Florescent lights faded a banner I made!
So I hang the florescent lights up side down from chains, over my tables and and sewing area. It really lights up better for a large space. Over my 12'longarm I put up a bar and mounted 6 swing arm lamps. I use the daylight bulbs, [no heat] and they are swing to where I need them, front,back, side to side. If I only need 3 I use 3. over my sewing machines I use the swing arm lamps, one on each side.

love ur idea,Kitsie, believe I am going to Lowes tomorrow for a Ott Bulb, maybe 2, I like to read too! thanks for the tip.

I bought an OTT light from JoAnn's when they had a sale of 50% off plus 20% on your total order. Its the best thing I ever bought besides my sewing machine.

I like the compact fluorescents, they don't flicker like the tube ones used to. I use these in the overhead fixture and have a small bendable LED light that I can use to put a strong focus on a small area when I'm ripping something apart :(

i have 2 ott lights--love them!!! i even have a little one for classes....makes a big difference!

I do a lot of that. My seam ripper is my best friend!

We've changed to almost all florescent bulbs and lamps now and they are sooooo much better than those of years past. I really like them.

Hubby is going to put a 2ft x 4ft florescent light on the ceiling for me above my cutting table. He was going to put it above my sewing area but the AC/heating vent is in the ceiling right there and he can't cover it.

I also have a generic brand floor lamp similar to an OTT behind my chair pointing toward my sewing area.

The more light the better.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

Don't have time to read through all the replies, so forgive me if I'm repeating someone. I bought Ott light bulbs and love them!

My DH bought me an Ott light earlier this year - one with an elongated light and gooseneck. I can maneuver and situate it however I want around my machine or couch when hand-stitching. I really like it a lot! It's also great when picking out fabrics - shows true colors.

I am so glad I found this topic! Should have found it earlier as I was trying to sew navy blue fabric with a small desk lamp and the non-existent light on my sewing machine. I can't use flourescent as they give me migraines. I wear no-line bi-focal glasses, too, so that is another issue. I was looking at the Ott lights but never could bring myself to spend the money so I'm glad to know that I might be able to buy the knock-off at Big Lots. I have to have a bright white light to really see well. I'm thinking about getting a floor lamp (knockoff Ott) so it doesn't take up a lot of room on my sewing cabinet. My overhead light is a ceiling fan with 3 lights and I put in the highest wattage it calls for. I then have 2 other lamps in my little tiny sewing room/office and still can't see well so hate to go in there in late afternoon or night. Luckily, there is a large window that lets in good light during the day...if the sun is shining, that is!

I used a shop light fixture with full-spectrum light bulbs. This provides the true color lights without a major cost. You will be able to choose between daylight and noon light. Select daylight if the fixture is close to your work and noon light if more than 4 feet away. These lights also help with seasonal affective disorder, if you happen to suffer from that.

I love having the center ceiling fan (a must for me) with multiple light outlets and CFL bulbs and an Ott task lamp wherever I am working. Oh...and be careful not to judge the quality of lighting until the bulbs have been on a few minutes. They get better.

LED lights are great...we use them in the overhead lights in our quilting room and they are bright and last a LONG time..they are pricey right now but as time goes on they will come down in cost..they will be replacing the CFL's with mercury in them

Whatever you do, remember that as you age you will need more lighting, so keep it flexible, if possible. In my machine area, I have 2 large LED spot lights, with an OTT light I can shift into position when I need an extra light. Besides being very energy efficient, the LEDs are cool lights. They don't heat up the area. DH is planning to add more LEDs over my stash area. Unlike many, I don't, however, care what it looks like, I only care what it does for ME. Previous to the LEDs, I had shop lighting, which I liked also.

I too was shocked at the high price of Ott Lites. But many years ago, I bit the bullet and bought my desk lamp w/ heavy base. I've not been unhappy with it at all, in fact I love it. I still am using the original bulb and that lamp is at least 8 years old. The lamp is used just about everyday and sometimes for 6 hours straight.

The question was ask if LED light was true color. I have 2 LED lights in my sewing room and they give me the same color match has my Ott-Lite does. The LED lights are a pure white light and much brighter than any other light I have.

where did you get your lights??

Connie, if you are referring to the change in Ott lights, they are moving to LED bulbs, not halogen. We have converted to LED in our kitchen and the difference is amazing- pure colors, they do not get hot, they cost virtually nothing to run, have no mercury like the compact fluorescents, and last for years. You are right about the halogen, they DO NOT last very long at all! The only downside to LED is the initial cost, but they are coming down in price- our Home Depot now carries them. The cost is quickly made up by the energy savings! They do come in two colors, cool and warm, the warm is more like the regular light bulbs, the cool has a distinct blue tinge.

I love my Ott light lamps - I have the floor lamp by my chair in front room for use while watching tv and table lamp in sewing studio that I can point to machine or chair while doing hand work...
My husband installed ceiling fan with lights and that is perfect for general room light since I also have natural light coming in through two large double windows in my room also. I had track lighting in my old sewing room, and they worked great also-
My hubby is electrician, so I BETTER NOT have any lighting issues!!!

:lol: :lol:

I just do not like the Halogens lights. I use the lights from the ceiling fan in the room, my machine, and I keep a swing arm light from JoAnns next to my sewing table.

I have a ott light and love it. It's a table light and would like to get the floor light, but too spendy

eaglebeak1960,
I purchases my 28 LED task lights from All Brands.com for about $60.00. Be sure that you are getting the attachment bracket were every you order.
I also have one over my sergers that is only 6 LED flexible arm that I got at OVC for about 1/2 the price and it's not even half the light.
I think Connie was asking why everything is going to LED lights.
First, the regular light bulb will no longer be available by Jan 2012 or any bulb that has mercury. The next thing is electric cost that will be going up really fast because of the oil prices. The LED takes about 80% less electric to run and the bulbs have lots more hours on them. We put all LED in the kitchen and under cabinets and it cost us several hundred dollars, but my first month electric bill went down over $20. Sam's Wholesale carries some of the LED bulbs and so does Home Depot.

I hate the CFL bulbs! I have had two that burned out start to melt the plastic they are mounted in! If I hadn't been home and smelled the burning plastic, my house could have gone up in flames. They are a health hazard and not many people dispose of them the right way. I thought the environmentalists were all up in arms about the former president not doing enough about lowering Mercury levels in our ground water. Now they are so happy that the only bulbs we will be able to buy release mercury when broken. Huh? You have to call HAZMAT if you break one in your house. Just ridiculous. There. I said it.

I go a generic Ott light at Lowe's or Home Depot for my FIL - he has macular degeneration as well - was far less expensive then Joann's

My OTT light came from an office supply store at $13. It's one of the same ones I've seen at several times the price through quilting sites. DH saw them and bought me 3.

A fairly big % of our national power bill is spent on lighting. LEDs are much more efficient. My high powered LED spot lights use 7.5 watts, but are comparable to 150 watts of ordinary light. DH and I are probably more fanatical about this because we live off the grid, but everyone should be more concerned, IMHO. Whether powered by oil, coal, or whatever, power is becoming a major national problem. My desk light uses 3 watts of power and lights extremely well. We are converting our home to LEDs as we find them on sale.

We have 4 of the 4ft Shop Lights with the florescent tubes and I love them! I also have a floor Ott light beside my machine & a Bendable Bright Light on my machine. So I am very well lit! LOL

Good for you,, and for your eyes.

I have about 650 sq ft. of sewing and quilting space. It has 7 eyeball recessed lights from the 70's that I have placed GE Reveal bulbs in. I recently got a LA and found I needed more light, especially in that area. I put in a "T" shaped track with 8 fixtures. I love the track! You can aim the bulbs criss-crossing around the room and the coverage is incredible.

The problem at the present is that the energy consumption of incandescent bulbs and halogens are quite high for the light output. The heat output is equal at the same wattage. However, the shape and focus makes the halogens seem hotter.

My DH and I have tried about 7 different CFL's with varying satisfaction. The "coil only" versions are difficult to look at, very bright. The flood style with the coil enclosed is more diffused and easier on the eyes, but pricier! Color, light output, and watts are all important factors. Rating systems exist for all of these issues, but it takes a lot to sort it out.

BTW, it is getting very difficult to find the "Edison" screw-in fixtures and lamps as the energy conservation becomes more of a priority.

In my area, Salt Lake, the Lowes and Home Depot are carrying a different mix of bulbs. It pays to look at each.

I love my Ott's and think they are the best for localized task lighting.

Good luck! Get what you really like. It makes a big difference in how your space feels.

What I wouldn't give to have that much space for a sewing room. That's almost as big as my home. I could really make a mess and you could still get around without having to stop and clean up before you start a new project. I'm with you when it comes to the ott light. It's great.

ditto.

florescent lights are available in many different "warmths" or color spectrums. check out a display of the different ones at a home improvement store; you may find one you like.

I know! I am really spoiled! I love it, though!!!

My halogen bulbs get so hot over my sewing table I have to run the A/C as well as the ceiling fan. I wish for an Ott lamp for my table.

stuff the tracking and shop lighting ,get a 1/2 standard lamp with a 150 watt bulb ------all you need for hand quilting!

I work with many types of lighting in my job and favor LED lighting. I recently put track lighting above my longarm and used ECOSMART led A19 bulbes in the track lighting. You can also use these bulbs in any light fixture that takes a regular light bulb. These bulbs as well as Phillips are available at Home Depot & Lowes. It is more of a white light than florescents is pleasing to the eye and uses less electricity.
It takes 6 LED's to equal the energy used in1 regular 60W light bulb.
The down side to LED's is they may go out but usually within the first 30 days, once past that they are very dependable and they have a warranty for 6 years so you can return them.

Good to know the equivalent conversion for LED's. Thanks

Do you know that flourescent light will fade colors in fabric faster than direct sun? I had a wallhanging in my office, after a couple of years, took it down to wash and the same fabrics on the back were still vivid...not at all like to front. Also, had a wallhanging at a craft/antique shop for about 6 months, the flourescent light hit at a diagonal across the lower side..very noticeable fading there.

Oh, my goodness! A sewing room to die for!!!

I have an Ott lamp to do hand sewing, over head lights but my favorite is a torche' (spelling?) that I use with a 500 Watt bulb. I don't have any trouble with being too hot. It lights up my room like I'm at the beach. The last bulb lasted 4 years and cost $7.98 at Lowe's. I tried not replacing the bulb when it burned out but it's like working in a mine at night without it.
My eyes have changed and I can't see up close very good at all. I guess you have to use what works for you...

I have shelves about 18"-24" above my sewing machine and my cutting area. I went to Home Depot and bought some small flourescent lights that hang under the shelf (about 18" long), and wow what a difference! All I had before was ceiling light. Now I can see detail in what I am doing.........