lighting in a quilting room

Martha · 2008-07-30T11:42:42+00:00

Hello!Well, after several years of totally inadequate lighting, I am going to have put in good lighting in the room I use to quilt.The choice has come down to using 1. track lighting with Verilux full spectrum incandescent bulbs [9 ft ceiling]or2. full spectrum Verilux fluorescent tube lights in the usual kind of fluorescent tube fixture [three tubes per fixture].My balance is incandescent fixture looks nicerfluorescent is cooler and cheaper to run over the long term[cost of fixture, bulb, and installation is sufficiently the same that it doesn't count. Halogen bulbs are too hot to work under.]Would anyone have experience with, or anything to say about, those choices?thanks!Martha

B

Butterflywings 17 years ago

Just read this entire post....and have to 'add' my musings to it:

1: Can you 'abide' florescent lighting? It drives my eyes crazy...to the point I can only be around them a short amount of time. I see flickers for hours after if I stay too long. 2: I have track lighting--2 sections with their own switch--wanted 3 switches but we didn't have a 'good electrician" (let's not go there) One track has 6 lights by the Design Wall, 3 lights over the SM, and 3 lights over the cutting table Other track has 3 lights by the fabric shelves with ONE beaming at the Design Wall to eliminate the last of the shadows there 3: Have a regular light over the sewing machine with a magnifying glass with it 4: Have a 4 light fixture with fan above the computer for 'when I am writing' and a small lamp on the compie table for night when I'm just 'on the compie' Can't use the compie without another light on in the room (same with the TV--must have another low light or I can't watch it very long) Also may turn this fan light on when I'm working near the bottom of the fabric cabinets. Lights couldn't be any further back cause of the ceiling fan. I have a very slanted ceiling so we had to accommodate that.

I'm about to the point of carrying my OWN LIGHTS when we go traveling once more this fall--I can't abide the curly lights at all...can't read with them..can't watch TV or try to 'see' the compie with them on. I 'see' the page I'm reading in reverse when I look away--with a slight 'jump' to the words! Very weird. (Any suggestions as to how to safely transport bulbs/light fixture/neck falshlight ?)

Butterfly ( I would have liked the track lights to be lower over the cutting table but those were "only with Halogen Bulbs'--which give me migraines--so we went with the 'regular ones' )

Vote

A

AuntK 17 years ago

Butterfly - I travel with a halogen desk lamp frequently. I know that's not your preferred light but it's what works for me for hand work. However, I orginally bought the lamp to replace the one I have that I thought had finally given up the ghost. Since the original is still going strong, I use the second one for travelling. I just keep it in the original box/packaging and travel with it that way. The box is about 8 in. wide by 14 in. long. Not small but not too difficult to work with when packing either the little Toyota or the big Tahoe. And it makes sewing MUCH easier when in different places.

FWIW.

Kim in NJ

Vote

B

Bonnie Patterson 17 years ago

This might sound dumb BUT; my SO and I have head lights. The kind that campers/hikers use. They are on head bands. We bought them to walk the dogs at night, wanted our hands free. Ours can be switched from white to red or blue lamps, very handy on the beach where white lights are not allowed from March to October. The batteries last a long time.

They come in handy for reading/sewing when the power goes off, or in the car at night when SO is driving. I use mine a lot. There is one quilt store that has poor lighting and my friend and I use my headlight and her ball cap with built in lights when we shop there. SO and I also have those "ity-bity" book lights. I have an Ott Light by my sewing machine.

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

Vote

L

Lizzy Taylor 17 years ago

LED Head lamps are great for all sorts of things. I keep one in the car in case of emergencies. But, why no white lights on the beach between March and October?

Lizzy

Vote

P

Pat in Virginia 17 years ago

White lights are not permitted at certain beaches so as to protect the sea turtles during breeding season. They could be confused and possibly head to the white lights when they should be heading back to the sea, after leaving eggs in the dunes.

H>> This might sound dumb BUT; my SO and I have head lights. The kind that

Vote

L

Lizzy Taylor 17 years ago

Thanks Pat, I did wonder if the reason was due to wildlife, but I knew someone here would have the answer.

Lizzy

Vote

B

Bonnie Patterson 17 years ago

It's Jekyll island, GA, where we vacation with the dogs, and the sea turtles are laying their eggs and eggs are hatching, white lights interrupt the process. Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

On Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:58:43 +0100, Lizzy Taylor

Vote

L

Lizzy Taylor 17 years ago

Thanks for explaining. I just had a look on the internet and found some pictures - it looks a great vacation spot with some great nature including the turtles.

Lizzy

Vote

B

Bonnie Patterson 17 years ago

Yes and it is dog friendly! Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

Vote

lighting in a quilting room

Join the Discussion

Didn't find your answer?