Do you have any lighting tips for us to make sure we can see well enough to stitch through the long dark winter?
This is a photo that shows my favourite Ikea lamp that I use for hand work. It has a solid base and a flexible neck to focus the pool of light where I need it. This is my winter hand quilting project which is great to cuddle up under on those cold winter nights. I will return to working on it once I finish the bow tie quilt.
Speaking of which, I did finish one corner of the bow tie quilt this week. It looks good in real life, but I couldn't get a decent photo of it last night. It's too dark!
My goal today is to finish the second corner and the quilting will then be more than half way done!
What are you hand stitching today? Link up your blog post below and share your project and your lighting tips with us.
In the UK our clocks went back last weekend, so I enjoyed my extra hours sewing then! I use a craft light that like yours you can position where you want, its also got a magnifier on it but don't need to use that yet (give it a few more years and I might!) I do love your bow tie quilt and the border looks great. Have a wonderful restful day!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is leaving for 2 days so we had to get up 'earlier' (but normal time yesterday) to get the milking done 'early'. Tomorrow morning I have to get up an hour 'early' but it will the same time as old time. Tuesday we'll finally get our hour extra sleep. I would rather not have had changed time. I would prefer my extra hour of sunlight in the evening. Your bow tie quilt is looking lovely! Blessings, Gretchen villacrestfarm@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI have an Ott light which I use when sewing. I also wear my sewing glasses... I did some binding on a baby quilt this week and had all the lights in the room on as I sewed and watched a movie. I find hand sewing with black thread on black material to be the hardest to see and try to avoid this combination! Your bow tie quilt looks great...I love the texture you are creating with your quilting.
ReplyDeleteThe one good thing about our clocks going back is that I will be going to work in the light every morning. The bad thing is that all of my crafting time will be in the dark. I have an Ottlite that I purchased a while ago that is perfect, but my husband finds the light too bright even from across the room. I use it when I am alone. Otherwise I stick to crochet at night which doesn't require such bright light. I like the light that you have that can be positioned to light what you are working on. I will have to visit IKEA. Both of those quilts look great. You are making quick work of quilting your bow tie.
ReplyDeleteOur clocks went back here this weekend, though I haven't changed mine yet...I hate when we do this time change 2x per year! :)
ReplyDeleteI have just a standard lamp next to my chair, but I tend to sew or stitch in the daytime on the weekends. I'm working on binding a quilt today, but it is the mystery for next year so I can't share it yet.
ReplyDeleteI forgot again this year but gained an extra hour when I finally set the clocks back, as far as lighting, I have floor lamps beside the sofa and chairs,I have a few portable Ott lights for those times I need extra light.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm a rebel, but I love the fall time change! I don't care for the spring time change at all, though! I have an artists clamp lamp that is wonderfully bright and doesn't get hot. It really illuminates well! The RV tends to be dark, anyway, since all the windows are tinted. I also have a "happy light" that I'll start using daily with the shorter days! Happy stitching!! :)
ReplyDeleteSince I'm the thrift store queen, I have lamps all over the place. Sometimes I turn on a couple, so that they don't cast shadows from one side or the other. In the summer, I only turn on the IKEA light on my needle, but, in the winter, I have several desk lamps that I also turn on, so that my sewing room is BRIGHT. My eyes are too old not to have LOTS of light now, and hubby also likes lots of light now, too.
ReplyDeleteI had thought to get one of those little Ikea lights and never did - I have a lamp on the side table that I have turned on all the time it seems and it can extend over closer to the quilt project if needed as it has a flexible base - it is a table lamp though I can't move it to the arm of the chair like you do
ReplyDeleteGreat theme this week Kathy!! YOur sewing spot looks cozy!
ReplyDeleteI have several of the IKEA lights and love them--the price is amazing too! Having had cataract surgery on Tuesday, I am shocked at how much brighter things are around here--no wonder I needed so much lighting--lol! I'm not looking forward to sunset at 5:05 pm tonight though!
ReplyDeleteI loved your Ikea lamp.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful and productive week
Our clocks went back today. Your bowtie is looking real good, I hope you have a chance finish your corner today. I have a couple of those Ikea lights, I really like them.
ReplyDeleteTerry
first, Yes to your glass of wine :)
ReplyDeleteI have tried so many different lights but the Ott light is my favorite. If I can I stitch in good daylight when possible. It is definitely harder in the winter months.
I had my husband install LED lights above my quilting frames downstairs. It's not very decorative but I don't need my beloved Ott light anymore. I now have it in the bedroom so I can applique in there. Here is the link;
ReplyDeletehttp://www.costco.com/4%E2%80%99-Linkable-LED-Shop-Light-with-Pull-Chain%2c-2-pack.product.100284402.html
The two fixtures light up the who basement so I have light to quilt, light to applique, and light to work on my photo albums. I love it.
I have one of those IKEA lamps. Works great - I have it at my machine to light up the whole throat of it. Have a nice floor lamp that lights up my hand stitching station. 33 links! Hand quilting is live and well in quilterland.
ReplyDeletePerfect timing on sharing lighting tips. We must be cautious about straining our eye more than necessary. I have the same IKEA lamp, but it is next to my sewing machine. Maybe I'll buy another for my hand stitching chair.
ReplyDeleteWithout my magnifying lamp I have great difficulty seeing stitching in the evening although in daylight I'm fine. The only time I get to stitch in daylight is during the holidays.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to get enough light in our living room, I'm pretty much limited to stitching during the day. Hope you made lots of progress on your bow tie quilt.
ReplyDeleteThat Ikea lamp can also be bought with a clamp. Both are inexpensive - I keep one in my overnite bag - hotels never have good lighting.
ReplyDelete