I have a mini iron and haven't used it in awhile but should give it a try again since i have a bum right shoulder, torn rotator cuff since 1/23......you can use a heavy coffee cup or jar to set them in while using.....everyone has cups or jars.....i'm thinking of one of those little mini irons for my piecing as i have a tv tray set up by my machine with a padded ironing board setting on my tv tray.....
The padded board also has measurements on it.....works great for me.....the big iron does get a little heavy even tho' it's the lightest iron i could find.