There are numerous ways we draw designs on to our quilt tops. I bought a Sew Ezi Table about 3 years ago and I got the clear insert top also that could be used as a light box. I actually had not used it for that purpose until now. I drew a feather design on a piece of Mylar plastic (I didn’t have anything else on hand and didn’t want to run to Hobby Lobby) and thought to give it a try.
The shelve space under the insert is very narrow which is why I had not used it – you have to have a light under a light box in order for it to be a light box. Yesterday I got to thinking about it and decided to try out my little book light. After all it is a light and it is small – you sure can’t use anything larger – does anyone else have a lighting solution to this?
the narrow space to use a light in
the book light laying flat and the design taped to the clear insert
the book light laying flat under the clear insert on the narrow "shelf" (this is the area your sewing machine normally sits on)
the design showed through making it easy to trace. I taped my fabric in place so it wouldn't shift and used my mark be gone blue pen. The designed showed through better than this photo shows.
I have a large stencil of a feathered wreath that I am using on two of the plain blocks in the center of the quilt and then this design from the photo in the plain triangles and corners. I will be drawing a grid on it also for the empty spots.
Row 12 Block #1 - 25 more blocks to go - and 52 pieced triangles and 4 pieced corners - a bit of work still to go.
{ 4 comments }
Before I purchased a light box I would use my glass top dining room table and put an adjustable reading light under the table (you know one of those with a cone shade and a neck that twists in any direction). It worked great for me :0)
Crispy
my hubby made me a light box a few years ago. Its like a large oak briefcase. THis year he upgraded the light inside to LCDs. The illumination is much better that the florescent ever was. I will have to remember to post it on my blog one day. Its a great way to transfer quilting lines. I use it lots for when I am doing labels. I print them on the computer in whatever fancy font and then trace them using the light box.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Night Runner by Max Turner =-.
I need to get my hubby busy making me one – I don’t have a way to do mine – great tips! And if you like chocolate (and I don’t meet many who don’t!) run on over to http://excusemewhatwasthat.blogspot.com/ Christi’s blog and see her give a way of some wonderful brownies from Vermont Brownie Company – just another funny blogger!!
Teri Dingler
Karen, I have a metal box with a sheet of glass in the top that has a light bulb attached inside and a plug in cord on the outside. It was used originally for some kind of advertising. My husband got it at a business conference many years ago (some vendor was throwing it out) and thought I could use it. I did …. many times with a McKenna Ryan pattern. On your set-up I was wondering if you could use those small Christmas lights, perhaps even the low voltage ones. Maybe you could put a string of them on the shelve? I am thinking they would be narrow enough to fit and you might have them in your house already.
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