I'm feeling so full of myself today. I am taking a hand applique class and we have to trace a large basket of flowers pattern onto a background 26" square. I can never see properly through fabric so while I was lying in bed, I thought about how to make my own light box.

I found an old window with a frame in the garage, and put it over a milk crate. My small ott-light fits in the milk crate with the wire coming out through one of the holes. I will masking tape the pattern to the glass and the fabric on top. The whole thing will fit and I won't even have to move it around on the box!

Now why didn't I think of it years ago???

Necessity is the mother of invention. I never really understood that until I was a mom on a budget! LOL

I love the milk crate idea, the holes for the plug is perfect!

great idea!

would love to see picture of your applique basket of flowers

My cutting table is a glass top on a brass frame. ott light clmps on it just fine when I need a 'light box'!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Smart girl.

Great idea!

When doing stained glass, I got an old drawer at a salvage yard. Drilled a hole in the back and put a small fluerescent light in it. Then I bought a 1/4" thick piece of glass that fit the top of the drawer. I still have it!!! WHY didn't I think of getting it out?????

:thumbup: :-) :thumbup:

Very creative! I have a piece of plexiglass I lay across the rollers on the long arm frame.