Choosing the Right Iron for Sewing and Quilting
Sewing and quilting projects require a lot of pressing, so having the right iron is very important to achieving a professional finish. A good iron will make your work faster, easier and more efficient. But with so many options available, how do you choose the best and most reliable quilting irons?
Here are some factors to consider when selecting an iron:
- Heat Settings: A good iron should have a range of heat settings so you can adjust the temperature to suit different fabrics. A temperature control dial or digital display makes it easy to choose the right heat setting.
- Steam Control: A good iron should have a steam control feature. This will help you control the amount of steam you need to get rid of wrinkles and creases in your fabric. Some sewists choose not to use steam at all. Many believe that never using the water chamber of the iron prolongs the life of the iron. Instead, they use starch, starch alternative, or simply a spray bottle of water.
- Size and Weight: Consider the size and weight of the iron. An iron that is too heavy or bulky can be difficult to maneuver, especially when working on large projects. A lightweight iron might be more manageable for some sewists.
- Soleplate Material: The soleplate is the bottom part of the iron that comes into contact with the fabric. The best materials for soleplates are ceramic, stainless steel or titanium. These materials are smooth, durable and conduct heat evenly, which helps prevent scorching or damage to your fabric.
- Auto-Shutoff Feature: This feature is a fun little safety feature (obviously invented by a genius!) that automatically turns off the iron after a set amount of time if it is left unattended. This is especially important for those who frequently forget to turn off their iron. (Who can relate?)
- Price: Irons range in price from under $20 to over $200. Determine how much you are willing to spend and look for an iron with the features you need in your price range.
Do you love your iron?
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewer, having the right iron can make all the difference in your projects. If you’re shopping for a new iron, Missouri Star has a great selection. (Click here.) Some sewists claim that a great iron is more important than a great sewing machine. What do you think? We would love to hear what kind of iron you have and why you love it! Click below to add a comment!
5 years ago at a quilt show, I saw an Euro Steam iron demonstrated. So impressed I bought one. It has no settings yet went from cotton to silk to chiffon to rayon to nylon with no issues. It is a boiler system, lots of steam if you need it. Love this iron, it has been a real workhorse.
I have been sewing for over 60 years. I have used many iron in all those years, but never have I had an iron that I like more than my Euro Steam. I own and run a bridal shop. It is wonderful on the most delicate fabrics. I press all of the gowns before they go out for the weddings. I also have one at home and I mostly use it on my husbands white shirts. I can zip through all of his shirts in about 20 minutes and they look like they have been done professionally. I keep one in reserve in case one of them has a problem. I know that this sounds like I am addicted…I guess that I am!
I’ve been using Rowena irons for years after finding them at fabric stores & replacing cheaper irons every couple of months. It’s a good brand but very heavy & adding the right amount of water is a challenge since you can’t see thru the tinted water chamber without a flashlight. Looking to upgrade.
I had a Rowenta iron that failed, totally failed, way beyond repairable. Being a machinist and an electrical guy having designed a couple of electronic, devices considerably more complex than an iron, that were distributed across the United States and Europe meeting all the rigorous electrical codes in every country. 4500 units shipped and no failures were ever reported. That was about 40 years ago. So I decided to take the iron apart. To make a long story short and bypass all the critical analysis processes, it was a complete piece of junk and I believe I am qualified to make that statement.
I drop my iron off the ironing board at least once a year, so that iron will always be a cheapo. Also a Vin-Max puff iron, Clover mini craft iron and Steamfast steam press.
My iron is a sharkh been a good one but it’s old and when go yo iron now the water starts dripping or just running out of the holes. I don’t over fill it so I’m thinking I need a new one. Just don’t know which one to get.