Whom uses a small mini iron?
 

I am having a hard time pressing precisely with my big beautiful Rowenta especially for small pieces like Dresden blades.
Are those cute mini iron effective or is it just a toy????
Let me know please before I screaaaaaaammmmmm at my Iron!!!!!!:mad: if not I will have to take up knitting instead;)

I have two. One is the Clover Wedge iron. I like it a lot. I have the SteamFast and it has a steam feature. Both are very good little irons. They are not tiny but small.

I was referring to the Clover Mini Iron as seen here from Amazon:[ATTACH=CONFIG]553480[/ATTACH]

I have one - bought it about 8 years ago. It was not something I really care for, I don't do appliqué very often. Went so far as to give it to a friend, she didn't like it and gave it back to me. It is not a toy and you are better off if you get it, find a stand for it. The one they have on it doesn't work well.

I have the mini clover one too. I have burnt my fingers too many times using it. Not worth the pain.

You might want to use the strip sticks instead of changing irons. I tried one out at a recent class, and it made the job of pressing seams that are surrounded by other seams much easier. I ordered one of each size and they just arrived today. http://www.thestripstick.com/ I got mine from Nancy's Notions.

I have tried the Clover mini iron at quilt retreats and I always end up burning myself (I'm a klutz). I use a Black and Decker Travel Iron Pro for all my quilting work except when ironing yards of fabric. I bought it used at a yard sale about 3 years ago. It is small, has a nice point, light weight, steams and gets as hot as my big iron. The ironing surface plate is 7" long and 3 1/2" wide at the mid point. I am terrible about knocking irons onto the floor and breaking them. This one has ended up on the floor many, many times but still works and doesn't leak. There are lots of them on sale on Ebay for less than $15 (type in Black and Decker travel iron).

I use the clover mini iron all the time when I quilt as you go, to get in there and press seams when I am joining large quilted sections and I need to get in there behind the batting. But you have to make your own sturdy stand because the one on the market tip over and everything burns. That i the ony time i use the mini iron. I use the other small iron to do applique, and I made my own seam stick and large iron for everything else (see my blog here named: I Made a Quilter's Tailor's Ham )

I have the one you showed a picture of-- use it a lot! It gets good & hot & works great for applique, stained glass & small piece pressing. I have a small ironing board that fits on my sewing table next to my machine & can set up with my iron right next to my machine. I've been using that iron for about 12 years. :)

I just got the Clover Wedge last month and am so glad I did. It is 800 watts, no slouch. And the pointed tip enables pressing in a corner underneath another seam.

I have both the Steamfast and the larger Clover mini. The Clover mini was great for pressing heirloom sewing and doll clothes. I've used it to hold down glue basting, but found that the little Steamfast did better as it had steam.

Sits by the machine on an ironing clamp on table.

I have a Clover II mini iron. It comes with a small sole plate, but they sell a larger sized one online. I love, love, love mine. I use it all the time with applique & for seams because I used to burn my fingers a lot with full sized iron. I love the wand -- very easy to use. I also keep a 3 oz spray bottle with it in case I need a bit of steam.

I've had mine for over a year & so far the only negative I've found is that the barrel gets discolored (they even note that in the instructions). Also, I've heard (and found to be true in my case) that the first time or two that you use it, it helps to run it on high heat. Otherwise, it might not ever get hot enough. It took me about 10 days to find that out, but once I did that, I have had nothing but perfection from it.

I have used the clover mini iron. it is not toy as it gets really hot and if you are klutzy it is easy to accidentally burn yourself by grabbing it wrong and I have the mini-iron 2 with the guard and still accidentally grabbed wrong. It does work though and is nice for what it does. I know people are raving about the wedge iron

I have the clover mini iron but don't use it much. I have the Rowenta travel iron and it works well for small areas and I don't burn myself.

i use my rowenta on large works, i use a mini travel iron (2$ @ estate sale :thumbup:) mostly because weight of rowenta or any full size iron is too much for my arthritic hands. i also bought the mini clover iron years ago. i love it. i then bought all the extra implements. i do lots of very small or miniature piecing. on a almost full sized quilt for friend several years ago my mini iron was the only iron i have that made pressing the finished top of 2" finished squares doable. get one! for small or tricky pieces like your dresden ...it's fantastic!!

When I use my clover iron I put it in either a pint mason jar or an old coffee mug. Very easy to use and don't have to worry about if falling off that dinky little holder they provide.

If it is something small, I do finger press with my fingernails or use that wooden tool EB calls a wooden iron. I too have a big Rowenta iron that I love.

I have a small American Tourister travel iron that my husband used to use and it works wonderful. It steams and is terrific for pressing appliques and small blocks...a small iron is well worth the investment if you do a lot of small items or appliques..

I have a Clover wedge, don't use it much as I find it just doesn't get very hot. Maybe there's something wrong with it.

I can't say enough good things about this iron, purchased from Amazon - I have not used the steam feature. I do not care for the Clover iron - burnt my fingers too many times to mention - have NEVER done this with the Steamfast.



Steamfast SF-717 Home-and-Away Mini Steam Iron
by Steamfast
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,027 customer reviews
| 67 answered questions
Price: $34.99 & FREE Shipping on orders over $49. Details
In Stock.
Sold by HOUSEWARES and Fulfilled by Amazon. Gift-wrap available.

420-watt mini steam iron removes wrinkles from almost any fabric
1.4-ounce water tank; heats up in 15 seconds; variable temperature settings
Non-stick soleplate; 1-touch steam control; dual voltage for travel convenience
Travel bag and plastic measuring cup included
Measures approximately 5.2 x 3 x 3.1 inches; 1-year limited warranty

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That's the one I have and like it for PP and small squares. The holder is not good so I use the handle of a heavy coffee mug and the mug for seam ripper, etc.

I also have the Clover and use it more than I thought. So many times my large iron messes up another seam I've just pressed. My small iron doesn't do that.

I put my Clover iron in a coffee mug too. It gets really hot, and I like to use it when I'm freezer-paper piecing.

It's also handy to use when I need to iron my binding but don't want to iron the quilt. I don't like to flatten my quilting, and sometimes there is blue marker that would heat set if ironed.

I keep it on my ironing board with my big iron. I only turn it on if I intend to use it, and it heats up quickly.

I have the Clover Mini and never use it. It is to easy to burn yourself and boy does that hurt. Ask me how I know.

I have one but rarely use it - was good when I was making doll clothes. I love the Clover Wedge - hesitated to buy it because of the cost - did get it on sale eventually - happy I did and mine gets plenty hot. Try to borrow so you can see what works for you. Happy pressing.

I have the Clover mini iron, and I love it when I paper piece. I have a wooden stand for it. Let me tell you it gets really hot. You must have a stand for it, or you could easily burn something very bad. I use it all the time in paper piecing.

I have the clover mini iron and HATE it. I burned myself on it several times before I finally quit using it. I think it's poorly designed - for ME, at least.

I got the Dritz Petite Press and loved it so much, I bought a backup for myself and a couple for friends.

It has 4 heat settings and gets very hot on the highest one. It has an adjustable head, so you can adjust it for your comfort level. It has a sturdy stand. It has an auto shut-off at 60 minutes, which is WAY more generous than most irons.

You can purchase it at Joann's, and the good news is they consider it a "notion" and NOT an "iron", so when they put their "notions" wall on sale, guess what. The discount applies! :D

demonstration

I found that, too with the Wedge, and it takes a while to get there. But I did find there is a "sweet" spot in the center of the iron that does get very hot. Still, I'd go for one with steam next time. Glad to have all these comments.

Like many, I gave up using the Clover mini - takes too long to heat up and just not quite big enough.

I use mine on applique pieces that have fusible on the back. I've also used it to trim off organdy/organza around fabric paper doll clothes. I place mine in a tall coffee mug when in use and to store it. I have used it to press seams open. It covers small areas that other small irons are too big to use.

I agree. I found myself pushing down on it and burning my forefinger on the arm. Better to get a lightweight iron like the travel Rowenta or the Clover.

This is how I use my Clover iron too. And I either read or heard someone say that it takes a few times of using before it will get really hot and I found that to be true. I love it for stitch & flip blocks and paper piecing projects.

I have a small iron, which is a travel iron. It serves my purposes well.
When I started out looking for on, I asked for a mini-iron; couldn't fine one in the stores or on-line.
I happened into Wal-Mart and described what I wanted-again. The girl showed me the travei iron, and it is wonderful.
She said they don't always have them, so guess it was my "Lucky Day!" It wasn't very expensive--$10.00 or so. That was about 10 yrs. ago. It does steam and dry both.
Good luck!!
Mariah

The tiny one is only good for applique imo
i have lots of little ones for class and they are great...I have the small purple Rowenta, a small clover and some vintage ones...nice to use when you are tired of the heavy ones

I have one and like it for small pieces.

I use my mini Clover all the time especially when I paper piece and appliqué.

I do PPing and absolutely love it for that.......

I have a small iron made by Conair. It is also a steam iron. My DH made a miniature ironing board (which I covered) and decorated. It sits beside my my sewing machine just for that purpose.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]553565[/ATTACH]

I believe the board is about 15" long and 7 1/2" wide. It has a handle so I can take it to classes. I love this little iron and board.

I always use the clover mini iron when I raw edge applique. They are no toy! Darn hot.

I use a ceramic coffee mug to hold the hot iron. Works great.

My neighbor uses a metal business card holder for her clover iron. I have the silicone iron pads.