Mini Iron - Like it or Hate it?
 

I was thinking of purchasing a mini iron like you see in many of the quilting tutorials on you tube but wasn't sure how useful it would be or if it was just another one of those quilting items that look really cool at first but in reality not as good as it appears. For those of you who purchased one, do you like it? hate it? pros? cons?

I like the Dritz iron best. The Oliso has a weird grip for my hand and sometimes gets really hot. I also just purchased a Steamfast and haven't used it enough to comment about it. I keep the iron next to my machine to press seams when I'm sewing. Like it.

I also have a steamfast mini iron. I use mine dry all the time. I love it.

Thank you, bneuen and mmunchkins. That is encouraging! I thought I might enjoy one. Will have to now look at the different brands.

I have the Clover Wedge mini iron, it feel more like a iron. I have the Steam Fast and it's nice but has a grip handle. I haven't tried the new Reliable mini iron that is getting good reviews. Any are handy to have next to your machine.

The SteamFast iron is the bomb! I leave it on a wool pressing matt next to my machine. It is wonderful to press components before assembly into a block. I use a big iron for yardage, but the SteamFast is my go to iron for blocks. I also have a clover mini-iron, the tiny one with an assortment of wedge sizes. I used it for components before the SteamFast. The problem with it is that it gets too hot and there is no easy way to store it next to my machine, it rarely gets used.

Love my mini Steadfast!
Only 12.00 at Walmart
Syl

Funny you should ask! I recently started using my mini iron for no good reason except that I decided it would be handier. Well it was handy but then I had to use my regular iron for something else and went back to it. What a difference! I am doing a quilt with 16 pieces for a 12" block. So there was a lot of pressing and as far as I am concerned there is no comparison between the two when you are pressing different pieces for a block. It's like you said when you see someone else using it looks like it would be great and you feel like you are missing something. Sometimes you just gave to try it yourself--only telling you my experience.

I'm on the Steamfast band wagon too. Just love it. Only use the BIG IRON if pressing yardage. Keep my misting bottle near by incase have to get fab moist. Bought it at Wal-mart. Confession...if DH and I find something we really love and we go back to get another, many times item is no longer available. So, DH went back to Walmart and bought 3 more! I gave him a big hug and kiss when he gave me he bag.!!!https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png

I *hate* the clover mini iron. Have burned myself on that dang thing so many times. I bought the Dritz Petite Press and love it so much, I bought a backup just in case. ;)

I dislike the clover iron too. In fact, I tried to give it to 2 different friends and they gave it back to me. I watch Pam Heller use it on her Accuquilt videos and it fits her purpose but like Peckish, it's only good for burning fingers.
I may check out the mini iron at Walmart because I would like to have one for my appliqué in the hoop.

I have had a Conair travel iron forever that worked pretty well. Then handle was thick and awkward especially when the arthritis acted up in my hands. Then I found a Rowenta mini iron on sale and it has a smaller handle and a really sharp pointed end and bought it. I really like it better than the Conair and is much easier to handle. I do not use water in any of my irons so that is not an issue with me.

I have a small travel iron "Steamfast" that I use when piecing. I use it dry and does a good job of pressing.

Love my Clover Wedge but not sure they still make it.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/..._AC_SS350_.jpg
Panasonic 360 Ceramic Cordless Freestyle Metallic Red Iron
Pointed at both ends and cordless. Purchased in July--Love it! I use it with my wool mat and on the ironing board.

You all are the greatest! Thanks for all the reviews. I think I'm going to try the mini Steamfast iron at Walmart. It's a good price to see if this is something I will use a lot or not.

I have a mini Steamfast and I like it. I don't use it that often but it's nice to have a small one when you need it.

The Clover Wedge is not the skinny one: It's this one:
https://external-content.duckduckgo....%26h%3D160&f=1

There are two different versions of the Steamfast iron sold in store at Walmart. One is in the craft dept and has clear plastic, the other is the original SteamFast in the ironing dept., at least they are in all the Walmarts in my area. Online the prices are triple what they are in the store. It's the best buy for the solid original SteamFast. The Steamfast was bought in bulk so the price is low. Probably won't be that low again so buy an extra.

I also have the Steamfast and like it for taking along to sew days so I can have it right by my sewing machine on a pressing mat.
I don't put water in it as I feel they just don't last as long once water is put in.

I don't put water in my mini-iron because I am always getting burned by steam when I iron the seams. Plus I don't want it to leak. I do use steam in my regular big iron when ironing large fabric pieces for cutting.

Hi ashley, I have the same iron (well, it's not that cool red color!) And I love it too. Works great. I don't have room for a mini iron. Maybe if I change things up i will but my work area isn't large so it isn't much of a hassle to get up to iron. And, I need to move around more anyway. I sit all day at work so it's good for me to get up a lot. 😁

Oh, I just noticed your is ceramic. I don't have the ceramic one. Mine is a regular one. I got it about 3 or 4 years ago. I didn't know they had ceramic now. I bet yours is really nice to use.

I am a Steamfast user also. I find it really helpful when working on small applique pieces, using heat and bond, or pressing small seams. I can set it up by my sewing machine and save me running time. My full sized iron and ironing board is down stairs, so going up and down the stairs can get quite tiring!

I use my rowenta travel all the time, love it. The clover mini iron II i used a few times and it is easy to burn yourself if not careful

I can see where it would be easy to burn yourself with steam on the mini iron. I've burned myself plenty with the big iron usually by standing to close to the ironing board when steaming. LOL.

I use my mini iron all the time. Great to have next to my cutting boar on a nice wool mat. The steam feature is great though I don't use it often.

I looked in Walmart yesterday. The original Steam Fast mini iron is in my local walmart for under $13 in the laundry dept. The craft mini iron is in the craft dept.

Onebyone- Awesome, thanks for the info. My local Walmart does not carry to mini iron but the Walmart one town up the road does. I saw it on-line as well. Maybe getting one for Christmas.....

I have a mini Oliso iron too. I agree that it is hard to pick up and it hot. You need to turn the heat down. I do like it though.

Another one is the Sunbeam Hot to Trot.
https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-Hot-2...-2&tag=mh0b-20

I have had one for many years and love it Easy to use and fits nicely in the palm of your hand

Oh I looked at the link eparys posted and saw the travel cases for the SteamFast and the Hot to Trot. How cute are those! I ordered the one for the SteamFast.

Really cute travel case! Thanks for sharing, eparys.

I love mine and I paid $30.00 for the first one and $12.00 for the second one from Walmart. I keep one by my sewing machine and the other is packed to go to sewing classes and retreats. (Well not this year but when things were normal.)

Thanks for sharing.

Dritz
 

I had a Dritz and used it so much for my quilts and dolly clothes that I burned it out. Will get only another Dritz.

Love them to the death--of the iron.

I have the Steamfast and loved it so much I bought another one. I never put water in any of my irons though. I use a spray bottle.

I bought a mini iron from MSQC on one of their daily deals but haven't used it yet so I am interested in this feedback.

I decided to get the Clover mini-iron early on and it's saved me a million times over. It does get really hot, I use it on the medium setting and I can open my seams and press them open in the blink of an eye. It came in very, very handy when I was working my GFG, I was able to just press the seams open until the flower was done and then press the entire flower all at once with my regular iron. Any quilt I do now, with the exception of my sister's DWR, I used the mini-iron on the seams. It saved so much time and I was able to get the seams open correctly the first time.

I have the dritz mini/travel iron size and I love it for pressing by my machine or taking out to quilt...which I hope we get to do again some day... it’s also great if you have a lot of repetitive pressing of small components as it isn’t as heavy as the full sized iron, so it’s easier on my shoulder. It gets really hot too, which is a bonus and you can use steam, although I tend not to. I have a clover mini iron I bought years ago on sale at Joann's and have never opened the package. Thinking I would give it a go, as it sounds like it could be very useful. I bought it to do turned appliqué, but haven’t done such a project yet, so there it sits. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...s/rolleyes.png