This topic has been explored before, and it never hurts to re-examine something so "near and dear" to our lacemaking needs.
But the one thing that I keep remembering is the warning that if you use a magnifier (glasses/ headgear/ mounted on the pillow...) all the time, then you run the risk of becoming dependent on that device. I have used a magnifier which has a flourescent tube around the outside perimeter. This worked well for needlework. But for making lace, the field of vision was not adequate, IMO. The pillow-mounted magnifier has potential, but... it is always THERE. And, as Annette has observed, it does get in the way when you have to get in there to work a sewing. I have tried a number of systems, and for me the least offensive (yes... it's a matter of lessor of all evils...) was the "Mag Eyes". I suspect this is the same as the device that David recommended in Australia. Rather than having a tight band that fits around the entire head, this slips onto one's head much like a large pair of glasses. The device comes with two different strengths of power, and when I bought mine, I liked it and then bought two additional lenses of higher powers... assuming that as I aged, my need for more power would increase, and also assuming that (a) they wouldn't be available when I wanted them, or (b) my age-induced limited spending wouldn't be able to afford them. So... it has turned out that this is a good solution for me. The advantage is that they *are* a little bit obtrusive... as in the fact that I can feel the weight of them on my head and they come between me and my lace..., and so I take them off unless I really need them!! I find that I can work for long periods without them, and then when I need them, I pop them on and work through the rough patch. AND... when I am using them, I can adjust them so that I can view my lace under their lenses with my normal vision, and when I need an extra magnification, all it takes is a slight adjustment of my head. So... consider that when you look for your magnification... Don't choose something that will allow your eyes to get "lazy". Work them - but not too much. Clay -- Clay Blackwell Lynchburg, VA USA - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
