Magnifier lenses for close up stitching/quilting/thread painting?

No earthly use for continuous work, but the best close-up magnifier you'll find is a 50mm lens from an old film SLR camera (preferably an f1.8 one) - you hold it backwards, with the front of the lens towards you. These are very cheap in junk shops and the quality of the image you get is ridiculously good. (35mm lenses work too, but your eye needs to be a bit closer and they usually aren't as bright).

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I have a wonderful one, Sunny. It is a floor lamp - a lighted circle. Heavy as a refrigerator. I keep it beside my sewing chair and swing it over when I'm getting really serious with an appliqué or such. You wouldn't want to order one online because shipping would be a killer. Seems like mine came from an electronics store. Polly

Has anyone ever tried this one from Ott?

I'm curious about it too. Sunny, for the meantime, I did buy a cheap pair of "reader" glasses, a bit stronger than my regular prescription lenses. They work pretty well. I use them especially for hand quilting. That, along with a good full- spectrum lamp works pretty well.

Sherry

I saw reading glasses at "The Dollar Tree" for $1 a pair and bought a few in different strengths for use in reading, embroidery, sewing at the SM, and to have "extras". I leave the little sticker on to tell what the strength is. They never stay where I remember putting them last! Barbara in SC

On Sep 17, 7:16=EF=BF=BDpm, "Bobbie Sews More" wrote= :

I use the magnifier attached to my Ott table top lamp. While it's not necessary for actually 'seeing', I do find that my work is much better when I use it. joan

I buy the clip on magnifying glasses from Joann's when the notion wall is

In message , Sunny writes

Mag Eyes. They are on a head band. The can be moved up and down. You can also glance up over the top to see TV or anywhere in the room. Not tied to one position like ones on a stand. I always use them for my beadwork. You can buy different strength lenses for them. I have tried a few magnifiers but these are tops with me.

Hugs Shirley

I use MagEyes to do needlework when I am traveling. They are great and are available this side of the pond at Hobby Lobby. Cost is currently about $27.00, I THINK. CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

i'm with the Dollar Tree deals! i have 7 or 8 pair of different readers all over the house, in my purse, sewing areas, car, etc. i think i have from +1.50's to +2.50's. the +2's are my favorites.

amy in CNY

I use the cheap 'reader' glasses in varying strengths as well. Have them for machine work; hand work; reading in bed; etc. I found the best deal is the 3 pack in WalMart. They are about $8-10 a pack; plastic frames. Much better than the dollar store versions and far cheaper than the 'drug store' variety.

Kim in NJ

(((((Sunny))))

The way I see it (pun intended) you have two ways (options) to go...

Either the magnifying/reading glasses on your face in any of their various configurations (dedicated pair of glasses, flip-ups, clip- ons..) There are also configurations with lights attached, like these:

Or the hobby light with center magnifier like Polly suggests, like these:

Again, different configs from floor models, desk models, clamp-ons, swing-aways....

HTH, Doc

Thanks a million, guys. I think I'm going to invest in the MagEyes. I need something that I can wear over my glasses. I'm far sighted in one eye and near sighted in the other, so store type reading glasses just don't work. I did love the magnifying lense on my Ott light, but .....guess that wasn't meant to be. So next month (budget you know) I'm going to pop for a pair of MagEyes..

I really appreciated all the info and options offered. Seems like a lot of us need just a bit more vision than regular eye glasses provide.

Sunny on the cusp of vision

Yeah, well, they always told us it'd make us go blind - they just never told us *when*...

Sunny, do some checking on the "Mag-eyes". You may find them at a lower price in a hobby or jewelry shop as "Optivisors". DH has one for working on jewelry and such. Same product, different name, different price.

Pati, > Thanks a million, guys. I think I'm going to invest in the MagEyes. I