Comments on: Stitchqueries: What kind of lighting?

By: Faith

Faith — Thu, 05 May 2011 01:18:14 +0000

I have two OTT lites… One is a floor model and the other is the task lamp. It depends what I am stitching and where for which lite I use or if I need to use both!

By: Anita Sorrells

Anita Sorrells — Tue, 03 May 2011 21:39:15 +0000

I actually have an OTT light, but prefer stitching with a regular light that I use the full spectrum bulbs in. This is because this light (kind of looks like a tree with a large light at the top and a smaller light coming from the middle) is very adjustable, and I find that my OTT light does not give me enough light in the area I am working on.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 03 May 2011 15:06:43 +0000

I use an OTT Light on a floor stand and really like the difference it makes to allow me to stitch at night. I have a desktop OTT light also, but have never really been as happy with it, of course it could be me…

By: Joni

Joni — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:54:46 +0000

Yes, they are said to give off UVB that helps them process Vit D or A…i can’t remember…but then I’ve also read that they don’t give off any UV and the light is to just help them see a wider spectrum of colors. Eventually I stopped researching it because it became so confusing. The birds enjoy the light though, their feathers have improved since I put one in their room….maybe I should sit in there and see if it does the same for my hair. LOL

By: Holly via STNA's Facebook Fan Page

Holly via STNA's Facebook Fan Page — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:35:30 +0000

I have never found any lighting really good, OTT lights just dont cut it for me. SO what I have is a lamp with an additional Halogen bulb for my general task lighting, but I also have one of those headlamps one uses when camping to put a spotlight on my work, the only drawback for this is that I go thru toms of AAA batteries.

By: loretta

loretta — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:25:55 +0000

Thank you for the extra info Joni, that is really good stuff! Very helpful for bulb shopping (and I didn’t know the birdies needed those)

By: Joni

Joni — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:13:58 +0000

I’ve had to do extensive research on full-spectrum bulbs for my parrots. This is a small portion of what I’ve learned…and its most likely way more than anyone needs to know…

Most “normal” bulbs are made at an 86 CRI (color rating index, the higher the number, the more colors visible). The specialty spectrum bulbs are typically 91 cri, but try to find a 93 if possible. There is a 96 CRI bulb available, but I don’t believe they come in compact bulbs, rather in fluorescent tubes.

Also note the Kalvin (Kelvin?) rating, I don’t suggest going over a 5000K. I once had a bulb that was a 5500k and it gave off a really odd and irritating shade of blue.

And the wattage of the bulb doesn’t compare with the normal compact bulb wattage either. Generally Full Spectrums have a lower watt because the light they give is truer. So don’t be surprised when you can’t locate a 60watt FS bulb!