What ya gonna sew/quilt/do this weekend?

[Margo C.]

What about those battery operated lights that you can get in places like Ikea? My son has an obsession with them - keeps buying them for his tree-house. I have one that's like a long strip light which works great.

It's worth a try if you already have one, Rita. I have also used a florescent fixture that's supposed to be mounted under a kitchen cabinet, but the light is not nearly as bright as what the Ott light puts out.

[Rita C.]

Yes, it's a shame they have discontinued it. I noticed on the website that there was a swing and swivel (or something like that) version of the OTT light but I don't think that it would fit under an extension table. What about that little clip-on bendy light that Rob Appel uses in his tutorials? Can't remember what they are called. Would they be bright enough do you think?

[Margo C.]

Rita, the light that the Bendy Bright Light puts out is fabulous for focusing on the needle of a sewing machine: http://www.robappell.com/node/191

In fact, I LOVE the one I have mounted on my long-arm. But....it doesn't clip on....the mounting bracket needs to be permanently affixed to something, and I'm not sure that the light spreads out enough to be a good option for a light box, and for that price, you could buy a light box!

Has anyone tried this? Is it bright enough? http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/...ht-box-262873/

[Margo C.]

I don't have a light box or a Sew Steady table. But I do have a glass topped coffee table that is open underneath some of the glass area. I used to just stick a small lamp with the shade off under it when I needed a light box. I know of a quilter who has a glass topped patio table and she uses that!

But last week, I bought some 23Watt Compact Florescent Daylight bulbs that are rated 5000K to use to take the pictures of the SOTT top. I got them at Lowe's in a two pack for about $10. I put them into those metal reflector hoods that clamp onto things (also cheaply found at Lowe's). They are amazingly bright and just like daylight!! I don't think they get hot and they threw a lot of light (more than a florescent under counter light thing).

So, next time I need a light box, I will try them. They did work great for accurate colors when taking the pictures of the quilt top, so I do think it was $10 well spent.

Just an idea...

[Margo C.]

Whatever works, huh Michelle! Maybe you could post a photo when you try that for a light box??
Glad you were happy with how the photos came out!

[Rita C.]

I finished my floral bouquet today and I am quite pleased with it. It has ended up approximately 33" square. I haven't hung it properly yet so it looks a little curved around the edges. My free-motion quilting is atrocious but as it is just for me and not a competition I am okay with that. Here's a photo if anybody is interested. Rita.

[Margo C.]

Hey Rita (with the new non-profile photo!)

I really like your wall-hanging and bet that a little blocking with steam will flatten it just right! Good job!

[Rita C.]

Thanks Margo. I got sick of looking at myself! As for blocking with steam....could you explain or is it somewhere already that I could look at? Rita.

[Margo C.]

When I block a small quilt with steam, I just (stab) pin it to my ironing surface (you could do it on a carpet if it's too big for your ironing surface) making sure that all the edges are straight and the corners are square, easing and stretching as necessary to make the edges right. Then I use an iron with a good "shot of steam" to generously steam the quilt, especially the areas that need easing or stretching. I never touch the iron to the quilt, but let the steam do the work.
I leave the pins in place until the quilt is completely cool and dry.

If it's a big quilt, I will pin it to the carpet in my living room on top of a sheet and leave it overnight. (For this I just use water, not necessarily steam.)
Near the end of this video you can see how Alex pins a quilt to her carpet for basting. http://www.hgtv.com/video/alex-ander...deo/index.html
The same T pins work for blocking!

Although Sharon is talking about blocks, and not finished quilts, you might find these videos helpful too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6aplw_tVZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIjZqABo2NY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQkF02vpVuw

[Nancy R.]

Rita -

That is really beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!

[Rita C.]

Thanks Nancy, it's a pleasure to share.

Margo, now I know what you mean. Thanks for the links. Unfortunately Alex's one won't play for me. I am not sure if it's my connection tonight or what but I couldn't upload a photo to my profile either.

[Margo C.]

If you want to see Alex's video just go to the HGTV web site, search for Simply Quilts, and click on the video about her home quilting studio.

[Rita C.]

Yes I did that. I even subscribed in case that was the problem but it is just showing me a black screen but it won't play any of the videos. I am emailing them now to see if it's a problem because I am not on your side of the Atlantic.

[karen f.]

Rita, your quilt is so pretty!

[Norma H.]

Hi Rita, I love your quilt and the blue flowers are perfect light givers. Somehow I have not seen all the former posts on this thread so I just reread everything.
When it comes to light box things, I think the Ott lamp is the best. I use the same configuration as Margo with either an old extension table or with my Sewezi table. They provide a plexiglass top without any cut outs just for this use. I tried some small battery lamps but they did not give enough light.