It occurred to me that most schools are going to smart boards, which are basically white boards that connect to computers and work as projectors with a built-in screen. What this means is that the older version, overhead projectors, are now obsolete and are being dumped in landfills, or whatever, in multiples.

Every quilter could use an overhead projector, trust me. It's so easy to enlarge a pattern from a regular piece of paper or coloring book, small drawing, etc. and it doubles as the best light box! That means you will want to try to get your hands on a discarded projector.

If you have a teacher friend or family member, do yourself a favor and ask him/her to be on the lookout for a working projector that the school no longer needs. They have an inside track on things being discarded if they ask the right people, usually a librarian or media person, the principal or asst. principal, or other teacher friends.

If you're not so lucky, give the schools a call. Speak to the librarian (we're now called library media specialists, or LMS) and ask her to let you know if or when the school discards any projectors. Offer to pay, but she can't take the money, so you might consider donating a few books to the library. (Ask her the name of a popular novelist and purchase a few books if necessary.)

If your work pays off and you get a used projector, you can purchase replacement bulbs on the internet at sites like Bulbs Direct. Call and the salesperson will ask for the make/model of the projector, then tell you which bulb you need. Trust me, it's the easiest way....there are literally hundreds of different bulbs and not all projectors list the recommended type, although some do. The wrong type won't work!

It's easy to clean a projector and change the bulb, but you might ask the LMS to give you a quick lesson. ALWAYS wear cotton or rubber gloves when you touch the bulb: the oil on clean hands will blow the bulb when you turn it on! Ask me how I know :-)

Of course, you can always PM me if you have a question. I've been a LMS for years now, so I have changed a few bulbs and cleaned a few projectors.

Oh, you can use almost any clear plastic as film, but office supply stores do carry boxes of transparency film. You probably won't need more than 10 or so at first. Use a fine point Sharpie to trace your pattern onto the film--just set it on top the drawing you want to use. Then put the transparency on the glass and turn on the projector. Most projectors can be adjusted to get a clearer picture, just play a bit with the knobs and you'll figure it out.

I like to use thin poster board to make my pattern. I tape it to the wall, adjust the projector (moving it closer or farther away) to get the right size, and trace the pattern on the poster. Then cut away and you have a template or pattern.

Good luck! You'll love the projector and wonder how you got along without it!

What a great idea!!! I'll check into this.

I found a box with a projector at a gargae sale that my daughter wanted to do art work with. Its still in the basement after about 8 years, guess I'll have to bring it to my sewing room, if I can find room for it.

At our school, we keep all overhead projectors, and we're not a rich enough school district to go to smart boards. I don't know if all districts are like this, but it's worth a shot if you live in a rich enough area

I'm thinking...I wonder what they do with the portable screen? Covered with flannael, it make make a portable, retractable design wall?

You're so right about a projector. I got a small one about the size of a camera for christmas and I use it all the time. I put pics on a memory chip or scan patterns to computer to put on the chip and put the chip in the projector. My SO took a piece of plexiglass, cut it to the size I wanted and hung it on the wall in my sewing room and this is what I tape paper to. I project what I want and trace on the paper. It's great.

Great idea!! Thanks

I've seen them at garage sales around. You can also get a craft tracer/projector/enlarger like this one:

http://www.enasco.com/product/9729153

BTW, if you do any kind of crafts at all, you need to sign up for the Nasco Craft catalog at the above site!

Also, fleurdelisquilts, I love your avatar. I am currently making a bright + white quilt and was toying with the idea of a applique border, but wasn't sure what it would look like. Yours is FABULOUS!!! I'l have to use my enlarger to make some flowers & leaves.

Most of our smart boards came from grant monies or special education funds. We also have a few charter schools, which tend to be ahead of the game when it comes to technology.

We keep most equipment for several years if it's in good condition, but we have lots of storage issues b/c our schools are overcrowded. I'm in Louisiana, believe me, we're not rich. We do work hard, though, to provide some equipment for our teachers and students.

Opaque projectors are also fairly easy to make as a DIY project. All you need is a long focal length camera lens, a bright light, and a mirror. Many 'starving artists' build their own.