Go to the Dollar Store that way they won't cost very much.

I have a Sunbeam that my DH bought for $1 at an auction that does wonders. Has a nice cord length that allows for pressing large sizes. This particular one does not do steam, but I'm ok with that. I have others for steam if I want it.

The next best iron is a Black and Decker that is small in size, does steam well, is moderately heavy was cheap $$ and still goes like a champ. I travel with it to workshops and vacations. It just didn't have the automatic shut off. Now I'm glad it doesn't as I hated the one that did. Kept turning off if not moved in 15 minutes.

Because I have left an iron on when I didn't intend to, I now have my iron plugged into its own power strip surge protector with a light bulb plugged into the power strip also. Now if the light is on, so is the iron. I haven't left it plugged in since this set up my DH came up with. Has to be safer too. It really is hard to miss the light bulb glowing on the floor!!

I have a Sunbeam that's over 15 years old and gets used a lot. The only thing I don't like about it is that it has an automatic shut off, which bugs me. On the other hand, it heats up very fast, so I don't have to wait if I've been sewing and then have to press something and it's shut off in the meantime. I don't honestly know what I'll replace it with, so I just keep it. I also have my grandmother's flat iron, no steam, very heavy, no auto anything, still in great shape. I just use a spritzer when I want steam. When I do a lot of back and forth to the iron, I use that. It was built in the 1940's. I'm sure I'll never find another iron that will last that long!

I don't know if someone has mentioned an Oreck, but I have had one for approx. 8 years. It turns off automatically after a time of non-use, and I really like that! I don't have to worry about unplugging it.
Kathy P

I have two "cheap" irons from Wal*Mart and have had no problems. Have had them for about a year.

Try the Press 'n Sew by rowenta - lightweight enough for my rotor cuff issue it has a black coated bottom. I have had it for years, don't know if they still make it. The trick is to unplug it after each use, even it you are doing sew then iron. I use a surge protector by my foot, so I just click on the little red light and shut it off. It doesn't have auto off, so I just bought a black & decker that does and the bottom drags on the fabric and makes those crunchy wrinkles on the small pieces. It is okay on the larger ones, but life is too short for me to deal with it. It is in the donation pile for the women's shelter (unknown locations). I make scrap quilts and tie them in all sizes and donate for them too.

I have a Rowenta that I paid $129 for. I used to love it. I have had it about 1 1/2 years and it leaks like a sieve. Every time you tip it to iron water pours out of the back of it. It leaves a huge wet spot on the ironing board. I emailed the company and they told me I am SOL. I will never, ever buy another Rowenta. My sister is having the same problem. I am going to try taking it to Bed, Bath and Beyond where I bought it and see if they can do anything.

I bought a Rowenta Powerglide 2 about 11 years ago. It's still going strong. They don't make this model anymore, but it doesn't automatically shut off. A couple years ago I bought a Rowenta Focus, thinking my Powerglide 2 will probably be dying soon. Then last year after having issues with tendonitis in my thumbs, I bought a Rowenta Travel Iron. I use the Travel Iron all the time for pressing seams while piecing. It's smaller size and less weight is much easier for me to use. I only use it dry. Even though the instructions for my Powerglide 2 said to use tap water, I've always used a half/half blend of my well water and distilled water. Maybe it's my combination of water that has kept it going for so many years, who knows? I certainly don't clean it as often as they suggested. This is just my two cents. I know others who've had nothing but problems w/ Rowenta.

paintmejudy, this has nothing to do with your question about irons.... I LOVE your avatar!!! What is the name of the pattern? I would love to make that!