Thread: 2Q's -lighting for sewing area and pattern trace material?

Ladies and Gents,

What do you like for lighting in your sewing area? I have to work at night more often than not and i'm going BLIND doing it. ,f:: I just moved another lamp in and am hoping that helps. I feel like i'm working in a dungion.

What do you like for pattern trace material...Pattern drafting material? I found some pre packaged with a blue grid printed on it. I didn't like how flimsy it was once opened...wimpy stuff. ,m::

Thank you for any thoughts!

Lighting has always been my issue. I think ideally there should be a large overhead "fill" light and then 1 or 2 more focused lights shining at your work area from in front (so that there are no shadows). Halogens tend to give the best result as far as "fill", even though they're hot and kind of expensive.

I use 1-inch cotton gingham for pattern material. You can keep track of the grain, it's easy for measuring, and lasts longer. You can also buy large amounts of it and use it for mock-ups or draping on the mannequin (which is how I make my patterns).

Azhia I like the gingham idea! I've been using either tissue paper or brown package paper on a roll.

For lighting I have an overhead light and then purchased a floor model light which I can't think of the term right now - the special kind that simulates real light - full spectrum? I think. It has helped alot as you can bend it to light up the work area.

Lighting I use lamps that clamp on to my tables and have a movable joint in the middle and a swivel head so i can position them where I need tham.

Paper is easy. Go to a medical supply place where you buy crutches and wheelchairs and such and ask for the paper that they use on the doctors office tables. It is much stronger than tissue paper and the pattern paper that you can get at the Fab store and it is sheer enough to trace with. Comes on a roll for about $11-12.00. I bought some and love it
Andrea

I use Ottlight lamps. I've had one for ten years. The original bulb is still going strong and I've pulled many an all-nighter with that lamp, let me tell you. It lets me sew with black thread on black fabric at 3 am.

Pattern material: I use brown wrapping paper for large pieces. Sometimes it comes as packing inside boxes: I take it out and iron it flat. Heavy plastic or weed control mesh or non-woven interfacing also work. Fabric alone can be pulled off grain; I'd be more likely to iron the original pattern to iron-on interfacing. For small pieces or for templates that I use over and over, I make patterns from manilla paper (starting with old file folders, working up to new pieces of poster board).

Originally Posted by baadrobot

Go to a medical supply place where you buy crutches and wheelchairs and such and ask for the paper that they use on the doctors office tables. It is much stronger than tissue paper and the pattern paper that you can get at the Fab store and it is sheer enough to trace with. Comes on a roll for about $11-12.00. I bought some and love it
Andrea

Exam paper paper rolls : what a great idea!

Thank you so much for your replies.

I'm missing the overhead filler light. I'm working in a room with no outside window. I LOVE the exam paper roll idea! I'll also check out the full spectrum Ottlamps...do they have them at JoAnn's?

Thank you for all the ideas! I will get some exam room paper and check out the Ottlights!

I've seen Ottlamps at Joanne's.

While I was at my aesthetician client's yesterday afternoon, I spied some exam paper languishing (well, not really) in a corner. I asked where she purchased normally and strolled out of her home with a lovely manicure, very nice brows and a 1/3 of a roll!

Now I have to work on the lighting issue....

Originally Posted by Zeevah

I asked where she purchased normally and strolled out of her home with a lovely manicure, very nice brows and a 1/3 of a roll!

Good for you for not being too shy to ask! Yeah!

I have serious issues with lighting at night. Will watch for the ottlamp

Lighting...Large overhead, one table lamp (or a focusable light like an ott) off to the side.

Now pattern "paper" I use two things:

1) Heavy duty contractor's plastic...clear, on a roll, and about $10. Lay the pattern under and trace with a sharpie...Never have to worry about ripped paper.

2) If I'm draping and need real fabric, I also second the one inch gingham. It's also great if you need to do pleating or rusching.

I've seen people use shower curtains for patternmaking. I think that's a neat idea, but I wonder how they get the fold lines out of the plastic after it's removed from the package.

This picture is saved in my "costume ideas" folder--my apologies that I don't know where I got it, so I can't properly credit the owner. I just thought it was a neat idea.



I've also seen people use plastic bags from the dry cleaner that they cut up the side to make a big rectangle. Not quite as sturdy as a shower curtain, but the price is right! And they do fold up pretty nicely.

I personally dont like paper patterns, they tend to get ripped, wumpled and shredded by cats. I like the pattern-ease and trace-a-pattern products available on bolts located with the interfacing at the fabric store. If I really love a pattern I trace it off on mylar or acrylic sheets and cut those out.

When working up a large pattern for a circle skirt, I used a plastic tablecloth... you know, those cheap ones that you can use for a party and then toss out?

It doesn't tear as easily as paper, and can be folded up and saved for later.

I bought some Ottlite bulbs at joann's and used them in the lamp I already have. They are MUCH brighter and don't have the yellow tint. I didn't realize how yellow the light was before. THese will make a big difference i'm sure.

if you like paper, freezer paper is great, it's tough and large, but personally, i think it's best to use muslin for patterns on regular patterns and gingham for ruching and cartridge pleating

check out Swedish tracing paper- I get mine at NearSea Naturals: Everything you need to sew, Naturally! Sustainable Fabrics and Notions.

easy to see the pattern through the tissue, but it is sturdy enough you can actually sew it to check for fit & irons well too. & it's not too expensive. I LOVE this stuff!

for lighting, I am lucky to have lots of overhead fixtures- I have LEDs in one half of the room and CFLs in the other half, so I can see colors in two light settings to check- I like the LEDs better for working, so I have those over the machines.