Hello Quilters,

I need help with choosing a new iron, and think you all might be the ones to educate me. I do some quilting and a little dressmaking for a little girl as well as iron our clothes when necessary. Our local dealer could not tell me much about Rowenta irons but they sell them. Another shop has a different brand. Both are more expensive than some at the discount stores. I would like to hear from you regarding your experiences with irons.

thanks,
Wanda

I have a Rowenta that I picked up at Costco. It's nice but I don't think it's that much nicer than the Black and Decker iron I had before. I'm not sure the Rowenta is worth the price I paid but I was willing to give it a try. All I really need is something that gets hot and has steam on demand! :lol: I will say I loved my Black and Decker iron very much and was sad to see it go after many, many years.

I also have the little mini-iron with the one inch face on a handle. I love that little thing. It's so much easier to use than hefting the bigger iron. But that's just for piecing not for ironing your kids clothes. :P

The one thing I recommend is that you heft the iron and see if it's the right weight for you. I need a very light iron, other folks I know like a heavier one.

I doubt I've helped you very much. :? These are just my random thoughts on the subject.

Wanda, there is a whole category for what brand of iron different ones like on this forum. http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/154.page

I remember this because it was really helpful to me.

Yvonne,

Thanks for the advice on irons. You have helped tremendously. I am getting too old to heft some of those heavy things. I have been reluctant to spend the money for Rowenta too. I need to spend some time in a store a study them a bit. Have never bought anything from ebay but may give that a try.

Wanda

Thanks, Norah, for the helpful info. I have looked at the website and am inclined to just buy something cheaper and when it wears out, I will get another one.

Wanda

that's the way I like to shop.by cheap, change often

I have always detested ironing, but for some things you just need one. I pick up irons at garage sales., but last year after christmas I picked up an iron at walmart for 3.50. This light weight cheapie works great. The best feature is spraying water. works fine for me, and I have knocked it on the floor several times. I guess you never know, buy what you can afford, and unless you iron a lot .............don't invest a lot. 8)

I iron a lot, and cheap has worked for me. What I use in the sewing room tho is a iron that turns itself off. As I have gotten older I tend to forget things now and having that feature has been a life saver. The one I use for clothes I take down as soon as I am done so no chance of leaving it on. I also got for Christmas a Cl*over little iron that I love to use just for piecing. Hope this helps you.

Rita

On other message boards this subject comes up, periodically. Some people like the expensive end of irons but a lot more of us like the B & D. Rowanta is loved by some but I sure have heard some horror stories.

I'm also looking for a new iron. My old Black & Decker worked great but finally died. I bought a new Black & Decker, but it did not get hot enough so I returned it. Maybe Rowenta is the way to go?

The leakiest iron I ever had was a Rowenta. It went to the junk shop and I have a B & D from Walmart that I love!! And the B & D cost a quarter of what the Rowenta did

I have a Rowenta that I got years ago at JoAnns on a half-off day...
the dial came off :shock: I stuck it back on and it works fine but I usually use the el cheapo Proctor Silex I've had I think forever because it has a very sharp point (the Rowenta is more rounded)... and I like that sharp point when piecing...
Just today I picked up a 'cordless' White at Hancock's off the mark down counter - I haven't even taken it out of the box yet - It was $40 as I said on the markdown. I figured I could try it for that because the cord on the iron really really bugs me sometimes :x

Went to Hancock's because Batiks are HALF PRICE......
and Kona is 40% off but I only got one color... yea yea, I know, but a: I have tons of colors and b: I spent we-won't-discuss-how-much on the batiks :mrgreen:

I have 2 rowentas (both gifts) and LOVE them. I've dropped the cheaper version several times and it's still going. My nice one is bigger and heavier. I keep it as a spare. I think if I dropped it, I'd have a problem but my dad says that they will fix them for you. He's had good luck with them and that's the only brand my parents use. Hope this helps.

I have the Rowenta travel iron. Bought it at Target for $34.00. I love it.
Small and light weight and it even has steam. But being small it needs refilling often. So easy to handle when quilting.