Need more light!!

Just purchased a new Janome 6600P a few days ago, got it out of the box & set up as soon as I brought it home and just sat....in awe, dumbfounded at what I had just bought and full of anxiety about this beautiful new machine! Can you be "in love" with a sewing machine?? ;) Anyway, finally got the courage this afternoon (after going through the manual casually & reading most of it thoroughly) to fill a couple of bobbins....love this automatic bobbin winder! Then thread the machine and start playing a bit. The automatic thread cutter....oh wow!! I will never be the same! lol I can hardly wait for my first one on one training on Wednesday!!

My only "dislike" and I'm not even sure it's a dislike....more of a personal issue....is the lighting or lack there of. :( I upgraded from a Janome DC3050 and had the same problem.....the one light does not provide the light that I need in order to see the way I need to. Does anyone else have the same problem with their machine(s)?? When using my DC3050 I had to use a desk lamp that put out a lot of light (and heat) sort of in front of & to the left of the machine AND a reading lamp with three separate lights behind and to my right (more heat).....in order to get as much light as I could. Any suggestions? What about these lights I have seen on different websites & in catalogs that actually attach to the machine & have a flexible "neck" on them so you can position them how you want. What about an Ott light?? I know they are on the expensive side, but IF they put out the light I need and don't make me feel like I'm in a constant state of a HOT flash (have had enough of those on my own!!) I will invest in one. And If y'all do recommend an Ott light....which model(s) seem to be the best as far as size & the best lighting possible?? Having my light source make me overheat, does not make my sewing very enjoyable and I really want to enjoy this new beautiful machine!

Thanks in advance!

BTW....my new Janome sews a PERFECT "scant" 1/4" without any adjustment!!! :icon_woohoo:

I have my Janome 7700 in its own table. It has more lights than the 6600 but is in a darker part of the room, so I have an Ott light on the sewing table, mostly for when I have to pick out stitches.

For sure Ott light!!! I have one and I can touch the metal shade to adjust it with my bare fingers!
I got mine at Joanns at 1/2 price. It is a telescoping desk lamp - I only paid $25. I will get a floor lamp when I can, of course it will be an Ott light!

Ecolux has lights for sewing machines. I have them on a Pfaff 2170. It helps. I ran into another dealer in Denver. I don't know how he sells, the lights are not as finished as the Ecolux, but I bought one for the Brother 1500 and am satisfied with it. Both are LED.
EcoluxLighting lighting for your sewing machine
SewLite Sewing Machine Lighting Upgrade Kits

SewLite was at the Denver Quilt show.

My DD bought an ott light for me several years ago. I use it by my machine all the time. makes such a difference for me

I have two Ott lights, a small desk size and a lampstand style and I wouldn't want to do without them. But sometimes I can't put either of them close enough to the actual area I am stitching, which I really need. I have a light very much like this one that attaches right to my sewing machine so that I can shine it right onto the needle and presser foot so that I can see what I'm doing. I recommend it. MIGHTY BRIGHT SEW MACHINE LIGHT - Product Details This one is very inexpensive and even comes with an extra mounting base in case you have more than one machine.

Thank y'all for the quick responses. Now I have to get busy & get some more light! :icon_bigsmile:

I have a brand new Janome 7700 that boasts of having "5 ultra-bright LED lamps", however, it just isn't enough task lighting for me. I bought an Ott light that I absolutely love. It is the clamp on type with the gooseneck design. I have it clamped to my sewing table just to the back and right of my machine. It is perfect for me. I can bend it anyway I want and because it is a clamp on it doesn't interfere with my projects. It gives a lot of light. I picked it up at Wal-Mart for $24.97. I would buy it again in a heart beat.

Thanks! Had no idea that Wal-Mart carries Ott lights.

I posted a while back that Walmart had the Ott light with compartments for scissors and such for $20.00 . I don't know it they still have it but I will see if I can find the picture I posted. Here it is.

Attachment 52594

My Viking light went out but I keep forgetting to buy the bulb at the shop. I need a list. lol

Did you know you can just buy the bulb?
OttLite Full Spectrum Lighting | Floor Lamps | Reading Lamps | Desk Lamps | HD Lights

I recently bought 2 Ikea lights called Jansjo - one clip on and one table lamp. If you don't have an Ikea nearby, I also started using the Daylight CFL bulbs from Walmart. They come 4 to a package for $.88. They don't put out any heat! I used to use the Reveal incandescent bulbs in my table lamps and would die from the heat. I like them so well, I bout 4 packages today at WalMart and will be changing all my bulbs as they burn out. If you already have lamps, I'd recommend buying a package of these bulbs. All you'd be out is $.88 - unless you're like me and can't get out of Walmart for under $100... :icon_whistle:

I have a 6600 and I agree that in some circumstances the lighting is not adequate. It's weird because I have a desktop Ottlite and sometimes it helps me see better, but sometimes I see better without it. I think when I work with very dark colors it helps to use the Ottlite. I'd say it would be a good idea to get an Ottlite and then you have it when you need it. I agree with Jean that they are a tremendous help when you have to rip out stitches.
The one draw back with my Ottlite is that it gives off a lot of heat. I don't mind that in the winter, but it's a little much sometimes in the summer.

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Originally Posted by grannyann

I posted a while back that Walmart had the Ott light with compartments for scissors and such for $20.00 . I don't know it they still have it but I will see if I can find the picture I posted. Here it is.

Attachment 52594

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My sister got that same light at her Walmart about 2 months ago on clearance for $10.00. She sent me one as well. I have a different ott light I got at 50% off at Joann's by my machine and it's pretty much close to my head to shine where I want the light. It's nice because I feel no heat coming off the lamp at all.

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Originally Posted by K. McEuen

My sister got that same light at her Walmart about 2 months ago on clearance for $10.00. She sent me one as well. I have a different ott light I got at 50% off at Joann's by my machine and it's pretty much close to my head to shine where I want the light. It's nice because I feel no heat coming off the lamp at all.

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I don't feel any heat coming off my light, either.

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Originally Posted by KathyCrofoot

I recently bought 2 Ikea lights called Jansjo - one clip on and one table lamp.

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Amazon.com also sells the Jansjo LED desk lamps. Bonnie Hunter (Quiltville.com) recommends them too.

I have this Ott light set up for my ironing board - OttLite - Pivoting Dome Lamp (I think it was about $25 w/coupon at Joanns).

I have one of these by machine and another on my cutting table - Ottlite 18W Flexarm Plus Refresh Lamp & desk & table lamps at Joann.com (can't remember what I paid, but I got them on sale).

I love them!!!

Mine isn't an Ott light but this is one that I purchased a few years ago at Menards. Can't remember what I gave for it but I'm sure it wasn't over $20. I love it, it bends any position I want and it and puts out a lot of light. My small sewing/computer room is dark even though theres 2 windows.

Thank you everyone! I knew I would get lots of help. :D Now just have to go to Wal Mart (first) and check out those .88 bulbs and if they don't work move on from there. Will also order a couple of the Ott replacement bulbs, that say they fit "most" standard light sockets!

I have that light, but as a table or clip on. (it does both) I still find the lighting inadequate, even for a serger. Clipons just get in the way on a Horn or Koala table on the right, and you don't want them on the left. I have a storage unit that is too high for a table lamp on the right. I have one floor lamp that I read by, and even though it's half under the chair, I still trip over it. My husband adapted some LED lights to a swag over one cabinet and the cutting table. It helps. I find the machine lights better. That bendable used to wiggle down when machine embroidering. I gave up on it.

Well, I went to Wal-Mart and found the Daylight Compact Florescent (CFL??) bulbs...but NONE of them were just $.88. I think the least expensive pkg was 2-40 watt bulbs for $4.88 or $4.96. The higher the wattage the more they cost. They had the "decorative" type that are elongated and come to a point, they were even more. Oh well, I did buy a pack of 3-60 watt Daylight Compact Florescent bulbs for my reading lamp. We shall see..... Still going to order the Ott light bulbs and/or get a small Ott light from Joanns (with coupon, of course).

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Originally Posted by KathyCrofoot

I recently bought 2 Ikea lights called Jansjo - one clip on and one table lamp. If you don't have an Ikea nearby, I also started using the Daylight CFL bulbs from Walmart. They come 4 to a package for $.88. They don't put out any heat! I used to use the Reveal incandescent bulbs in my table lamps and would die from the heat. I like them so well, I bout 4 packages today at WalMart and will be changing all my bulbs as they burn out. If you already have lamps, I'd recommend buying a package of these bulbs. All you'd be out is $.88 - unless you're like me and can't get out of Walmart for under $100... :icon_whistle:

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You will be so happy with an Ott light. I use two in my sewing room. One is a "gooseneck" attached to the right side of my sewing table; I pull the light itself right down behind my needle and can see perfectly. The other is a little battery powered set of Ott LEDS. I move that to wherever I'm pinning or cutting, because I have some odd, dark spots in my sewing room.

If you have a Joann's near you, use a 40% off coupon. That brings those Ott lights down into an affordable price range.

No, really? It can't be a regional thing can it? Here's a picture of the empty package. 4-60 Watt equivalent bulbs really lights up the whole room. If it weren't for shadows, I probably wouldn't need the desktop lamps... I double checked the receipt - $0.88 per package.

Attachment 52810

Thanks for the pic, that helps tremendously. Will check again....there are two other Wal-Marts within 10 to 15 minutes of me, each in a different direction. I really appreciate the help. :)

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Originally Posted by KathyCrofoot

No, really? It can't be a regional thing can it? Here's a picture of the empty package. 4-60 Watt equivalent bulbs really lights up the whole room. If it weren't for shadows, I probably wouldn't need the desktop lamps... I double checked the receipt - $0.88 per package.

Attachment 52810

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Ihave a desktop flip up ott like on my desk and a small hand held ottlike for spot things. love the true color they produce!! one I got 1/2 price at joanns.com the other from michaels.

I was looking for the light last week end at Wal-Mart. They didn't have it and won't be getting any.. also they don't have the chalk pounce pads anymore. My wally world is down sizing their fabric & notions and putting in junk as the aisle continue to shrink..

Same here, with all THREE wally worlds that are all within 10 to 15 minutes of me. Before one relocated to a stand alone location and a bigger store....their fabric & notions dept was great. Now it's one aisle, that is constantly a mess and not much of anything to choose from. :( and it continues to shrink.....

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Originally Posted by KathyCrofoot

No, really? It can't be a regional thing can it? Here's a picture of the empty package. 4-60 Watt equivalent bulbs really lights up the whole room. If it weren't for shadows, I probably wouldn't need the desktop lamps... I double checked the receipt - $0.88 per package.

Attachment 52810

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Do these give off heat? I bought an Ottlite bulb at Joann's and I can feel the heat coming off of it. I don't use it unless I REALLY need it because it makes me get hot and sweaty!

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Originally Posted by bec

Do these give off heat? I bought an Ottlite bulb at Joann's and I can feel the heat coming off of it. I don't use it unless I REALLY need it because it makes me get hot and sweaty!

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They might get a little warm, but not nearly as hot as the incandescent light bulbs I used to use.