I got by without one for years--using windows and even the television screen. About two years ago, I picked one up on one of Joann's 40% off coupons and I wish I had done it years ago. I use it for scrapbooking, but also for setting up applique and a dozen other uses. If you can afford it, it's a great thing to have.

if you have an old drawer from a dresser put a light scocket with a light bulb,maybe one of the energy savers,.in it then use a plexiglass. Voila! you have your own light box.

If you have a plexiglass extention for your sewing machine you can put a light under that also.

I built my own light box. Had a 20" square of plexiglass cut at the local shop. Bought 4 plastic glasses from WalMart and an under counter light from the hardware store. Put the glasses under the 4 corners of the plexiglass the light underneath and your ready to draw. I also have a 36" square that I use 8 glasses and two under counter lights. works like a charm and the glasses stack to store and the plexiglass stands up right behind my cutting table, the lights in a drawer. Also travels well. Made a cardboard carrier for the large plexiglass by duct taping two pieces of cardboard together. The glasses and lights go in a bag.

My husband made me one using some left over moulding and a picture frame glass with a small christmas light inside but saw that you can use one of those round touch lamps for closets or whatever inside of it. I haven't used it yet but am planning on using it very soon.

same here...

Go for it .. it is not that hard just takes time to do each block..I did mine the fuseable web way . Each block is different and fun to do.

LOL.... here I thought it applied to quilting and it's usual effect on us and stood for All Over The House. LOLOL

I completely disagree with it being a waste of money. I got mine many years ago for $70~ and still don't regret it. There is nothing like taking it out of the box, plugging it in and start tracing. I don't have to fuss with glass, light bulbs, bending over the coffee table, adjusting the leaves in the dining room table, holding my arms up to the window or TV or anything. Just plug it in and go.

I am also doing the Affairs of the Heart quilt and there is a lot of tracing to be done for this quilt. I wish there was a 40% off coupon way back when I got mine!

Obviously the decision is yours, but in my opinion, it will make doing this quilt (and any future projects) much easier. That's my two cents! :lol:

Wow, what a great site. Thanks so much for finding & sharing it.

I bought my light box at AC Moore's about 10 yrs ago for about $20, if you don't have access to that store do you have Michaels they have them and usually accept JoAnn's coupons. They are definitely less expensive than JoAnn's.

Go to Home Depot, purchase a piece of Plexiglass ($3.99) get a tap light, and put it in some type of pan. Turn on the light, cover with the plexiglass and there you go. Compliments of Sew Many Ways.

I once sat in the car, and used the window. We are nothing if not creative.

If you can find an old computer scanner--the little flat ones that didn't do anything but scan--somewhere, take it apart and get its insides out. Then Velcro a flourescent light bulb into it and voila! you've got a great scanner for less than $10. It will proably take less than an hour to create it. I made one from a scanner that a friend gave me and I like it better than the commercially made one I also have. froggyintexas

I don't have a light box and needed to do some tracing once. It was winter and kind of dark outside, so holding it up to the window wasn't working, but I really wanted to get started on my new project. So I just put a lamp outside my window, came inside, and did my tracing. It worked great!

Lots of good ideas here, and multiple ways to make a light box. When I need one, I know what I can do. This board is wonderful!

There are other options- can use a window- a blue tv screen. a glass dish over a flash light, a storm window over a lamp on chairs- I've tried all of them whether transfering a patten or a rough draft of an illustration- depending on you size need and how much you want to set up is how I decide what I am willing to get out. I have a very nice light box hand made by my father years ago but for the life of me I can't locate it. Other options are a glass coffee table or check the toy department they may have something at a much lesser price

I'm right there with ya' NYCQUILTER. Especially now that fabric is $11.50/yard. Yikes!!!

I have a professional light box....my cutting board is used on it, blocking out the light. Rarely do I need the light box as I did when working in calligraphy and graphic arts. But then I am not paper piecing at this time.

I still haven't decided. So many good ideas. I forgot about Michaels and I have a nice gift card. Hummmm. I knew I would get some great answers. Just didn't know I would get so many. THANKS!

I was watching Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting a few days ago. They had a guest that was using a short plastic storage tub with a cheap fluorescent light like you would mount under a cabinet under it. I haven't tried it yet, but he said that is what he always uses.

He mentioned that you could just use a battery operated push one light as well.

If you have one of those clear extension tables for your sewing machine, you can use that too, just put a light under it. That's what I use....

i got a piece of plexi glass and open the table where a leaf goes in and put a light under the table.
Or you can do the same and cut two 2x4 lumber and put on the table and light under. Get one of the florsent strip lights that goes under the cabinet for light.

are you going to do a lot of tracing where you would need a light box. If not, save your money until you actually need it. You said "I have all my supplies" etc. Light box is not a normal item for quilting unless you are going to do a lot of tracing. If you are tracing a background design for applique and using a light fabric, you can probably just put a white sheet or white paper under the design and a strong light above and you will see thru that. I have used this tehnique in marking wholecloth quilts on white or off white (muslin) fabric.

SharBear, thank you so much for the link! I had been thinking along those lines, but the foil pan is super. That way the light get reflected around, and makes the light even brighter. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The quilt I am starting has a lot of tracing. The background is black.

I agree with most of the others that you can find other ways to accomplish your need. I have a light box but find I don't use it very often because it doesn't have a permanent spot and is stored in the closet. I go for whatever is closer and faster.

Me personally I love my Art tracer II lightbox, great for applique and paper piecing easy to move around. I think its worth the investment personally, just use your 50% off coupon and its not that bad, It will earn its keep, trust. You can use it on your lap, I love it

I use a crisper drawer with the glass shelf from my old fridge my brother drilled a hole for the cord to slip thru but a cardboard box and plexi-glass will work so long as you don't have a box addicted kitty

I bought an inexpensive light box at Hobby Lobby. Don't remember how much I paid for it, but I'm sure it wasn't very much (or I wouldn't have bought it). Before, I had been using a glass top table and a desk lamp. Now I can set up my light box where I can sit more comfortably. We save money in so many other ways, we deserve to splurge on ourselves occasionally.

I usually do the window trick too but read the other day where a lady took the bottom out of a bedside table drawer and replaced it with a plexiglass and when she needs a light box she empties the drawer , turns it upside down and puts a light under it. I think it's a great idea as you don't use light boxes a lot. Over here they are expensive and they take up good storage space.

Deb, if you do that...you'll need a spank, as the grandbabies say!
You could show me at the mousepad.
I'll show you mine :lol:

I sure don't want a spank by a mousie, so I guess I will share.

:lol: :lol:

Would something like this work? It is not that much.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/ar...wmckw=55315-10

This is one of my favorite craft stores.

Thanks for sharing. That looks really good.

I made a box out of an old fridge glass shelf on a wooden frame. It has a light bulb set in it and I have it standing up against the wall when I am not using it. I put the box on the table when I need to use it and it is better for my back as I have oesteo-arthritis and my back becomes very sore if I try anything else. The box is easy to make, if you have some one who can make one for you it will be a lot cheaper than a new light box as they are very expensive.

I made a box out of an old fridge glass shelf on a wooden frame. It has a light bulb set in it and I have it standing up against the wall when I am not using it. I put the box on the table when I need to use it and it is better for my back as I have oesteo-arthritis and my back becomes very sore if I try anything else. The box is easy to make, if you have some one who can make one for you it will be a lot cheaper than a new light box as they are very expensive.

ok folks, I am still new to some of the techniques. what do you use a light box for?????? :shock:

I LOVE this idea...thank you!
K

Great ides! have heard of this idea before on Fon and Porter.