I have noticed that many quilters have their sewing machine set up in front of a window. I do too since I love the great light and also I have a beautiful view. But,,,,,I just recently took a class where the teacher cautioned against this. She said that the sunlight will yellow or discolor the back of your machine (or whichever side you have facing the window). It will also dry rot and bleach out the thread and fabric if they are left there for any length of time. Never thought about this before but it does make you stop and wonder. What are your thoughts?

I can't see with light shining in my face so I never set my machine in front of a window.

If you have low E windows that help filter the sun rays that shouldn't be a problem. However, if your windows are older she may have a point.:)

I too have difficulty sewing in front of a window. I prefer filtered light and a good task lamp.

My window faces north and never gets direct sun, but does get lots of light.

I don't keep the thread on there long enough for this to happen. I had made a sewing machine cover for my machine years ago that looked like a bunny doll and the skirt covered the machine and it did fade badly after a year or so. I would just keep it covered with something if that is a concern before I would give up a beautiful view while sewing.

i have the window light coming from the side. but i also have a gooseneck lamp shining on the needle area. i need lots of light to see what i'm doing.

Same here, plus my sewing room is actually a second-floor loft so it's open to the downstairs on one side. The ambient light from downstairs really helps brighten the space, especially in the morning (the open side is east-facing).

I prefer north-facing windows in sewing rooms. The light is still plenty bright, but never harsh or glaring, which can get tiresome to the eyes. It's also more consistent through the day, which is great for handwork.

I try to keep my machine covered when not in use and we have filmed windows to reduce fading etc. My machine doesn't sit directly in front of a window either.

I face a window but only get the late afternoon sun in m face, then I just tilt the blinds a little. I love the light coming in, plus my new sewing room is yellow and white (yellow carpet too), I love how light and warm it is, my little sanctuary.

I don't have mine set up in front of the window. My room takes the direct afternoon sun and mine blinds are closed to try and help with the afternoon/early evening heatup that occurs :-(. Plus, I like having mine back up to my craft desk, because it gives me plenty of support when I'm doing FMQ.

Sounds like worrying about only a little risk, to me. But I would not store fabric or thread where it gets direct sun for part of the day, for the risk of fading the colors. My windows face SE and South, and I love the bright light. Of course, my machine is an old, black Singer, so no new plastic case to worry about!

I have a wraparound porch that is covered so it is not so bright. My machines are in front of the window. I like to look out at the scenery.

I have mine in front of the window and don't get direct sunlight, it is at the front of my house so i only open the blinds when i sew, then close them. I don't think it will be a problem. Thanks for the info. If i notice it getting a little discolored i will move it.

I'd much rather have the light as to worry about the back of my machine. If your machine is an issue, very simple to make a cover. Thread and fabric can easily be put away. But she knows that.

My machines are covered when not in use. And usually the thread is put away in case the cat decides to explore.

There is also a UV film you can put on your window if this is a concern :D:D:D

Got to agree with this one!

Never thought of it but am wondering if the same would hold true for being in front of a window facing the North where there is no direct sunlight, just natural light. That is my plan for our retirement home we will be moving to in a couple of years. Will be interested in the posts on this thread. Thanks for posting.

Me, too! But I wouldn't think the thread and fabric that you are working on would be so badly affected in the time you're working on it. Interesting!

So what if it does? No one sees the back of my machine. Thread is easy to replace if it sits unused long enough to get heatstroke.

My sewing desk and machine are in front of a window, but it's a north facing window so it doesn't get any direct sunlight, but the teacher certainly has a reasonable concern. I would say that it depends on what the window direction is before worrying about sun damage.

Close your curtains when you are not sewing

My window faces west, and I like it because my bird feeders are on that side of the house and I like to watch the birds as I sew. The only problem is when the sun gets to that side of the house and shines on the shiny parts of my machine. By that time I am busy geting supper and I don't sew by machine after that. Maybe hand sewing in front of the tv.

My whole sewingroom outside wall is wall to wall floor to ceiling windows which everyone thought would be a marvelous idea but in the last few years, I can't see or stand light hitting my eyes from above, so to preserve heat and cool, they are now all draped and my machine and I are facing the side wall. I love in the winter to be able to see everything, tree skeletons, birds, whatever is out there so maybe in the winter, I will take down some of the drapes. Sad, isn't it.

Same here.

My windows are newer ones with the Low E gas. I also have mini blinds that are tilted so I get the light but not the sun rays.
When I am not sewing, my machine is covered and blinds closed tilted up.

I sew in front of a window. For years I sewed in the basment and always wanted to be able to have a view when I sewed. I get the morning sun so it's not quite as hot but I keep my machine covered when I'm not using it.

I sew in front of a window. For years I sewed in the basment and always wanted to be able to have a view when I sewed. I get the morning sun so it's not quite as hot but I keep my machine covered when I'm not using it.

My sewing room is in the basement - no windows or any type of natural lighting. But it is cool in the summer. My husband built me my own seperate room, so I can close the door to keep the cat out. I really love my sewing room because it is out of the way and I don't miss the natural lighting. Eight months out of the year, it's usually gray and overcast.

I don't know, I have a 30 year old Kenmore that has yellowed to the point of looking dirty and dingy and it has never been in front of a window. Until recently, I never took it out of the case unless I needed to work on a project and that would be on the dining room table. And when I was finished it went right back in the case and in the closet. The case looks worse that the machine, much more yellow. I never, before now, had a sewing area so I didn't leave my machine set up unless I was working on a particular project such a Halloween Costume or something like that.

My light comes from the east and I can watch a beautiful sunrise when I sew before my day actually starts. I can also see billions and billions of snowflakes in the winter. I have a cover for my sewing machine, I don't leave fabric on my table and right now I am getting ready to sew, watching the sun, already risen, peek its head over the top of the trees, then it slides to the right (south) and that is it! But the beauty of a Minnesota sunrise surpasses everything else! IMHO!!!!!!! Edie

I agree with Sizzer Queen. I had my table in front of my window so I could see what was going on and it almost blinded me. The light was too strong. I turned my table sideways so my side is to the window and it works great for me now.

Florescent lights can also cause damage. I used to have a work room in the basement when I did bed ruffles for a designer. The lights were on much of the time. They faded a signed Linda Stokes print that was given to me. I was just sick about it when I realized what had happened. I don't know if any fabric was affected because it was not left out for long, but my machine was definitely yellowed. I think fabric left on a design wall or stored on open shelving could be in harm's way.

I have windows on two sides where I sew. When I am not using my machine I make sure the cover is on it. That protects the thread also. I never leave fabric where the sun can directly hit it. My stash is in cupboards with doors on them. I know what the sun can do so I try to protect what is vunerable.

Same here :thumbup:

Mine is in front of a window due to no other place to put it. I don't really care if my machine yellows some; we all change with age anyhow. As for the thread; we are quilters here and how many of us are going to not sew long enough for our threads to change color or rot; not me. It might be different if my machine was just used to mend but mine is going all of the time; I think I'm good.

I donot have my sewing by a window, I always seem to set up in the basement. It always seem the best place as we live in a small house.

My sewing room is on the second floor . I also have a great view. my machine is in front of a whole bank of windows. I also love the natural light. When I 'm done I put my beautiful machine cover on the machine, whether i leave the blinds open or not.

I have two windows right next to my sewing machine, along with a design wall. Ahem, it's a sewing nook and is very small so my machine, windows, and design wall are all on top of eachother. I love the natural light, however I close the blinds for those couple of hours that the sun comes in very strong, and I keep them closed if I'm not working in there. I don't want my machine's electronics to cook, nor do I want the quilt on the wall to fade. This method has worked very well and I've never had any trouble with things fading or deteriorating.

My cuz in PA told me she was up stairs and smelled something like burning. She ran down the stairs and found the magnify glass on her quilting lamp was burning
thru on her material sitting there. The bright sun was coming in that picture window big time. Good thing she was at home or it could have been a different situation.