smaller iron for retreats and classes
 

I'm looking for a smaller iron to take along on retreats and to classes. I have one of the Clover mini irons, but that's much smaller than what I need. Any recommendations on what to buy (or what not to buy)?

I've heard good things about the Rowenta travel iron
It's the one Sharon schamber uses and recommends.

I us a small travel iron by Sunbeam that I bought at Target for about $10. It has a water reservoir for steam, or can be used without steam. I take it to all classes and/or retreats. It has worked very well for me.

The Rowenta travel iron is a great size for retreats.

Black and Decker iron
 

I got a Great little Black and Decker steam iron purchased at Target or Walmart for only $12-15.00.

I have the little Sunbeam too. It has teflon on the bottom and stays hot for as long as you have it turned on. I got it on Amazon. My tiny issue with it - the cord coming out of the iron is not in the best place. If you're not careful standing it up after using it, it can flop over. Just because that big cord attachment is so close to the edge and the iron is small. I just used my iron for a 5 day retreat and it worked great.

Been looking for a smaller iron too. Will check out Walmart.

This is on the Walmart site:
Conair EZ Press Compact Steam Iron

I have one that looks like this that is a Shark. Might be made by same company and they put whoever's name on it, and a later model. I bought mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond with a 20% off a few years ago. It is still going strong. Works just like a big iron. From the description it is the same type iron, looks like the same one, just 1" bigger and a different color. Has great reviews.

Love the one I have. I googled the one I have and it looks like they don't make that model anymore, but there was one on Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Euro-Pro-Sha...item486b377bde

I have a "SteamFast" iron, I bought it on Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/SteamFast-SF...ds=travel+iron

I love this little iron!! Heats up fast, works great. Doesn't drip or sputter.

the only class I've been to the last 10 years had 5 quilters per table, and plugs for 5 machines :)
We couldn't plug in anything else.

Most of the retreats I attend have limited iron access..... because of the power issue..... even at the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel..... only 1 iron for about 10 quilters.... I do use a travel iron along with my Featherweight in our little 20' RV .... it presses.... but I always like to come home & give it the final PRESS :D

I am very happy with my little Rowenta.

This is the one I use and love...I even use it beside my machine at home. I have dropped mine on my tile floor and it still works. It doesn't have an auto shut off either which I really like...

I have the $10 one from Joann's ($5 at 50% off). it works well. But I've been using my husband's old travel iron lately. It's a little larger the small one from Joanns, but probably isn't available any more. His is a GE F49 9480-312, which sold for $14 in the 1970's. It's dual voltage. There is a European plug adapter that I don't think I put in the box.

I have this older GE iron that I bought at an antique shop this summer - it's small, and works well. I even used it to iron DH's shirts while we were vacationing on our boat - used a towel on the glass stove top for an ironing board, but I plan to make a cover for the table.
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That is a very CUTE iron! I love my plastic iron but the classic look of those old chrome irons with the black cords is just so nice looking.

I purchased a small Panasonic cordless iron for retreats. The base has a retractable cord. It does have auto shutoff but reheats very quickly. It also has a detachable water tank for steam. Comes with a carry case so no worries about taking home a hot iron. It's pricey at $130. at Amazon but so worth it to be able to maneuver without the cord.

I used to travel a lot for work and so had a travel iron. Since hotels now generally have an iron in the room I hadn't used it for years until I dug it out to use for quilting classes. I rarely use it there however given than someone usually has an iron that is already set up and multiple people use it. The classes I've taken at a quilt shop always have had an iron provided.

Best of all - it was only $8 ! (I love the classic look too, and this was too cute to pass on!)

Thanks for all the advice. I am going to a retreat with a group of friends and we will have room to plug in our irons, although one of the ladies is bringing a full size iron and we can probably all share that one. I am also taking a class through a guild, and we have been asked to bring small irons. It does seem that if everyone has an iron there will be too big a draw on the power, so probably we won't all be able to use them at once. And I did find a very, very old travel iron that still works. I probably bought it in the 1980's. The only problem with it is that the cord drags across the fabric if you're pressing anything bigger than a block. But maybe it's the best solution for now, rather than buying yet another thing that will seldom get used.