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Member since 5/5/06
Posts: 476
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Posted on: 1/8/14 10:31 AM ET
Yesterday, I replaced the zipper in my husband's winter coat: black zipper, black fabric, black thread. With no daylight to speak of (day 2,392,996,833 of consecutive heavy cloud cover, not that I'm keeping track), what I thought was a reasonably well-lit sewing area, with plenty of side and overhead light, suddenly wasn't.

After listening to me complain about not being able to see the thread (and being devoid of good ideas for more light myself, beside lighting a bunch of candles around the coat and asking the powers that be for blessings :)), the husband brought me our little battery-operated LED lantern. It was amazing! Not only was there more light, each component (thread, zipper tape and coat fabric), being made of different material, reflected the light differently, making it that much easier to tell which was which.

I can highly recommend having such lamp around: I bought it for next to nothing at our local grocery shop probably ten years. It's still using the same set of batteries (four AA, I think). I had it on for at least an hour yesterday with no discernible weakening of the light. It has an array of 20 LEDs surrounded by a mirrored area in an adjustable head, and it looks a lot like a small, old-fashioned desk lamp. I have a feeling it may be getting some extra use in the coming months.

(And the zipper went well -- my first zipper outing ever. :))
  
Member since 4/21/08
Posts: 225
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Posted on: 1/8/14 10:58 AM ET
In reply to jacquiJB
Try a LED headlamp for closeup work.
  
Member since 8/14/05
Posts: 25292
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Posted on: 1/8/14 11:01 AM ET
There is a dedicated thread about lighting for your sewing area! Lots of hints and suggestions! :)

It is a pinned topic, at the top of the Sewing Spaces forum, and here's a link:

Sewing Space Lighting
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama
https://eyeletsintheseams.blogspot.com

Pfaff 1222E, Elna eXcellence 720, Brother Innovis PS500, Brother SE400, Brother 1034D, Sunbeam irons ;)
  
Member since 12/3/06
Posts: 10072
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Posted on: 1/8/14 1:50 PM ET
In reply to jacquiJB
We have at least two of these just in case the power goes out at night. Never thought about having one in the sewing room. I also have a couple OttLite lamps that do well.

Congratulation on your success with the zipper replacement.

Should you ever need to remove dark stitching from dark fabric you can make it more visible by running a sliver of soap or dressmaker's chalk down the stitching.
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 10/16/05
Posts: 454
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Posted on: 1/8/14 2:49 PM ET
smart...I hate sewing black on black...good tip on the LED...probably because it is such a brilliant white it reflects back better than most lights. I do have such a light but never thought to use it at my sewig area. Now I will next time I find myself struggling.
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Laurie Lou
  
Member since 5/5/06
Posts: 476
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Posted on: 1/9/14 1:24 AM ET
In reply to wanttosewmore
That's a great idea!
  
Member since 5/5/06
Posts: 476
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Posted on: 1/9/14 1:25 AM ET
In reply to Mufffet
Thank you for that. I'll have to browse through!
  
Member since 5/5/06
Posts: 476
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Posted on: 1/9/14 1:28 AM ET
In reply to PattiAnnJ
Quote: PattiAnnJ
Congratulation on your success with the zipper replacement.

Thanks! I'm ridiculously chuffed.

Quote: PattiAnnJ
Should you ever need to remove dark stitching from dark fabric you can make it more visible by running a sliver of soap or dressmaker's chalk down the stitching.


Also a very good tip.
  
Member since 5/31/11
Posts: 648
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Posted on: 1/9/14 11:02 AM ET
In reply to Mufffet
Quote: Mufffet
There is a dedicated thread about lighting for your sewing area! Lots of hints and suggestions! :)



It is a pinned topic, at the top of the Sewing Spaces forum, and here's a link:



Sewing Space Lighting

Muffet. Thank you for posting this link. I need a lot of light in my sewing room and plan to start my research right here on PR. TFS!
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Annette
  
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