Need a new iron....
#1
Need a new iron....
I like to have an ironing space next to my sewing machine. I have a wooden tray table with my wool mat on it so I can just turn and press as I'm piecing. I had a travel iron to press with but it died the other day and I had it less then 2 years. I'm sure it wasn't meant to iron as much as I did with it so it didn't last long.
I have other irons I could use but they're full-size and my tray table and mat are small. I've been trying to find a smaller iron but it's almost impossible. I've thought about the Oliso M2Pro Mini Iron but the reviews are mixed. I'd really like a dry iron only but they're hard to find. I don't use steam at all.
If anyone has the Oliso Mini I'd appreciate your opinion. Any other suggestions?? Why are irons so difficult to find that really suit our needs??
I currently have a Rowenta (that leaks...my husband uses it to iron his shirts), a Black & Decker Classic (it drags on fabric and all the steam holes get caught on my fabric), an el cheapo Black & Decker that I really like but it got something on the soleplate (black, sticky stuff) that I can't get off no matter what I use, and an Oliso that I've never cared for.
I have other irons I could use but they're full-size and my tray table and mat are small. I've been trying to find a smaller iron but it's almost impossible. I've thought about the Oliso M2Pro Mini Iron but the reviews are mixed. I'd really like a dry iron only but they're hard to find. I don't use steam at all.
If anyone has the Oliso Mini I'd appreciate your opinion. Any other suggestions?? Why are irons so difficult to find that really suit our needs??
I currently have a Rowenta (that leaks...my husband uses it to iron his shirts), a Black & Decker Classic (it drags on fabric and all the steam holes get caught on my fabric), an el cheapo Black & Decker that I really like but it got something on the soleplate (black, sticky stuff) that I can't get off no matter what I use, and an Oliso that I've never cared for.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: northern minnesota
Posts: 2,480
I mainly press with my big Rowenta at the ironing board. I went back to a Rowenta after trying several different irons. I now do not put water in it but spray with a mist. Anyway, when I do press by the sewing machine, I use one of those crafting irons which are smaller than travel irons. I have one by Dritz and one by Clover. The Dritz one is a bit bigger and has 4 temperature settings. I works just fine so I can press seams so they will nest nice when constructing a block. When I am further on in the construction, I take my work to my ironing board and do the final pressing there.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 2,525
I use the Steamfast mini. I got it at Walmart, on sale for about ten bucks. You don't need to use steam, and works like a charm. I use it often, and have had it for a few years. Think they are $12-$14 now.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,093
This is what I have, too. I really like it! It has tiny steam holes, so they don't get caught. I just use it dry.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,401
I have the Steamfast Mini-iron too. So far so good. But I want to find a small Black and Decker - lightweight but gets really hot. It like a 3/4 size - they have them at the time-share we have in Vegas - really want to accidentally pack it in my suitcase to bring it home. (But I would never be able to use it without feeling guilty.). When I iron I keep a USED dryer sheet on my ironing board. I spritz it with water, then run the hot iron over it. It keeps my irons from sticking and I use spray starch a lot. And since I started using the used dryer sheet, there is no build up on any of my irons. I used to use dryer sheets all the time - but now I use wool dryer balls, so I ask my daughters for them. Yes, they think I am nuts but I gave them my dryer sheets that I stopped using.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,559
I got fed up wasting money on expensive irons that don't last longer than a couple of years. Found an $18 Hamilton Beach model at the hardware store and thought why not, it can't be any worse than these expensive name-brand irons. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! It's lasted the longest of all my quilting irons and does not have an auto shutoff feature, which drove me nuts on my other irons.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 683
I have the Rowenta small travel iron and really like it. It is small, fits my hand, and has a really pointy front end. Very helpful when seams have to be pressed open. I do not use water in any iron and have found that they last a lot longer. It does not have auto off so I have to pay attention! I also like it because it has a handle and is easier to grip a with my arthritic fingers. A couple of the small travel irons have to gripped with a whole hand type grip, so I would check that out if you have arthritis in your hands.