floor under a PLEXIGLAS sheet. Works well. Saves you money, only a two by 3 foot sheet, does not cost that much and stores easily in a closet or between/behind a dresser.

Trace quilting designs directly on quilt for quilting or in the case of the one I did a large embroidered panel, I traced the words onto the material.

Di

I took an old scanner I had, removed the insides, then put a small under the counter type florescent light inside of it. You can find old scanners at a second hand shop if you don't have one in the attic. They are usually only a few dollars. Mine is lightweight and portable.

My light box from an old scanner from the attic.

well, i showed one to hubby in a catalog, and said, I think there must be a cheaper way, and he said, "i could make one of those."
So, he started it, went to get the flourescent light thingy, and went to a friends house, that has all the woodworking tools, bc he used to be a cabinetmaker, and he came back home with a beautiful 14 x 16 light box, that I love.
I do wish it had things on the back to hang on the wall, but not sure if i even have a place to put it on the wall. been keeping it on a shelf.
I love it. :D

Originally Posted by JCL in FL

I don't want to appear dumb but what are you all using the light boxes for? Paper piecing?

I use mine to trace applique patterns on to freezer paper.

mine was free- hubby's engineering dept. was cleaning out a closet. He brought it home, thought I might be able to use it.

I used it to trace embroidery patterns on squares.

Now if only they would throw out a drafting table.

Originally Posted by Barbm

mine was free- hubby's engineering dept. was cleaning out a closet. He brought it home, thought I might be able to use it.

I used it to trace embroidery patterns on squares.

Now if only they would throw out a drafting table.

Good luck with that one!

I ended up ordering one online from Joann's. they had free shipping and a 40% online coupon. So it totaled something like $8.50. I figured, what the heck. its the 6X9 so I'll try it out and them if I feel like I need something bigger I'll go from there.

wow, Colletta, have you priced them? you got a steal! I would have snatched it up to. Your right, you can always upgrade later, and now there are a lot of ways to do that, on this thread. wtg! :D

I have a glass dining room table too.... with a lamp underneath it's the biggest light box ever! Not highly portable though! LOL

Another trick I've heard over here if you get stuck.... turn your oven light on and tape your picture to the glass door.