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 Lighting and Magnifiers For Quilting

Quilting is intricate, detailed work and can be very demanding on the eyes. Without adequate lighting, even quilters with no vision issues are subject to eye strain and fatigue. Finding the proper lighting for your work area and vision requirements is as much a health issue as it is a matter of comfort.

Lighting Styles

There is a range of lighting styles specifically intended for crafting from which to choose. Although craft lighting is required first and foremost to serve a purpose, many models are designed to compliment, or at least blend in with, a room's décor. This can be beneficial for those who work in a common living area. The first step in finding the best lighting is to determine whether a mountable, desk or floor lamp suits your work area.

Mountable lamps are typically equipped with an attachment similar to a C-clamp. Most also feature a convenient, flexible neck, enabling quilters to mount the lamp on tables, desks or shelving without sacrificing the ability to focus the beam of light. Anyone who does not work in one place every time will appreciate the mobility provided by a mountable lamp.

Desk lamps, as the name implies, are designed for use on a work area or sewing table. While lightweight and compact, these provide slightly less flexibility than mountable lamps as they are less adjustable and must be placed on a flat surface close to your working area.

Floor lamps are a good choice for anyone with a permanent workspace or a shortage of free table space. Many are available with either a solid or coaster-mounted base for those needing some portability.

Comparing Lighting

When comparing lighting systems, common sense can dictate many features worth consideration, such as pricing, expected lifespan of bulb, warranty and construction. It is also important, however, to compare the type of lighting available. Many manufacturers claim their product provides full-spectrum lighting. While this sounds impressive, this does not necessarily mean the lamp provides adequate intensity or the right type of light.

Whether or not quilters have vision issues, the best type of lighting available is either patterned after or closely replicates natural daylight. This type of true white light provides the greatest clarity, most true color rendering and the least amount of visual distortion. It is also conducive to reducing eye strain. Manufacturers typically have different names for their technology, but no matter the name, quilters should look for a lamp that replicates natural daylight. Brands such as Ott-Lite and Daylight are popular providers of true white light systems.

Magnifier Styles

While proper lighting can greatly improving working conditions, sometimes a bit more is needed to avoid eye strain and improve visibility. Magnifiers can make all the difference in improving comfort during quilting.

Lighting manufacturers understand how helpful a good magnifier can be for quilting, and many either incorporate a magnifier into their lamp's design or offer magnifiers as attachments. Both Ott-Lite and Daylight, for example, offer floor and desk lamps with magnifiers attached to the neck. Since the magnifier is separate from the lighting element, quilters may adjust them separately to provide the maximum lighting and greatest magnification for their needs without glare. Manufacturers, such as Daylight and Circline, on the other hand, offer models where the lighting fixture and magnifier are built into a single unit. Both models can be equally effective, and typically personal preference and vision needs determine which is the best choice.

Comparing Magnifiers

There are a few things to consider when comparing magnifiers, whether they are part of a lighting device or an accessory:

    material : Magnifiers are typically made of acrylic or optical-grade glass.
    diopter : A unit of measurement indicating the focusing power of a lens.
    magnification level : The amount which objects are enhanced or enlarged.
    diameter : The distance from one side of a circular magnifier to the other.

These considerations do vary between manufacturer as well as model of light, but your vision needs and budget are the best indicator of which features are important.

Related : Lighting Reviews - More Quilting Equipment

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