I got my last one in a thrift shop. I never put water in any of my irons but I like this one because it stays hot and doesn't turn itself off. I gave $4.00 for it.

I have come to the conclusion that as much as I sew; an iron from my local second hand shop does me just fine.I had the same problem with them not lasting very long and decided I wasn't going to keep throwing alot of money away in the trash .So now i go to the local thrift shop and pick one up and use it until it dies and I've usually only spend $5-10 on one.Get more bang for my bucks that way!!

Hi ya, what about the travel Rowenta? Lighter weight than the traditional.........and beware does get so very hot..........would be good for seams in piecing but hot really big enough for pressing a quilt top..........calla who's sewing buddy and pal moved to Laveen...............poop

i also have had several rowentas and none of them seem to last..i went to target and grabbed a 25 dollar black and decker, and i love it it has great steam.. and it stays on eight min. before it automaticly shuts off gives you more time to go cut or sew then come back to iron again good luck!

I buy mine at Walmart and they last for years , also i think i paid around 15.00 or less

[QUOTE=paintmejudy;5146748]Irons - can't live without one, can't find one to last!

Since I have been quilting, I go through an iron in less than a year, usually 8 to 10 months. Tried many different brands but nothing seems to last. Is it the reduced quality of irons, or is it because when you quilt, they are on for hours at a time. And I quilt almost every day.


Judy...I'm with you! I am in my sewing room 8-10 almost every day. I have tried all kinds of irons through the years, from expensive to inexpensive. The only thing I look for is an iron with NO automatic shut off...drives me nuts! None of mine last any longer...doesn't matter how expensive or not. I have come to the conclusion to just stick to the inexpensive ones as long as there's no shut off. Currently, I am using one that I got at a yardsale last year (paid $3.00). So far it's lasted 9 months now & knock on wood, is still going strong.

I have bought electric knife, mixer and crock pot (probably from the 70's) at resale shops and they work so much better. Probably and iron would, too.

I won't recommend Rowenta--I've had 2 and they aren't worth the money. I now have a Reliable but that would be too heavy for you. I have a cheaper Hamilton Beach that I revert to all the time. I'd like an Olisio but again it is heavier to pick up.

I have tried numerous irons too & am now using a travel iron, Black & Decker I think, that we have had for years, & never used when we did travel, lol. I use it dry, although it has a small water tank for steam. If I wanted water I spray my fabric & iron dry. Love it, best iron I have tried using for quilting! Tried a small one, designed for quilters, but the cord you plug into the iron keeps falling out, so I seldom use it now. I like this one & just unplug it when I am not using it.

My first Rowenta stopped getting hot and the 2nd one started to spew and spit after 6 months (I found out I was not the only one having this problem). I used the recommended water the entire time and still had the problem. I have not had that problem with the Reliable but I still like my Hamilton Beach.