How to Choose an Iron

Find out how to choose the best iron for quilting. You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good iron that will work well for quilting. In this video, Kim explains the features you should look for in a good quilting iron.
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🎤 Mentioned in this video 🎤
Acorn Precision Piecing Products Starter Set (includes Easy Press solution, Seam Align Glue and applicators)
amzn.to/3v3JiT6 (US site)
Not available on Amazon Canada - check with your local quilt shop
Dritz Iron off cleaner
amzn.to/3wKc5jg (US website)
amzn.to/3R4BNqM (Canadian website)
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Items I use and recommend:
Martelli Palm Quilting Paddle Set
amzn.to/3qvChbP (US site)
amzn.to/3fU7MK3 (Canadian site)
Martelli Ergo 2000 Rotary Cutter 60mm
amzn.to/3iobeyi (US site)
amzn.to/3w2ftUe (Canadian site)
Martelli 26” x 38” self-healing cutting mat
amzn.to/3iheT0K (US site)
amzn.to/3vXNogP (Canadian site)
Sew Slip II
amzn.to/3nORAur (US site)
amzn.to/3nvmo4D (Canadian site)
SuperB polyester thread from SuperPunch - other colours available
amzn.to/3hGLRY0 (US site)
amzn.to/3fxDXxq (Canadian site)
Acorn Precision Piecing Products Starter Set (includes Easy Press solution, Seam Align Glue and applicators)
amzn.to/3v3JiT6 (US site)
Not available on Amazon Canada - check with your local quilt shop
Take a look at my curated list of other notions, books, and quilting goodies I like: kit.co/Chatterboxquilts
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HAVE QUESTIONS? Feel free to email me at [e-mail].

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

Thank you Kim. I am looking to buy an iron for the cottage. Of course if an Oliso fell into my hands I would keep it but……I cannot afford one. Nice to know that I don’t have to spend that kind of money to get a good one. Those quilting ladies sure like to show off their expensive goodies but not all of us swim in cash! As ever, a very good video.

[@francesschireson-dody1516]

You previously recommended a cordless iron. I went right out and purchased it. I really liked the cordless aspect. I thought that I would also like that it could iron into points on both ends. But I found I only went one way into points. What made me put that iron into a cupboard was that it is extremely difficult for me to put back into the stand and for some reason, my habits of standing the iron up were so difficult to break that I just gave up. I think this recommendation is way better for old folks whose habits are deeply ingrained in muscle memory. I love your show, your teaching style, and your joy of life.

[@lucindaschafer]

I have the Panasonic cordless with one point and love it!

[@bethkoch11]

It's interesting to see all the different opinions there are out there about such a simple thing as an iron. For years I used steam, and for several reasons (including short life-span of a couple of expensive irons, as well as distortion of fabric), I have switched to 100% no steam in my Rowenta iron. If needed, I use a mister with just water in it to get those seams really flat, and I see no distortion. It took me a long time to evolve to this point, but I'm very happy with my position on no-steam.

[@chrisklest1238]

What model Rowenta Iron do you have? I am having a hard time filtering for dry irons; all of these steam irons keep showing up in the search results. Also, do you use the dry iron for regular clothing and dress clothes or only for quilts?

[@barbarahillegass2135]

Excellent suggestions. Thank you❣️ Many to chose from. Happy quilting!

[@karenbrownson4589]

I had the same trouble with the Continental. I found a great alternative at Vermont Country Store. Has held up well for 2-3 years.

[@pamstrong8709]

Thanks for the tip on the Vermont Country Store. Did the iron you bought from them have the auto-shutoff feature?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

And now I have another online site to shop from! Have never heard of them but OMG, loving some of their items.

[@HunterDeuling]

Impressed I also use a Philips cheap €30 iron. Gets too hot. But have been using for years. The expensive and speciality irons i have purchased have only last around a year or so

[@chrisklest1238]

Would you use a dry iron for men's dress shirts, dress pants and jeans or are you specifically talking about it from a quilt perspective?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

I prefer to use steam when "ironing" clothes and yes, I'm definitely talking about irons from a quilting perspective as that's when I mostly use an iron.

[@lindadenton7431]

can you use the easy press in a spray bottle? Also it is the same thing to use in the acorn pen? love your videos

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Yes, you definitely can and I have resorted to this with a half litre bottle so it holds quite a bit. Sometimes the spray bottles that are for plants have adjustable nozzles and these work very well. And yes, it is Easy Press solution that you put in the pen - it has replaceable nibs too. Thanks for watching!

[@nancymiller349]

I don't know if this is the case with you but I learned the hard way. You said that that iron didn't last a year or something to that effect. And I don't know how you used it but I found out that using an extension cord is the culprit. All irons should be plugged directly into the wall. I don't know why that is so I really can't explain it but I had a problem with a particular iron which I will not mention and I went through three of them and very short periods of time. Mine happened to be a steam so I did use water in it and found out I did that the wrong way too. It says in the instructions only to use tap water and hey at 68 who knew I had to read instructions to use an iron? However, on the extension cord issue, like I said I can't explain it but I was told by a couple of manufacturers and one of the irons that I have purchased in the past actually had that in the directions do not use an extension cord. Could that be your problem? I mean I had irons that lasted for years and years and years and years and years and then the ones that burnt out real quick. I thought hard about it and it turns out the ones that lasted the longest were the ones that were plugged directly into the wall.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Well I do use an extension cord for all my irons but maybe I'll try plugging them directly into the wall to see if that extends the life - when I buy a new one. Thanks for the info!

[@rld1278]

I wonder if it's the gauge of the extension cord and the watts or volts it's rated for. Like with an electric heater, because they pull so much juice, they can cause a fire with an under gauged cord and it's never recommended for use. It's the same with power tools, sometimes they are rated too low for the tool. Could this be causing malfunctions in the iron? I would check in a hardware store for which guage of cord would be needed for your iron if you have to have one.

[@chrisklest1238]

Agreed. You can use a mile of extension cord, given it has a large enough gauge wire to prevent voltage drop.@@rld1278

[@LisaLisa-zl9vu]

I know quilters don't like this, but my iron has to have automatic shut off. It's just for piece of mind although i'm diligent to unplug them.