I am beginning to recognize that a small "mini" iron would be quite an asset and handy to use when piecing and pressing little seams. Looking around, there seem to be lots of brands (and prices as well) From your experience, which iron do you like best and why?

(just an aside, I was watching a video of Alex Anderson and she was using a mini iron. She kept referring to her regular iron as "her big girl iron". It made me laugh......I guess we never grow up, thank goodness..... :lol:

the clover mini has been a staple in my sewing room for about 5 years...don't know how i got along without it, it gets very hot... is perfect size and weight, and has lasted longer than a couple big expensive irons i've had. it even came with a heat proof carrying pouch so you can put it away safely.

Does it have steam?

I have the clover and like it well enough, but I do find I will use my "big" iron even after using the clover , because I love to steam everything. Nothing beats steam and lots of it to get FLAT blocks .
The only thing it is unbeatable on is fusable bias , those thin strips and curves , too many burnt fingers with the big iron.

I have a Clover mini, and hardly ever use it. What I do use all the time is a travel iron. It is small compared to my regular iron, and has steam if I want it. Heats up very quickly and has a nice point in the front for ironing open seams if you want.

Which travel iron do you have? I have a Roweena, and have gone through 2 fairly quickly because the plastic handle leaks.

I have a clover iron and sometimes use it for fusing applique. But honestly, I find my little wooden presser, that I bought for paper piecing, works just as well (and with fewer burnt fingers :oops: ).

Just had to go and look. It's a Morphy Richards Voyager, but I've had it for years, so don't know if they are still around.

i don't use it often (because i forget i have it) but my mini is a Clover brand. i haul it out (when i remember i have it) to use when i want to press piles of patches but don't want to stand forever at the ironing board.

Hobbico Iron is my favorite mini iron. It gets very hot but no steam. I bought it at the Hershey Quilt Show and haven't used my mini Clover iron since. I also love the blue tile iron holder.

http://www.softexpressions.com/softw...ns/hobbico.php

I just bought the Clover mini iron and it worked real well, but the stand for it stinks! I had my husband make one our of wood that had a cutout for the tip that works much better. I just placed a little tin foil so the wood wouldn't burn as the iron gets very hot.

With the old stand, I ended up burning my arm and it fell off the holder very easily.

I just use a coffee mug . works well

[ I have a Roweena, and have gone through 2 fairly quickly because the plastic handle leaks.[/quote]

I also have a Rowenta and have not experienced the leaking problem....love the steam and how fast it heats up. Did not like the fact that it doesn't have an on/off switch, so installed one on the cord. Take it to class, on travel, etc and it works great. YOu can have steam or not.

I have an old faithful clover for stained glass etc. Use my wooden "iron" for PP and have a small travel iron I use for classes. Only thing I use my "big girl" iron for is ironing large pieces or that final steam press for FLAT squares.

Forgot to say I have also had several Rowentas but three of them leaked. Won't buy another one. The Walmart cheapies seem to do just as well.

I have the traveling Rowenta and love it. I never use steam, however, so don't how it would do with it.

A few months ago I bought a mini iron called Petite Press from Dritz at Joann Fabrics. Regular price $40 (I used a coupon, of course) It is a wand type iron and the pressing head will pivot into different angles. I use it a lot! It is lightweight, provides the correct angle and reduces the stress on my wrists and elbows. It does not provide steam, but that is ok with me, I don't steam set seams anyway. I only use the big (heavy) girl iron now for yardage, everything else is pressed with my baby girl iron.

I have a small wooden cutting board that I use as an ironing board right next to the machine. No padding, just wood. I think that helps with flat seams. I use a clover iron and drop it into an old coffee mug until I need it again. I really like it

Mine is a Clover. Those babies get hot so be careful.