As we all know, sewing can be addictive. You start on a project you feel invested in and next thing you know, you look out the window and hours have passed! Generally speaking, this kind of focus over a table or sewing machine can cause a great deal of strain and fatigue to our eyes. Therefore, it is important to equip your work area with the best lighting and magnifying tools for sewing. This will help your eye health both in the short term as well as over time, allowing you to continue your hobby for years to come.
Here are the factors to consider when effectively lighting your sewing space:
Ambient Lighting
As important as the focused task light directly on your project, also focus on the ambient lighting in the whole room! If you have lamp shades, consider switching them out for nice, white shades. The bright white lets out a significant amount of light, bringing much more visibility to your projects while still diffusing the light so it does not appear harsh. You may even find that if you replace the ambient lighting units with white shades, you will have less of a need for task lighting!
Specialty Task Lighting
Task lighting has come a long way, and there are effective options at all price points. If you spend a long time on detailed tasks like quilting or other hand stitching, it is worth investing in high quality task lighting. These specialty lights not only produce a lot of light, but the nature of the light almost mimics natural daylight. This reduces fatigue and allows you to see the true colors of your fabrics, threads, etc. Some popular brands of task lighting to check out are Ott-Light, Daylight, and Dazor, all of which have great reputations and reviews in the task lighting market.
Magnifiers
Focusing on detailed handiwork can be exhausting for your eyes, no matter how good your eyesight is. Some kind of magnifying device can save you a headache (literally). Several manufacturers offer magnifiers that work in conjunction with task lightings, and can be a great companion to your lighting set up. If this kind of work is frequent for you, you may even consider investing in a floor lamp that includes the magnifier. Just be sure to look for a magnifying option that leaves both hands free, be it desktop or an attachment to a lamp, pair of glasses, or headband.
The combination of a perfect lighting and a good magnifier will help you to enjoy your craft so much more. Treat your eyes well so that you can enjoy your craft for many years to come!
Beat the Heat
While you want your light to mimic daylight as closely as possible, be aware of the heat that certain lighting units can generate, especially when they are so close to you for an extended period of time. Fluorescent lighting will not throw heat, for example, while incandescent or quartz lighting will. If you find your lighting unit is getting uncomfortably warm, consider placing a fan near or above the light to keep you (and the bulb) cool while you work.
In honor of National Sewing Month this September, take the time to make sure your space is set up with the equipment to help you do your best work and protect your eyes! Who knows, perhaps a new take on lighting and magnifying in your sewing room will shed light on your masterpieces in a whole new way.
