I Need More Light to Quilt by... Lamp Recommendations?
 

I've been sewing in my quilting room/spare bedroom for about 2 weeks now. Granted, we've had a lot of cloudy weather lately but I am finding that I need a LOT more light. In addition to a main overhead light, this room has recessed lighting over my cutting table (perfect!) and an extra overhead fixture where my sewing table is. I find myself using my flip up (probably the original model) OTT-lite next to my sewing machine while I'm piecing. The area where I press is not well lit.

I used to sew in a large closet next to my laundry room which was all fluorescent lighting. Not beautiful, but great for sewing!

I'm going to try upgrading the bulbs in the fixtures, but I'm thinking I need some type of floor lamp that I could use when I'm machine quilting next to my table and move elsewhere as needed. My last OTT brand floor lamp quit working all of a sudden and the reviews I've read at joann.com aren't that positive about the current models. I'm looking for recommendations as to what has worked for you. Thanks!

I just got a cheap pole lamp at Walmart for $5...It takes a 3 way bulb and works G REAT for sewing...Other times I have found I had trouble seeing to thread my needle (old age sucks)..I use a book light, with white paper under it to help me see the eye of the needle.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/71-Floor-Lamp-Black/12173437

This is the lamp I got.When I was in the store a few weeks ago it was on sale for $5..

I have a cheap floor lamp with three moveable lights. Put in daylight bulbs (expensive but long lasting). Cheaper than the fancy daylight lamps!

I love my Ott Lite.

Ikea has some affordable floor lamps.

I use a large size clamp on lamp from JoAnn's. It is wonderful. You can also buy the small ones at sewing places. They have a good sized clamp to attach to your machine.

Personally I don't like overhead lighting at all in the sewing room. You get glare and shadows both. I much prefer task lighting. For any kind of hand work I like having a light I can adjust to be over my right shoulder so it shines on my work, not in my face.

I have one inexpensive WalMart floor lamp that pretty much lights up my entire sewing room. By my ironing board, I have a floor Ott lamp that I turn to light up my cutting table when needed. I also have an Ott floor lamp by my sewing machine and serger. My sewing room has lots of natural light and a large overhead light. One of my Ott lamps is over 15 years old, the other about 1 year old. I have never had any trouble with them. I think they are wonderful!

Get anything that you can use "daylight bulbs: in.

My personal preference is halogen lighting. They definitely get hot to work under for long periods but I find the color range I find exceptional and the brightness is beyond compare.

I love my OTT task lite. I do not like the new energy light bulbs - they have a 'dull' tone to them for me.

One of my reading friends bought a floor lamp [Ott type but not by Ott] off the net. It was very affordable. She ended up with two and gave me one. I use if for reading mostly.

Hint: if you find you need more light remember to get your eyes checked.

ali

I bought two clamp on reading lights and they work great!

Big Lots carries a very inexpensive stand up lamp that looks a lot like Otto lights. I think I paid $27 for mine. It is just like my friends Otto.

I use OTT bulbs in a cheap adjustable floor lamp from Lowe's. I don't understand why anyone would need the OTT fixture-the bulbs are what is important

Thanks for all of the excellent advice everyone... lots of good ideas to try. I wish it was an eye problem but I just had my annual exam in July. I'm thinking it's a combination of an east facing window, my wall paint color and just plain getting older!

Hopefully upgrading the fixture light bulbs along with that inexpensive Walmart lamp that Pat625 suggested will be a good start! I wonder if I have an extra OTT bulb laying around from my old lamp... didn't even think of that sewingladydi.

these are from IKEA Swing Arm 8.00 dollars Bendable small lite was 29.00

I saw some LED bulbs the other day At COSCO or Sams I did not get any yet but I think I will try some the next time I go back. They were cheaper than the flo. bulbs and I like the lite they put out.

I am getting cataracts that aren't to the point where they can be operated on yet, but man, do they interfer with my vision. I have oneoverhead light with 2 old fashioned 100 watt bulbs in it, on ott lamp on my work table, a floor lamp with a 300 watt lamp in it. I may get something else. I find that bringing in more floor lamps is better than bringing in more task lighting. They light up a larger area and don't take up room on my table.

As I said on another thread, when we moved to our current house last year, DH replaced lights with LED arrays. I have tracks over my sewing area, my recliner, the kitchen work surface and the bathroom. I love them. Of course, they cost more to set up, but they provide excellent lighting at low operating cost. My sewing cabinet is right under a window. I also have a goose-neck LED desk light on the window sill. All the other lights came from Lowes. DH made careful calculations and concluded that even in our low-cost electricity area, the break even point on cost would be under 5 years. AS we get older, more units can be added to the tracks. The individual LED arrays use 5-7 watts of power but effectively replace regular household bulbs. The light quality is excellent. I have tried and disliked floorlighting. It got in my way. IMHO, LEDs are the way to go.

I bought a little adjustable led light at the Dollar Tree for $1.00. Then used the 3M strip to hold it to the front of my sewing machine. Works like a charm!!! And it's only a dollar. If the batteries run out I can either replace the whole thing or just the batteries.

Might even consider putting one on the side of the sewing machine as well.

Good luck!

I bought one of these last night for $4 (still can't believe that price!) in white (they also had silver, green and hot pink as well as black) and it is just what I needed... I forgot to buy a 3 way bulb, duh moment, but even with a regular bulb it makes so much difference that the 3 way will be the icing on the cake so to speak! Thank you Pat625.

Nothing fancy & easy to assemble, the flexible plastic globe does make me laugh a little but it looks fine and certainly won't break... I'm planning to buy one more for the other corner of the room as the 9" base makes it easy to fit anywhere.

QM, I think that down the road when I move the trundle bed out and dedicate this room to only quilting/crafting I'll invest in some LED or similar lighting. That would be ideal.

I bought a light at Menards that is similar to an ott light with the full spectrum lighting. When they're on sale, it's about $20. Very similat to the more expensive ones.