Okay, the fancy Panasonic cordless iron works great. But I want something I can leave on my little tv-stand of an ironing board surface.
My mini Steamfast died, although I realized I bought it 2-1/2 yrs ago so maybe that's good.
My request is for a recommendation for a small, lightweight iron. doesn't need to be a portable. I don't want a heavy thing; don't need a Rowenta; don't need one of those things that looks like it's connected to an IV; don't need the ones that float! Nothing fancy. I really prefer that it NOT turn off automatically. that drives me NUTS.
And to entice you to give me your thoughts, I'll offer a GIVEAWAY of a book to a name drawn on Thursday of those who make suggestions!!!
How's that for motivation???
I can tell you what not to get :-) Those cute little colored ones that are all wrapped in plastic and are quite small and inexpensive. I saw one at a craft show for around $13 and thought it would be great-- the cord doesn't stay in it! Next I went to the travel section of Target and found a small steam one~ works great! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI have a small GE iron with no frills that I love. I have a friend who found one at a thrift shop that is a dry only iron that I would love to have as I don't use steam for quilting. Mine has steam but I am on the prowl for one like my friend's
ReplyDeleteI have a small/mini iron (in addition to the clover iron that I use for applique). It has about a 4 x 2 x 2" base, and an 8-foot cord.
ReplyDeleteI googled and found several varieties --
TULIP:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/I-Love-To-Create-Tulip-Mini-Fashion-Iron/24458650
CONAIR:
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/10506678156281126279
SINGER:
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/9837116890838875288
ALLSTITCH:
http://www.allstitch.net/product/mini-craft-iron-2226.cfm
I'm pretty sure mine is a generic similar to the ALLSTITCH. I use mine as a 'dryiron' ... I have never put water in it; however, I will sprtiz the fabric with starch/best press.
Yep! That is motivation! Unfortunately I don't have one :^(
ReplyDeleteI had the same iron for many many years. It's a Black n Decker. The self cleaning thing doesn't work anymore but with all the falls this thing took (three boys in the house) I am surprise it still works at ALL. It has steam and spray. Nothing else! I really don't regret my investment of 25 Canadian $$! ;^) Hope you find something you really like. Don't settle for second best.
That's really good motivation but I've been using the same travel iron for years. It's a Sunbeam and I've always had good luck with that brand. Besides, they are cheap and if they die after a year or two at least I got my money's worth. Good Luck on finding one that you like. Rina
ReplyDeleteI use a rowenta travel iron and love it. No auto shut off and plenty hot. My first one was a factory refurbished and after it died I used a coupon at Jo Ann Fabrics.
ReplyDeleteLove, love my Rowenta travel iron also. Highly recommend it!
ReplyDeleteI got my Sunbeam Travel Iron from Target on Bonnie Hunter's suggestion. It is lightweight, stays HOT and the price was less than $15. Win Win for me! The grip fits nicely in my hand. It is blue and white.
ReplyDeleteLove Roenta
ReplyDeleteDo NOT, NOT, NOT get the Rowenta travel iron ... had one for 2-3 years and LOVED it ... until it caught fire (yes, sparks and flames) while I was sitting at my sewing machine earlier this summer. Scared the living Bejesus outta me. Still looking for a small replacement myself. Will benefit from your search results but it will NOT be another Rowenta.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I hate to say it, the Rowenta travel iron is probably the best small iron out there. It never turns off, gets very hot, and produces lots of steam. The down side is that they tend to die with no warning--especially if it's the only iron you bring along to a retreat. My last two did exactly that. I have heard that the company doesn't stand behind their travel irons and say that they aren't meant to be plugged in for hours on end, so I have vowed never to buy another. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a good replacement out there, so I may be eating my words--lol!
ReplyDeleteI am finally catching up on my blog reading! My have you been busy with your stars and charity quilts! Not to mention the quilt shows! Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL quilts you have seen! OK, here is my suggestion for your iron.........The Steamfast model sf-717. Completely portable......stays very hot, and is at a nice price point.
ReplyDeleteRandy, I use a Black and Decker white steam iron (although I don't use the steam), $10.99! I had a heavy B & D stainless iron (c1960) for years and I loved it but could never find a replacement that I liked, plus as I get older I find the heaviness is not such a good thing for my wrist. Since then I have tried every iron under the sun and I find this lightweight B&D iron to work the best for me. Since they are so inexpensive, I buy two at a time. They last about two years (although I am currently on year 3 with this one) and when it goes I have a backup ready to go. Good luck in your quest!
ReplyDeleteFor small and light, I like my little Conair.
ReplyDeleteFor home, I like the Black and Decker 400 series, still relatively small and features an on/off switch. These are no longer being made so one has to haunt the thrift stores for one. There's nothing like a good "old" iron!
Bonnie Hunter recommended this one not too long ago
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DTHPEQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_10&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
SteamFast SF 717
I have an old cheap one, I think it's a Black and Decker, but I'm not sure. It's lasted a long time. The one tip that I got, I think from Butterfly Threads, is to NOT use the spray and steam functions, but to spray with a bottle, and then your iron will last forever. :) sarah@forrussia.org
ReplyDeleteThe Rowenta travel iron does get hot, love the weight and it has a nice point. I've had 4 and the last two started steaming and crackling even though there wasn't any water in it. Rowenta Customer Service said it's a travel iron and not intended to be turned on for more than 30 minutes at a time. Be aware if you buy this iron!
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion is to look for a used older iron. I have an iron that is at least 30 years old, it works great, isn't to heavy, and doesn't turn off by itself. I know I'm not a lot of help, but I have looked at new irons, and I'm not impressed. dawnm1993(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI would recommend the SteamFast SF-717 Home-and-Away Mini Steam Iron and it can be found on Amazon, currently priced at $24.97! I saw another blogger posting about it, so I ordered one and just love it! It's small enough to sit next to my sewing machine and doesn't turn off automatically!
ReplyDeleteI have a small Black and Decker, cheap, not very big, does steam if you want. I use it all the time and have had no problems with it. My Rowenta if I may say was horrible and for the price I paid for it, I wasn't a happy sewer, when it quit on me.
ReplyDeleteA Rowenta Travel Iron is a good one but not cheap. I bought the one Bonnie Hunter suggested for travel and it is OK but I don't like the cord. I like my old fashioned no steam Dry Iron from the Vermont Country Store now it's $30. Worth it in my book. There is of course the Steam fast usually $20 at Craftsy and the girls at the Guild love it. Right now Ollies has 2 Rowentas pretty reasonable. It is really a matter of taste. I like a hot, light weight iron, bad shoulders. I don't need steam. I have a spray bottle of water.
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI read yesterday's comments before going to my Tuesday volunteer gig. On my list for the way home I had Target on it to buy the Sunbeam travel iron that someone commented on. I stopped before I got to Target at a thrift store. Guess what I found? A GE travel iron, no steam, and it worked! It's got the old woven cord covering and it doesn't turn off automatically.
I haunt thrift stores looking for irons and haven't found but one, now two.
I just saw that Clover has come out with a mini iron that seems to be a little powerhouse.
ReplyDelete