It’s a must for me to have good lighting while sewing. We
all know working on sewing projects in general is tricky without good lighting.
I have found natural light is the best while sewing with black, navy, and dark
greens, and for matching colors. It’s probably the age thing showing up. After
realizing the eye strain I was going through, a simple change in my schedule now
accommodates the time to work on such projects.
During early morning quiet time, or late night sewing, I’ve
tried using the OttLite and the other sources of artificial light we get from the
different types and wattages of light bulbs. Working with dark colors, or when
it’s time to match fabric colors together, however, it’s still a no-go unless I
have help with that God-given natural light!
NOTE: After my cousin, a beautiful person and quilter,
recommended it, I had to get the OttLite. It is a great product! You will find
both the Folding Task Lamp and their floor lamp near my sewing areas!
Of course, mine is pink! |
Love having this next to my recliner when doing hand work! |
How have you resolved
lighting issues?
Another thing I’ve learned the hard way: too much light,
even indirect lighting will ruin
fabric!
I once kept a quilt – covered with a piece of fabric – in a
frame way too long, near our north window. It wasn’t directly in front of the
window either! No direct east/west sun
ever came through this window, only the wonderful light.
After a good while, I decided to sell the quilting frame. I removed
the few rows of stitching I’d accomplished before my hands gave out with
Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was SICK when I saw that entire exposed section had
faded! The quilt top I had totally designed and put together was now ruined.
Heart of Texas quilt - in this view you can't really see the faded part |
Oh, but look at the border, you can tell! |
Mother graciously had the top professionally quilted for me, even though it was ruined.
Since this happened I’ve been very careful where I store fabric and
where I keep completed projects made especially for Lanetta’s Creations. I’ve found
some clever storage ideas on the Internet. One specifically comes to mind that
I modified to fit my needs. Fabric folded neatly on foam boards then placed in TUBS
stored totally out of the sun’s reach!
Add lid, stack tubs in closet, or underneath a covered table! |
I know, it’s a quandary what to do. Sewing and craft rooms
full of beautiful natural sunlight is a good thing, to do the actual sewing,
crafting. But please, take it from me, don’t store fabric where the light (even
indirect) can get to your stash or finished items!
I have two pieced quilts, quilted professionally. The Heart
of Texas one is ruined and I use as a table cover (hiding the faded part). The
other, my first 1” Log Cabin, I haven’t yet decided where to hang it because of
the sun issue, so it’s safely stored away in a pillowcase (re-folded
periodically).
I know I can’t ever put it on the bed -
Would rather have our girls with us! |
P.S. Check back tomorrow for another guest blogger!
Such a good tip to share. I now store my "stash" of fabric in suitcases in my studio. It keeps the fabric from the light and makes for a nice decor. All the suitcases have special memories, an added goodness. A tip...since one can not see through the suitcases to look at the fabric...I have taken a photo of the opened bag and put ii in a file box...now I go to the file box before I go looking through the suitcases.
ReplyDeleteI love the suitcase idea!!! Such a clever way to keep the fabric and memories fresh! Truly like the idea of photo taking to "label" and know which one it's in! Very organized!
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this great storage tip!