Lightbox question - Problem solved!

[HomespunMary]

I've run into a quite ridiculous problem. I would like to buy a lightbox tomorrow (just realized that the white Fairy Frost is not transparent enough to transfer quilting designs by placing the motif under the quilt top) but have no idea what they are called in Swedish so can't google what store would sell them. Also, I don't know what they are usually used for, so have no clue where to go tomorrow...

Could someone tell me in what kind of stores you'd normally be able to buy a lightbox? Hardware store, photo and camera store, arts and/or craft supply store, or something completely different? What are lightboxes used for other than transferring designs onto quilts?

Maria

PS. I already tried to make my own, but with very dissapointing result, LOL! Placed a light bulb on a soup plate under my transparent extension table for my machine, but it got so hot that I worried both about the extension table possibly melting and about the possible effect on the blue marks on the quilt top. Though the heat might have set the marks permanently, so didn't dare to use it...

[Cathy32078]

I don't have a def. answer for you. But, I have heard of people using a reg. lamp with a low watt bulb placed under a dining table with a glass top or a coffee table with a glass top. Soooooo if you have either of those, that might work. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. Let me think. Surely there is a way to make your own inexpensively.

Hugs & Love

[HomespunMary]

Thanks, Cathy! I'm afraid I used to have a coffe table with a glass top, but gave it away last year to a charity that sells second hand furniture. What a mistake

And, I'm fairly confident I could somehow find a way to make my own, but am not really sure if I want to spend the time it would take. I'm impatient and want to continue with my trapunto project NOW, LOL! It will of course depend on what a lightbox would cost here...

[Grammy2]

You might try a photo/camera store or an art supply store. I know i have seen them, I'll try & look around & see if I can find one.

sharon

[xteacher]

Here they are sold at places like Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc.

[Littlebit]

I made a suggestion on the other thread and see you don't have a glass table.. I use a window alot of times just by taping my project to the window then tracing, works for me )

[sunsup]

A light box is mostly used for tracing patterns so I would think a store that caters to arts and crafts would have one. Good luck!

[beccasmom]

I bought mine at Hobby Lobby.

Brenda

[HomespunMary]

Thanks all for your suggestions! Will begin in a camera store and work my way from there. I'm afraid I have no idea what kind of stores Hobby Lobby and Michaels are, but I guess they are crafts stores..?

Littlebit, yes, I too would have used the window - I think that is a great way to do it - if it weren't for the fact that I'm now working on a too big project (big twin or small queen). Unfortunately no way to keep it smooth on the window...

[cindyg]

Maria - if you have a large tote box that is clear or opaque you can turn it up side down over a flourescent light. You can get the light at any hardware store and they are used for under-the-counter lighting and are only about a foot long. I saw this on Fons & Porter or Simply Quilts, can't remember, but I thought it was an excellent idea. HTH