Best Lighting for Needlework?

Question

I'm an avid cross stitcher and was wondering what the best lighting is. I need a very bright, close light to distinguish between similar colors. Thanks!

Answer 1

For needlework one needs a lot of illumination on the order of 50-60 Footcandles. If you are elderly than more than that.

For color, be sure the light has a clear path to what you are viewing and is not filtered or reflected off of a lamp shade or wall that has some color to it. That will 'alter' the way the light renders certain colors.

Ideally you would have two light sources, one to either side of you to fill in any shadowing caused by your hands. A standard desk lamp with an adjustable arm will typical take a standard 'bulb'. I would replace this with a 60-watt PAR20 Halogen Medium-Flood lamp. These typically available at home depot and labeled as 'Track Lights'. Going to this other lamp will probably give you twice as much light as a standard incandescent bulb as the halogen technology is more efficient and the directional optic will focus more of the light on the task.

In theory, both hologen and incandescent technologies have a 99% color rendering so the only way to get better is to go out in the sun.

Answer 2

Needlework Light

Answer 3

I have an OTT light, it is the kind that the appraisers use in Antique Roadshow, if you watch this program, is the bendable light that they have at the tables before, they put objects in front of the cameras.
It was an expensive light, but well worth the money, specially when I am doing crosstich work with seed beads.
The info for this light is available at OTT-LITE Technology in the net.

Answer 4

Sunlight! *grins*

But yeah, I find ott lights to be pretty useful as well.
Otherwise, any lamp that will take a pretty high wattage bulb.

Answer 5

I use a flexible lamp that way I can direct the light where I need it.