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-   -   Which iron is best for quilting? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/iron-best-quilting-t83656.html)

Cheshirecatquilter 12-19-2010 08:40 PM


Originally Posted by Fabaddict
just read the c ommments from above and thought I would add my two cents - I have a Rowenta, it does get hot, does not have an auto shut off, but leaks - if I use steam, I have to empty it every time - have had a few cheap irons in the mix and most have been ok - the last one I bought was a shark - it leaks like a sieve (worse than the Rowenta) and shuts off when ever it feels like it - has even shut off while I am using it. All the problems with that one started the day the warranty expired or I would take it back. I would love a reliable iron that does not have auto shut off that would last more than 90 days. Cheap/inexpensive doesn't matter to me - I just want one that will work properly

I have a Shark and have all the same problems with it PLUS the danged thing will not stand upright. It tipped itself down when I wasn't watching and burned a big spot in my ironing board cover. The auto shut off doesn't work fast enough to prevent a fire as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't steam when I want it to, so now I just use it dry all the time and use a spray bottle. I'm much happier now.

Lizann 12-19-2010 08:56 PM

You would not believe what I have gone through looking for the perfect iron. Back in the early 90's I had bought a Sunbeam steam iron which was very simple and cheap. I saw in the consumers report that it was the best iron to own. I sew and quilt a lot which requires my iron to be on all the time. Finally my iron cord broke so I was in the search for another Sunbeam. To my disappointment all irons regardless of brand or price has this stupid auto shut off which was so frustrating. I have been searching for the right iron for over a year. I have gone through Rowenta, Black & Decker, the new Sunbeam convertable steamer & iron, Oliso and few others. I had returned all of them over the past year. I now own a very cheap one from Target which cost me less than $15. by Black & Decker. It's not the best but will do for now until I find my ideal iron. If you know of any steam iron with no auto shut off please let me know.

CircleSquare 12-19-2010 10:00 PM

I bought an iron from Sears about 15-20 years ago for $40. It lasted until a year ago!! It was a great iron. I used it with water. It had a self-cleaning feature, auto shut-off, and completely variable heat settings. I don't remember what the brand was. I'd sure like to get another one like it. Oh, I believe it was Norelco. I guess they don't make it any more.

danade 12-20-2010 12:05 PM

The Oliso is a very interesting iron--when you take your hand off the top of the handle, little feet (about a half-inch tall) immediately come out of the bottom to hold the iron off the surface of your ironing board. This means you don't have to bend your wrist up constantly to set the iron up vertically. When you want to use it again you just put your hand on the top of the handle and it's ready to go again, so you can just push it away from you, soleplate down, let go of it and reposition your fabric or stop ironing temporarily. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis in your wrist this would be an excellent choice. Only problem with it that I have is that after you unplug it you can't go back for that "last bit of heat" in the iron because of the little feet that have come down.

Not sure that I explained that quite right, but you get the general idea.

Dana

AliKat 12-20-2010 01:41 PM

I've had a few irons. My friends have had more. One friend goes through Rowenta's and the newer style irons quite rapidly.

I prefer my cheaper little Black & Decker. When at the Houston Quilt Festival I finally splurged and bought the IronShoe to put on my iron and the ironing board cover from BoNash. My iron has never been incontinent and the cover of the ironing board cleans easily after spraying or fusing or whatever. Much better than the cover I made from Joann's teflon material.

ali

madamepurl 12-20-2010 04:00 PM

I think that's a great explanation. :)

LivelyLady 12-20-2010 04:15 PM


Originally Posted by danade
The Oliso is a very interesting iron--when you take your hand off the top of the handle, little feet (about a half-inch tall) immediately come out of the bottom to hold the iron off the surface of your ironing board. This means you don't have to bend your wrist up constantly to set the iron up vertically. When you want to use it again you just put your hand on the top of the handle and it's ready to go again, so you can just push it away from you, soleplate down, let go of it and reposition your fabric or stop ironing temporarily. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis in your wrist this would be an excellent choice. Only problem with it that I have is that after you unplug it you can't go back for that "last bit of heat" in the iron because of the little feet that have come down.

Not sure that I explained that quite right, but you get the general idea.

Dana

I saw one of those irons at a quilt show......very impressive but wasn't sure how good it was. A dealer was selling them, but I like to get my facts from people who own them. I'm assuming you have one; if so, how do you like it?

FroggyinTexas 12-20-2010 05:37 PM


Originally Posted by mrs_uncle_fuzzy
The most important thing about an iron for me is auto shut off, I had been known to turn around and drive an hr back home to check the iron and the coffee pot before I got ones with auto shut off, for me at least it gives me peace of mind when my mind is in pieces.

Amen to that. I can stand a minute or so of waiting for reheating for the safety feature of the automatic off. What's more, leaving the iron on and always hot is a terrific waste of energy.

I have two irons, an inexpensive GE that I bought at WalMart and a Rowenta. I like to take the GE to workshops, but the Rowenta is my baby--it is heavy and hot and really shoots out the steam when I need it.

froggyintexas

Somebunny 12-22-2010 09:16 AM

I sew a lot and do not like the auto shut off feature, but do like the safty it provides. So I plug everything into a surg protector and when I'm done sewing or going to leave the house, I know it's all off if I just turn the surge protector off. I borrowed an iron until I find one I like and I hate the auto shut off features I'm constanly shaking it to turn it on and the bottom is sticky and turning brown. Already cleaned it, but it's going down hill fast from the use of starch. It's a t-fal. I know now a stainless steel bottom and no auto shut off is what I'm looking for.

user3587 12-22-2010 09:26 AM


Originally Posted by Shorebird

Originally Posted by DesertLake
I say "quilting" because my husband can walk around in a wrinkled T-shirt, but goodness, my fabric better not have a wrinkle in it when I'm cutting it. I finally wore out my iron, the poor thing had one good year of quilting before it went. The good news is I get to buy a new one. But which one??? No small choice here. Which iron do you have/like? Do the folks who have the cordless ones or the docking stations like them? I can get 50% off at Jo-Ann's this weekend. Please share. Thank you!

Check your coupon for exclusions......they all normally exclude the irons..........Our Joann's onnly carries Rowenta, and you could not pay me to have one of those........I splurged and got an Oliso at the last quilt show and absolutely LOVE IT.

I have an Oliso and love it as well.


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