here's my two cents: I have a T-Fal - have had it for about 8 years -never leaks. Also, I do not iron plush towels.

Thanks, I'll try it.

What you could use is a metal grill stand which stands about 2" above the table, ideally with a small lip around the edge so that it cannot slide out. This is what they had at a tailor's shop I worked in for the irons, although theirs were made of cast iron, and is a very good solution IMO.

I bought the red Kandi iron at a quilt show a year ago. I could not figure out how to make it stand up when I wasn't using it; when I stand it up it is tipsy. I'm afraid it will burn my fabric (or worse the house down). Anyone with any ideas? P.S. I haven't been using it because of this problem.

I finally found the best iron I have every owned. It is the Reliable brand and I believe it is made in Canada. It cost around $100 but has been worth every penny. It does not leak or drip and has a feature to control the automatic shut off feature. That feature alone has saved me much frustration and time waiting for the iron to reheat. It's the best.

I have the Continental Platinum from Vermont Country Store and it is excellent.

I also use one from the Vermont Country Store and LUV it!!! Here is the link:

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/For_The_Home/Household_Solutions/Laundry_&_Storage/Dry_Iron/42277

The brand they sell is not the Black and Decker, but is called "Continental". I'm not sure what the difference is in the two brands.

bean53 wrote:

.
I am with Ricky... I USE A SPRAY BOTTLE

I use the CLASSIC BLACK AND DECKER WITH NO LEAKS BECAUSE IT HAS NO STEAM... NO VENTS

I get them from the VERMONT COUNTRY STORE

.

I got the Kandi iron at IQF Houston..... Thumbs up! Terrific little iron. Here is the website.........
http://www.i-kandi.com/handi_iron.asp

Debbie that is exactly the same as my Black and Decker travel iron that I have had for 20 years or more and it still works perfectly. (Mind you I didn't use it for years because it didn't have steam and I never thought of a spritzer bottle until I saw Ricky doing it.) But it is now in my sewing room all the time. Just make sure you use an ironing cloth of some kind if you are using fusible as it doesn't clean off as easily as the bigger irons.

My expensive Rowenta has been leaking and it recently quit heating enough even to iron fusible on fabric!!! It's only a couple of years old and causing me a lot of grief.

Good news! I did find a wonderful new red mini- iron at my LQS a couple of weeks ago and I just started using it last week. I LOVE IT! It is very light and compact and it heats so good. The ladies at my LQS highly recommended it over another brand of compact iron that offered steam. I was fusing blocks today for machine applique and they pressed up beautifully with 'Lil' Red' and Best Press. Normally I have problems with my back & shoulders when I am sewing, but since I started using it, I have not had those problems and I believe it is because I'm not constantly lifting the standard size iron. It can easily be packed for classes & retreats and since it is not a steam iron, you don't need to worry about it leaking

My 'little red iron' is called Kandi's Handi-Iron. It was $40.75 at my LQS. I looked on Amazon and did not find one, but they had one on eBay. Here's the link if anyone is interested in checking it out: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kandis-Handi-Iron-Little-Red-Iron-Many-Uses-/260939760678?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc138c426.

heartnsoulquilts wrote:
Thank you for clearing this up for me! I skimmed through the thread very quickly, and do believe Lotti is looking and Rita has found one that works for her. Regarless, there are a lot unhappy quilters around the world, when it comes to their irons. The step down converters (transformers) come in many different wattages, and are as cheap as around $10. I would certainly NOT get a cheap one, just for the reason you brought up - - the continual cycling on and off. My stoopwaffle iron is contiually maintain a certain temp, so will heat up and cool down. Mine is a 1000W (and more $$ of course) and can handle it. If I were anyone wanting an iron that only comes in 110V I would research (Google) Step Down Converters/Transformers. I hope this information helps those of you who are in need of it!

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

Dawn, I am in the US, but I was thinking of Rita, in Ireland and Lotti, in Switzerland, I believe. Lotti posted this inquiry first, and so many others have now commented too. Seems many of us are not happy with our irons! And with the 220 volts in Europe, it seems even more of a problem!

I suspect Lottie and Rita would be interested in the convertor thing-a-magic you have (that is the technical term for it!! LOL) Do you think it could handle the heat and constant cycling on and off of an iron?

heartnsoulquilts wrote:
I'm not sure that I am understanding your question. Here in the US we plug our small appliances into 110. Why whould you be plugging yours into 220? Or, is the country on your profile not where you live?

Anyway, yes! there is a converter, or step-up, step-down device. My daughter bought a stroopwaffle (very Dutch) machine for me in Holland (220V), and my DH bought such a device for me. It is a very heavy, around 5" cube, and will convert 110 to 220, or 220 to 110. If you are seriously interested in this, I will send a picture to you, and try to get more information for you. They are not cheap! But if it allows you to get any electronic item that you wish, then it is well worth it!

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana