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Member since 9/3/13
Posts: 234
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Posted on: 4/20/14 6:21 PM ET
I am trying to finish a navy, black, dark grey plaid dress and I am really struggling to see what I am working on in this project. I feel as though this has made nearly every step of this project much harder. From laying out the pattern for sewing, to trying to put in the zipper. This project is taking me much longer than it should and I am taking out stitches more than I should. I have even sewn folded fabric at the machine because I did not see that there were two layers. (The extra layer was on top not hiding under the fabric I was sewing.)

Does any one have a lighting suggestion for this type of materials. Would an Ott light help? I have not bought on because of the price but I would get a few if it would let me see more.

Are there bulbs that other people have found to help?

Otherwise this is the last dark colored project I work on. It is very frustrating, and very late.
  
Member since 5/11/03
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Posted on: 4/20/14 6:31 PM ET
In reply to caren751
I have an Ott-like light and it does help. I also found reading glasses also help--especially for ripping out stitches in dark fabric--even way before I needed them for reading, I had a pair of reading glasses for dark fabric.
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Kim
  
Member since 8/30/07
Posts: 842
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Posted on: 4/20/14 7:13 PM ET
Ott-lites are great! I have one in my bedroom for late night knitting mostly. I have a very bright LED lamp with a flexible neck for the sewing area. I love it! I got it at Target at least a year ago for about $30 I think.
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"Housework won't kill you. But why take the chance?"
-Phyllis Diller
___________________________________
UFOs completed in 2019: 1
Projects started in 2019: 3
Projects completed in 2019: 2
Yards bought in 2019: 29.375 yds
Yards sewn up in 2019: 7.5
  
Member since 9/7/10
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Posted on: 4/21/14 8:12 AM ET
In reply to caren751
I bought one of these. I can move it just where I need it, and the light output is really great. I did not pay that price though.
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Stash: 188 yds. @ 11.25.18
Bernina 560
Babylock Imagine
Babylock Coverstitch
  
Member since 9/29/02
Posts: 3237
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Posted on: 4/21/14 9:20 AM ET
In reply to caren751
I love good lighting so I understand your situation. Overall room lighting is important but so is task lighting. I love my Bendable bright light on my machine. You can easily move the light around and focus it where you need it. Using it, I was able to unpick a black buttonhole in black and purple boucle … without ripping out my hair in the process. These little lights have dropped in price and are a gem IMHO. I've used mine for at least 5 years and it has been worth full retail price.
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Patti

R-r-r-ripping my way to fitting success
  
Member since 4/4/05
Posts: 2204
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Posted on: 4/21/14 9:48 AM ET
Ott lights also can have a bendable arm with a magnifying lens attached. I've ripped out dark thread from dark fabric at night using the two. A friend told me to keep the lens covered if there's any chance of sunlight being focused onto flammable materials when it isn't in use so I made a fabric drawstring bag to pop over the lens when I'm not using it.
  
Member since 3/19/05
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Posted on: 4/21/14 10:33 AM ET
In reply to caren751
Another person who uses Ott lights - I have two - one on each sewing table.

Recently on E-Bay I purchased what is called "lighting strips" - expensive - these are small LED bulbs on a narrow adhesive strip that you fasten to your machine over the sewing bed. I purchased two strips.

I first became aware of them through Ken's Sewing and Vac.

I have not reviewed this in Notions as while I find them very helpful they are expensive and would suit only a small amount of sewers such as myself - faced with little natural light and diming eye sight (age related).

I hope your lighting issues can be resolved - perhaps using a shade of gray thread that is a bit lighter than your fabric may help
  
Member since 6/30/09
Posts: 192
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Posted on: 4/21/14 11:19 AM ET
In reply to caren751
Hi Caren,

I agree with the ladies' suggestions about whiter lights and magnification.

In addition, I've found that the angle/direction of the light onto my fabric or to the feed area changes the contrast of the fabric and, therefore, my ability to see folds, creases, other stitching, etc. This makes a huge difference for me with dark loose or brushed cottons because they seem matte, absorbing light instead of reflecting it.

In one case with some dark shiny double knit, I had to turn off my machine light and just use the extra lights. Again, a huge change.

HTH,
Gene

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If you're not ahead, you're behind!
  
Member since 8/6/12
Posts: 1647
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Posted on: 4/21/14 11:22 AM ET
I have several pairs of glasses I bought from amazon. 300, 400 and 500 power.

The 500 power has little headlights to help see (the lights actually don't do much but are funny cute). The 500 power is wonderful when picking out some stitches.

I notice I increase the lens power as my eyes get tired and depending on which machine or project I'm working on.
  
Member since 4/21/08
Posts: 225
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Posted on: 4/21/14 11:54 AM ET
If all else fails try a headlamp with LED's. They are cheap and you can focus exactly where you want light.
  
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