A HAED update

 This past year I have been thinking more about my HAED projects- both started and waiting-to-be, and getting frustrated with the current state of them. 

What was frustrating was magnifying lights that were cheap from wallyworld and such. These proved to be nothing but a waste of money because they would work alright but then not. The first was a Dritz that had a cord for going around your neck. It worked great for years, and I am always careful to take batteries out if not using something for awhile. But I went to use this one day and the plastic was so sticky and gross, I couldn't wipe or scrape the gross off cuz it kept coming and getting on everything near the light itself. But it still worked. Perhaps the plastic or rubber was breaking down or something- but I didn't want that residue getting on a WIP so in the end I tossed it and got a new one. Same exact thing. That one lasted 2 sessions and the wiring went bad. It blinks rapidly and then goes out. The magnifying lense works but there's no light with it anymore. 

I'm not buying any more of those. 

I had Jerry rigged a makeshift magnifying light with it and a neck light but that was awkward and honestly just a pita. It was time to find a good gadget to solve the problem once and for all.  And it turned out to be this. 

What a game changer. 

The other 2 things that are going to be implemented for HAEDs is Pattern Keeper, and gridded fabric. I hear both those things are life changing when it comes to these full coverage projects and I can't wait to try them out. 

Though I have used Pattern Keeper a bit and really liked it, the gridded fabric will save so much time and the new magnifying light will make working on them a joy.

I still plan to keep my "old school " wips on non gridded fabric, and paper charts only, going because they're fine. Having a proper magnifying light will make a huge difference for thier progress. 

I ordered new disappearing ink sewing pens for gridding my own fabric so I'm ready for some serious progress now.