For hand embroiderers, here is a great idea for transferring embroidery patterns to your fabrics. First of all, let me just say that this was my idea. However, my husband, Gordon, actually made it for me. I had been using our glass coffee table and putting a light under it, but this light box is so much nicer. Here’s how you can make your very own wine light box.
The most important part is finding a wine box that is made for at least 3 bottles with a sliding lid.
Then buy a piece of opaque plastic the same thickness and dimensions as the sliding lid (we went to a store that will cut this for you). Drill ventilation holes in the bottom and each side of the box. Next, buy three small compact flourescent lights — the ones we purchased were little modular 9w lights in their own round housing (about 4″ in diameter and 1″ high) that interconnected. Gordon attached them with double-stick foam tape and lined the inside of the box with aluminum foil to reflect the light.
Voila! you’ve got a cool wine light box.
That is a very clever idea! What kind of pencil do you use to draw on the fabric?
I use a regular #2 pencil — I like the Pentech Pure Natural Pencils available from Amazon because they have a white eraser. I use these pencils for everything — drawing quilt pieces, quilting patterns, etc. Before I begin to trace my pattern on the light box, I press my fabric using a little starch to make it easier to draw on. I also put a couple of pieces of tape on the edges of the pattern and the fabric to prevent them from slipping on the plastic.
What a great idea! I asked my husband if a light box could be built, and he said yes it could, but so far he hasn’t got to work on it. Now I can mention yours to “gently” remind him!
That’s great! I think this will be my summer project. 🙂