How to Make an Improvised Light Box

I don't currently own one of those fancy-dancy light boxes for tracing.  I do it the hard way.  I usually tape my paper and fabric up to one of my multi-paned windows and painstakingly try to trace my design, usually moving the paper and fabric several times to deal with the window mullions.  This works alright in the daylight, but what to do at night?  Recently I was in the thick of some creative inspiration, it was midnight black outside, and I just had to trace something to make my idea work.  Here's what I did:  

I started out with my iron lamp, of course.  It's so quilty!

I simply placed a square ruler over the top opening of the lampshade, like this.

Then I placed my small pattern on top of the lighted area.  This heart is from the Heart Match Quilt Pattern, by the way.

I placed my fabric on top of the lighted area and...Voila!  Tracing time!  It worked really well.  Of course, the design you're tracing would have to be small to use this method.  

Also, I wanted to let you know, I've joined the Craftsy community.  You can see some of my projects here:  Jennifer Thomas on Craftsy

And, if you haven't joined my Facebook Group, Quilters Show and Tell, please do!  We're a fun group of quilters simply sharing photos and info about what we're working on and helping each other out with any quilt related questions.  Come and join in on the fun.  We're even going to have a Mystery Quilt a Long starting in January, hosted by my friend and upcoming quilt designer, Sally Anne Johnson.

Be sure to visit my blog again on Sunday evening (6:00 EST).  I will be part of the Quilting Gallery's 5th Birthday Blog Hop.  This is going to be a bundle of fun!  I will be having a giveaway and links to the Blog Party so you can visit and meet all the wondrous quilters participating in the Blog Hop!

Until next time...Have a super day...and Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas