In sewing, whether by hand or machine, ample lighting is essential. Good lighting helps you focus, aids in better stitching, and saves you from health issues like headaches or lousy eyesight (eyes focus better and get less strained with good lighting).
Natural daylight offers one of the best light sources in any space (just make sure to keep your sewing machine and tools away from direct sunlight). But when natural lighting is absent, get good indoor lighting for sewing. Under good lighting, you will work better in your sewing without hurting your eyes or causing headaches, dizziness, or an aching neck or back. Furthermore, you will concentrate better and achieve extraordinary results in your sewing.
The importance of good lighting in sewing
You need a good amount of light – not too dim and not too bright. The following factors show how you will benefit from good lighting as you sew.
1) It corrects your posture
When sewing in a poorly lit room, you tend to hunch a lot to see your work more closely and sew better. Did you know that sewing is one of the causes of bad posture? Didn’t you? Well, now you know.
In addition, poor lighting means that you will constantly extend your neck for better vision of your work, causing further tension in your neck, fatigue, and pain.
If you have a sewing machine light, you will save yourself from all these problems and churn out beautiful clothes at the same time.
2) It aids in the correct matching of fabrics and threads
One of the biggest inconveniences when sewing is mismatching of the fabrics and threads and having to do the work all over again.
With bad lighting, you will literally grapple with pairing the fabrics with suitable needles – a crucial process to sewing clothes well. But this issue is resolved with something as simple as a sewing lamp for bright and good lighting.
Imagine not having to constantly double or triple-check your fabric and threads before you begin sewing.
3) It protects your sight
As we age, our sight relies more and more on light to focus correctly. Your eyes can be severely impacted if you are not using a proper sewing machine lamp. But with good lighting, you can easily say bye-bye to strained eyes, headaches, and dizziness.
Things to consider before buying a sewing machine light
Now that you have learned the importance of good lighting, you must take these certain factors into account before going to any store to purchase a sewing machine light.
1) Heat factor
Anything that is powered using electricity produces heat. Lights are the top candidate in that category.
If the lighting system you purchase for your sewing room or sewing nook has an extensive heat load, your sewing job will end up exhausting and difficult. When the light produces too much heat, it can slow down your performance and become a cause of severe discomfort.
Thus, you must be aware of the heat load produced by the sewing machine light that you’re purchasing. Ideally, go for the lighting with less heat load, especially if it’s a sewing lamp, as it will be near you, so the heat intensity you experience will increase.
2) Flexibility of lighting
If you want to be able to control the focus of the lighting as you work, then it’s better to purchase portable or flexible sewing lamps. While a type of lighting that fills the entire room is great, you may want to have the lighting to focus on specific areas of the sewing machine or your work on the fabric itself. For instance, your room’s overhead lighting (such as the one from the ceiling) may create a shadow over parts of your sewing machine, and you may not be able to see them.
Hence, it is important for you to know beforehand what type of lighting you need. It will help you choose the best sewing light in the form of the lamp – a portable and flexible lamp or a bright light bulb.
3) Color of light
The color of the light you’re about to purchase will also be a significant consideration. The “light” refers to the color of the light’s exterior instead of the color of the lighting itself – white, yellow, orange, blue, green, etc. Specific colors are too intense that they sometimes contribute to headaches or discomfort in your eyes.
Figure out which color you’re most comfortable with and in which you are able to see best. Now that you have the knowledge and clarity, you will be able to choose the ideal lighting for your sewing activities.
4) Room size
How your new lighting will fit your sewing area is also of important consideration. If you wish to brighten the entire room when you sew, you need to know the size of your sewing room or area and the intensity of the lighting you need.
But if you’re looking for a sewing lamp or other flexible lighting, then the size of the room will not be a factor.
Pros and cons of the different types of lighting for sewing
The kind of lighting you will use for your sewing activity depends on your needs. Some lights are only for aesthetic purposes and will prove useless. Consider the following lighting options and their advantages and disadvantages.
Bulb:
- Pros:
- Adjustable light
- Economical
- Acts as a heater
- Cons:
- Wasteful
- High energy consumption
- High energy bills
Neon light or fluorescent lamp
- Pros:
- Color variation
- Energy savings
- Long lifespan
- Cooler temperature compared to other lights
- Bright light
- Cons:
- Expensive
- Difficult to install
LED lamp
- Pros:
- Immediate lighting
- Flexibility
- Lower temperature
- Durability
- Environmental friendliness
- Cons:
- Not economical
- Not suitable for cooler climates
Table lamps
- Pros
- Space saving
- Less power consumption
- Portability
- Low price
- Ease of operation
- Ideal for focused work
- Cons
- No lighting features
- Not capable of lighting up larger spaces.
The takeaway
We have established the importance of sewing machine light for your sewing exercises. These lights are a perfect solution for your sewing struggles and potential health issues that may arise from this.
In any case, it is important for any individual looking to invest in these lights to make sure they will attach to the machine, not flicker, and stay firm. The entire purpose is to make your sewing easier but the aforementioned things further complicate matters for you. So, it is time you stop hunching and squinting your eyes. The advantages of proper lighting for your sewing, buying considerations, and the types of lighting and their pros and cons can hopefully lead you on some potentially excellent lamps for your sewing activity.