I have lost small tools, sissors etc over the years as I sew but now I have found the cure....I made a little duffle , pattern from Connecting threads,and keep it right by my machine with all of my small tools. As I use them they go back into the duffle. No more hunting under fabric, on the floor, in the trash etc and when I go to quilt meetings or classes all of my tools are ready to go. It saves so much frustration. Good luck finding your foot and I agree, a cheap little iron works for me after my Rowenta died.