Has anyone ever used the clover mini iron?
 

My mom does alot of doll clothes and barbie clothes making-thought maybe this would be a good Christmas gift for her so she didn't have to have her big iron out all the time. Has anyone used one? Is it worth buying the one with all the attachments? Any help I can get in making this decision I would appreciate-Thanks

I have one, used it, hated it, now it takes up space in my sewing room. Wouldn't get hot enough. Have since got the petite press and love it. The handle is adjustable.

I have the clover iron. I just use the attachment that came with it. I use it for sleeves, collars, small areas that is hard for even my small iron. For hems, waist bands and the final press I use my miniature iron. The clover iron is convenient but I only use it because I already had it. I would probably but one this size if I didn't already have one.

All the time!!! It is the perfect little iron for very small seam areas, ironing the quarter inch to freezer paper when doing applique, paper piecing, etc. Would think it would be perfect for doll clothes. I have two. The older one does not have the safety guard and I would recommend getting the one that does have it. That also comes with two sizes of ironing heads. The chisled point is the winning feature on this.

I used it for small applique. It helped in those tiny areas.

I don't know about the newer Clover irons but the older models, the iron had to be brought to highest temp several times before it reached max temp. Once it reached max temp then it, it would get very hot after that when turned on. DH explained it to me but I forgot most of it. I almost threw mine away, it wouldn't get hot enough, I only tried it twice. DH said to heat it up, let it cool then retry. After about four times the iron got hot and stayed hot.

Mine never got hot enough. Takes up room in my sewing room. However, I will try what BellaBoo suggested in repeated heatings to get it up to temperature. Then if it doesn't work, maybe I'll get rid of it.

Anita

This is very true! Now that sucker gets "hinges of Hell" hot! I have to make sure I don't have it turned up to high or it will scorch my fabrics or over melt my fusible.

I have the mini iron 2 and use it for embellishments I like it. It does get hot, have burn myself on it. Its really good for applique paper piecing, embellishment(foil, angelina, glitter, etc).

Just a funny story. My friend went with husband to haragate show to look at the quilts etc. she purchased nothing at all . He bought a cover iron to help with making his model planes. It was just right for him.

my clover iron is a permanent fixture in my Dear Jane project area... love it

I have it, and like it. But I'm still a beginner.

I find it a bit awkward to use. The only time I use mine is for applying thin bias strips with fusibles.

I've been using mine for 10+ years---sometimes can not function without it! I do a lot of applique and find it to be my favorite go-to tool. also could not do all the stained glass applique I do without it. I don't know about using it for doll clothes- but I love it for applique. :)

Yes, I have one and I like it. If you are opening seams to reduce bulk, it's so handy to have.It's great for any small area where a large iron would be too big.
As far as not getting hot enough,oh boy, mine sure was hot enough!!! This topic reminds me, before I use it again, I should buy some heat resistant thimbles. Darn, where did I see them? Oh, well, I guess I will be doing some web searching. I bought the mini iron to use when making stained glass quilt projects. I haven't made the stained glass quilt projects, but I use it for other projects. If your Mom is making doll clothes I would think she would find it very useful,just as I have. My Dad always said, "Having the right tools for the job makes life so much easier". Dad was right.

I have one and use it for ITH projects such as mini picture frames and zipper pouches. I love it!! I read some posts above that said theirs don't get hot enough- mine gets really hot! I really like it for little areas. I do not use any attachments. I use it just the way it came. I did ask DH for a wooden rack that I can lay it on between uses. The little iron rest thingy that came with it does not seem very stable.

I have 2, and I love them. Well, I love one of them because I can't find the first one I bought. I spent weeks looking for it and decided that it must have fallen into that black hole that holds all the single socks and small baby clothes that have been lost in the washing machine over the years. I finally bought another (with a coupon, of course) and hoped that the first one would show up. It hasn't, but I love the one I can find. I use it for appliqué and it works great. It does get HOT and I burned myself the first time out on a part that I didn't expect to be hot.
Sue

Have one but don't use it a lot. Sometimes take to quild sew ins to lighten the load. Have used it more in craft situations.

I am on my second Clover iron. I used it so much that I wore the first one out. I bought the iron when I was making lots of doll clothes; but recently, I have used it for appliqué. I have never noticed my iron not getting hot enough. Some times I have to turn it down. I love that iron so much that the day my first one broke, I went out and bought a new one. I did not want to be without a mini iron.

I've had mine for several years and like using it while I'm piecing, then afterwards I use a regular iron for pressing the finished block. You have to be careful not to burn yourself but it's handy to have it plugged in next to your sewing machine for quick seam pressing. I use the wooden holder and a small (6 inch) ironing/cutting pad and it doesn't take up much space, especially for classes. Don't know about the one with all the attachments because mine is the older one that only came with the one pointed (spade shaped) tip. Never had a problem with it not being hot enough.

I have tried mine one time..not near hot enough..put it back in the drawer...just made me a covered tv tray to sit by my sewing cabinet and use regular iron..after reading now I might try it again..by heating up several times...

There is a student who uses the Clover mini iron for her piecing in all the workshops she takes with me....she hates to get in line for the big iron in the back of the room! (Can't say I blame her!)

Jan in VA

I have one, and I like it, gets hot and stays hot. Every once in awhile I piece a block where the seams need to be ironed opened and I use it for that among other things.

I have one and I like it a lot for sewing doll clothes. There is no way to press those little seams without it!

I have the mini clover iron and I have it set up on a table with an ironing pad beside my sewing machine. I use it for pressing seems open when I'm doing paper piecing (I like to press my seems open when I paper piece). I don't have to get up to go to the "big" iron when I'm making my blocks. I got mine 50% off at Joanns a few years ago. No attachments, just the mini iron. I make clothes for my daughter's sock monkeys (yes, she's 37!!!!) and it's great for those little seams.

I had the same experience.

Thanks for the info. I have been looking at the petite press at JoAnn's and with the coupon, it would be a good deal. May have to try it, since I cannot get the fusible off my clover....really cooked it!

My daughter bought me one and I love it! I don't use it a lot but when I need something for small spaces like delicate appliques it is priceless. Mine gets hot so no problem there!
Lynda

I agree for the same reason. Mine has been sitting in the drawer. I had better luck with a travel iron that I got off Craigslist for $5.00.

I bought one a few years back for this very thing - doll clothes. Mine is temp controlled and it gets freaking hot! I would recommend it and would also recommend a holder for it because the little wire clover stand can be wobbly, especially if you have little feet toddling around.

I read using a heavy, oversized mug on your ironing board to hold the Clover mini-iron worked well. It needs to be tall enough to hold the iron securely and heavy so it's stable and doesn't tip easily.

yep, worked great for bias quilt

Yes I like mine and put it in a ceramic mug instead of the little metal stand that it came with.

i use mine to dry glue seams when i frame pictures and glue the paper backing on. Same issue. didnt get hot at first but works great now. just starting to make smaller applique and other piecing and will be retrieving from my picturing framing box.

The spade part of mine doesn't get very hot but I've burned myself on the handle. The guard has a big hole in it right where I ten to grab.

I'm on the useless side of opinions. It doesn't work for me.

I have never used one. I bought one at the thrift store a few months ago. I plugged it in and it works great but I have not had the chance to use it yet. I paid 3.00 for it. All the information I have read here will help me get the most of it. Thanks to all....

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.

I use the clover iron to fuse iron on pieces for machine embroidery appliqué. After the machine makes the outline stitches, I fuse the fabric into place and then continue with the rest of the machine embroidery. With the clover iron, I can get into the small space of the hoop and don't really have to move away from my machine. But I agree, it's not very hot ( except if you get it against your skin!) and don't really use it to fuse something REALLY well - just enough to stay in place to finish an appliqué.

I agree. Thing is a pain in the pattutie

I have the small headed Clover....about 12 yrs. old. Bought it for applique, but use it often now for ironing seams open and to attach "jewels". I find it most handy....never had a heat problem (Maybe just lucky...) I would say to get it for your Mother and let her decide if she likes it. It's perfect for small items such as doll clothes.