romanojg

I have two irons that I use; both of them between 15 and 25 to 30 each. The one that I have had the longest I use by the sewing machine and I like it because when I'm doing alot of piecing it doesn't shut itself off. I keep that one plugged into my serge protector and I switch it off when I'm done sewing so I don't have to worry about any fires. The other one has auto off and I use it on my cutting table. I have a piece of thin backer board covered with batting and cheap muslin (use to be a small design wall before I made a big one) and I put it on when I'm doing big pieces. I know it'll shut it self off so I don't have to worry about it. I've often wondered how those irons that automatically lift themselves up when you sit them down perform and the price but until I feel I can afford to look my cheap irons work well and one is really old.

FroggyinTexas

Several people on the board have complained about Rowenta leaks, but mine (made in Germany) has been wonderful. I also love my Wal Mart acquisition, which is probably 10 years old, is a GE.

Grambi

I bought a Rowenta awhile back and my quilting teacher at the time told me that it was probably not worth the money. She suggested going to Wallmart and getting a GE steam iron with a retractable cord for less that $30. So I bought the GE and did a side-by-side comparison of the two irons. I compared them with and without steam, on quilting cotton, on poly/cotton blends and on wrinkled denim. In my little test the Rowenta did not perform any better than the GE so I returned it.

Sadly, my trusty little GE iron committed suicide by diving off the ironing board onto a concrete floor. I couldn't find one like it, so I bought a different brand with a retractable cord, also at Walmart. I think it's a Black & Decker (it is black) and it seems to work as well as my GE. It was also under $30. One issue with it is that when the water reservoir is full or almost full the water splashes back out a little when you set it upright abruptly after ironing. But the water is not hot enough to hurt (even when the iron is on the highest setting) so it is an inconvenience but not a returnable offence (for me).

Grambi

Sadly, the old and true were probably made much better than the new junk on the market.

MrsGuava

I have a Black and Decker from Walmart. It is a steam iron and you can see how much water is in it. It has auto shut off. It was about $20.
I also used my half off online Joanne coupon to get the deluxe mini craft iron.

QuiltinDirksen

I've had a Black and Decker for several years. It doesn't leak, has auto-shut-off, my only complaint is that it is difficult to push the button on the handle for reaching your setting, also if you decide to turn it off instead of the auto-off you have to unplug it, no switch. Good luck and Happy Birthday!

NC Bon

I have a Rowenta that also is leaking and paid about $70 for it. I like the bottom with all the holes that provides me with maximum coverage when doing sewing or laundry. I have tried cleaning it according to their directions and have gotten "stuff" out of it. I have tried bottled water and it still leaks. So, when done I empty it. For quilting I use it dry now with a spray bottle on hand.I have had Black and Decker in the past and will go back to something like that again.

vmquilts

I bought a sunbeam from walmart and had it about 10 years no drips. cheapest investment I got.

Susie42quilter

Rowentas are known for this, check out the Reliable irons om

amazon. Quilting Out Loud rates them very highly. That will be

my next iron!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Sadiemae

I had a Black and Decker that I absolutely detested. It worked when it wanted to...