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need a new iron recommendations needed
Sharon Rose   Advanced IN USA Member since 3/10/11 Posts: 98	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/1/12 3:12 PM My Rowenta just gave up the cause. Guess this is a good time to explore its replacement since there are so many sales currently for Christmas. What do you recommend and why? I use my iron for general sewing and for quilting. And I also use an iron for laundry...( yes, there are some who think I am crazy, but guess that reflects my midwest, small town upbringing.) Anyway, I need to buy a new iron and would appreciate any comments and recommendations yu'all could give me.
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 7/25/08 Posts: 2271	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/1/12 3:42 PM Don't worry about Steam features, I've never had one that didn't burn fingers when getting into small spots. I prefer to keep a large spray water bottle nearby for clothing and sewing. Also had pricey no-cord rechargeable, which didn't hold heat long enough. I do not like the heavy ones, or overly large without fine tips to get into seams. My B&D is fine now, just starting to wear off teflon coating after several years of heavy use.
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 4/1/08 Posts: 4390	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sharon Rose << Like this post Date: 12/1/12 4:17 PM I would recommend that you do not buy the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week edition of the Rowenta iron. It is good for a door stop only! Huge for the amount of actual ironing surface. The handle is too large in diameter so the angle of the hand and wrist are not comfortable. The dial is strange; it is hard to know if it is on or off. It is supposed to shut down automatically so sometimes I have to dial to off and then dial back to on. Often it seems it doesn't 'get' the message and I have to repeat the process. And, the settings don't seem to mean anything. Can you tell that I have been kicking myself for not checking it during the return period? I have not tried the steam. I prefer a spray bottle with a stout stream of finely misted spray. Why do all these things aggravate me so much? The bloomin' thing doesn't get hot! Hubbie occasionally irons a shirt and he agrees. This week I got disgusted and pulled out the bargain basket estate auction iron that I purchased to repair vinyl flooring. It is an ancient GE iron. About as heavy as the Rowenta, about 2/3's the size, with almost the same amount of ironing surface area. The old phenolic handle is a sensible diameter. No fancy cushy covering, just a straightforward handle that is easy to grip and to use to manipulate the iron. Hot means hot and cool means cool. Each setting is exactly the right temperature. I was just about beating the wool scarves that I made last week with the Rowenta to try to get a nice press and edge. The stupid iron would not even dry the sprayed on mist that I typically use when pressing fabric. That's when I gave up and pulled out the other iron. And, yes, it has been used a lot for vinyl flooring repair and other garage type chores. The beautiful old iron totally changed the appearance and feel of those wool (with a bit of Lycra) winter scarves. I would have been embarassed to have sent them off with the Rowenta pressing and had even considered taking them to the cleaners for a decent pressing before I remembered the old GE. I'm boxing that Rowenta up and sending it back just to vent my aggravation. They can have it. Then I am going to search out another old GE or Sunbeam from a thrift shop. ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.
SouthernStitch   Advanced LA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 8182	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 12/1/12 5:04 PM I really like my Reliable V 100 iron. You can bypass the auto shut off. It's heavy, which is good for when I want to sit and press. I don't Ned to stand to get the pressure needed for interfacing. It allows you to fill it back up with water while its hot. ------ Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE Singer 221 FW, 403a When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
CM_Sews Intermediate CA USA Member since 9/18/04 Posts: 1476	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 12/1/12 5:12 PM If you are looking for a new "old" style iron, take a look at the Vermont Country Store: Dry Iron (no steam vents) $29.95 Classic Steam Iron $39.95 CMC
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 7/25/08 Posts: 2271	Login to reply to this post In reply to a7yrstitch << Like this post Date: 12/1/12 5:25 PM You reminded me of watching the neighborhood everyone's Grandma when I was a kid. She put her flatiron on her wood-burning stove-top, heated that baby up, and super-pressed her dish towels, pillowcases, and aprons to a fine crispness! Oldies were certainly of higher quality and simpler efficiency then today's throw-aways (in many things.) Just think of how the original principle of the SM hasn't changed.
Sharon Rose   Advanced IN USA Member since 3/10/11 Posts: 98	Login to reply to this post In reply to a7yrstitch << Like this post Date: 12/1/12 11:15 PM a7yrstitch, I am sorry you have had such a bad experience with your Rowenta iron. They are expensive and one expects better. When I originally purchased my Rowenta, I had hoped to get a superior iron that would last me. It is 10 years old and has served me well, but not any better than the Proctor Silex I had before I purchsed the Rowenta. My husband took the Rowenta apart today to see if he could fix it. The water tank is plastic and has eroded on both sides. When I went on line to see if I could replace the tank, I found it was no longer available. Another example of our "throw away" culture I guess. That's why I turned to this site to see if anyone had a good suggestion for a replacement iron. I appreciate all of your comments.
Carol Mendoza   Intermediate LA USA Member since 5/1/06 Posts: 447	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sharon Rose << Like this post Date: 12/1/12 11:31 PM I just bought a new iron and I purchased the Oliso from the Houston Quilt show. I've been using it for about 3 weeks now and it works just fine. I had the Europro Vacuum table and iron that was gravity fed. It was a truely fantastic duo...but the iron started dripping rust so out it went. Unfortunately the vacuum part will not work without the other part being turned on so I can't use it with the new iron. I've also had the Reliable too and it worked OK, but mine was the older one where you weren't able to overide the auto shut off. Here is the link for the Oliso ------ Bernina 730E; 440QE; Vintage 121; Babylock Imagine; Janome 900 Coverstitch
nitsel   Intermediate AR Member since 12/25/11 Posts: 95	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 12/2/12 1:00 AM I have a Reliable Digital Velocity iron that I love. It was expensive (about $130, I think), but has been worth it for me. I do alterations and so I need to press all types of fabric. It has four heat settings, and will produce steam even on the lowest setting. It has never dripped or spit, and you can bypass the auto shut-off. It is a heavy iron, but is comfortable to hold. I also iron my husband's shirts (should I admit to that??) and it does a good job of that, too.
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6765	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sharon Rose << 1 member likes this. Date: 12/2/12 3:07 AM Have you tried a gravity feed iron? ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.

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