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Member since 11/12/05
Posts: 325
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Posted on: 10/9/12 3:24 PM ET
My Rowenta I've had for 15 years is starting to leak alot when it heats up, so I'm looking for a new iron.

I like to quilt so I was wanting to know: what irons are good for quilting?

I saw the blue Oliso at a quilt shop and thought it was neat, but has anyone else had experience with Oliso?

Also, I thought that steam is needed for piecing, is this true? (Thus I need an iron with steam?)

Thank you!
  
Member since 12/15/02
Posts: 8690
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Posted on: 10/9/12 4:03 PM ET
I've have found just a regular $20 iron will pretty much do the trick. My must haves: auto off and good steam. I've brought a few expensive irons and wasn't happy with them at all.
  
Member since 4/19/11
Posts: 156
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Posted on: 10/9/12 4:25 PM ET
I have an Oliso, and it's blue. I love my iron. It steams really well and per the instructions, I just use regular tap water (I'm not sure why it said not to use distilled, but it's much more convenient this way). I get frustrated with the irons where I take classes because they aren't nearly as effective as mine.
  
Member since 9/14/07
Posts: 742
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Posted on: 10/9/12 4:43 PM ET
I have the yellow Professional Oliso which has an extended time before auto off for quilters. I really like it and have had it for about a year without problems.
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Elna Excellence 740, Pfaff Performance 5.2, Elna EasyCover, Babylock Enlighten, Babylock Meridian, Singer Treadle, Singer 66, Singer 99, Bernina 440

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Member since 10/22/10
Posts: 1204
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Posted on: 10/9/12 4:53 PM ET
In reply to quiltingwolf
Quote: quiltingwolf
I've have found just a regular $20 iron will pretty much do the trick. My must haves: auto off and good steam. I've brought a few expensive irons and wasn't happy with them at all.

Indeed. I have a classic $25 Sunbeam steam iron and find it works very well. Interestingly enough the LQS ladies have about 6 almost identical ones in their basement. I've had mine for... 4 years now? My mom had a very expensive Rowenta iron, but she says she likes my basic inexpensive one better. Go figure.
  
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Member since 7/1/08
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Posted on: 10/9/12 6:36 PM ET
My Black and Decker steam iron is the best. It is relatively heavy, steams profusely, heats up quickly- and is well over 30 years old. I bought an expensive name brand one a few years ago thinking there must have been improvements in that time - nope. At quilt studios and conferences I've used every fancy iron or steaming system made- and none are better than my $15 iron- although I'm sure it would cost more than that to replace it now.

Water turns to steam at 212F no matter which iron you have or how much it costs. If I need specific steam in an area I mist it first and then press.
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Sewing: A creative mess is better than tidy idleness. ~Author Unknown
  
Member since 12/15/02
Posts: 8690
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Posted on: 10/9/12 8:39 PM ET
In reply to AminaHijabi
We have a sunbeam that my husband uses. It's got to be at least 15 years old. It's even had sprite poured in it by accident (he thought it was water).
  
Member since 6/14/12
Posts: 160
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Posted on: 10/9/12 8:56 PM ET
I have a vintage GE steam/dry iron, and a Reliable V100 that do well, but I really love my Shark G1568 iron.

I like the Shark so well, I bought a second one to have as a backup.
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Six Elna Lotus/Stella sm [kid's sewing classes]
Elna 33C SP sm, Pfaff 1473 CD sm, Viking 6030 sm, Singer Sphinx 127 sm, Singer Lotus 127 sm, Bernina 830 Record, Nelco J A-38 sm, Necchi Lelia 515 sm
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Member since 11/25/11
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Posted on: 10/9/12 10:07 PM ET
Since I like to keep my iron on while I sew for extended periods, the auto-off feature drives me nuts. Also, every steam iron I've ever bought in my life has dribbled, leaked and stained my fabric. Now, I just don't ever put water in them. I am much happier using a water sprayer I bought in the cosmetic aisle at WallyWorld. I can add whatever I like to it (like starch or white vinegar to set creases) and control how much moisture and where it lands. Next time I buy, I hope to get a dry iron with a stainless steel sole, but they are hard to find.
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Measure twice, cut once. While this saying is useful in many ways, I have no qualms about editing my posts.
  
Member since 10/4/04
Posts: 525
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Posted on: 10/10/12 9:05 AM ET
Steam can be both a help and a hinderance in quilting/piecing. Steam can be used to block the finished block to the correct dimensions if a tad off, but can also distort units and blocks if used improperly.

I have a couple of irons that I use to press, not iron, when piecing, and my favorite is my old trusty Rowenta Professional. Sometimes I use it dry. Favor irons with a stainless soleplate and plenty of holes to release lots of steam when I want it.

A quiltshop where I take classes regularly does not allow water in their Shark irons and so provides spray bottles for spritzing if one desires. That's to avoid any possibility of hard water staining anyone's work. I like the irons that they provide, and would consider one when I need a new iron.

To press seams nice and flat with no extra little bits of fabric with the turn of seams, you will also need a firm rather than poufy ironing surface. The more firm, the more crisp your seams will be. To me, the ironing surface is just as important as the iron.

  
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