Irons and Irons and Irons, OH MY!

 

You can see above my surprising iron collection!  I am a person that uses one iron.  How did I happen to find myself with not one, but five irons!

Here is my story - or maybe my excuses?  The middle iron with the black handle is the one I use almost daily.  It is a trusty GE iron that I've had for over 30 years and was my mothers before me.  It heats nice and hot.  It does have steam capability, but I never use it.  The only minor problem I've ever had was many years ago I replaced the cord.

The itty bitty iron on the far left is a little travel iron one of my sisters gave me years ago.  It has no logo on it and I doubt it's made anymore.  I have used it to travel with and it works great and takes almost no room in the suitcase. The only minor issue with this iron is that the cord doesn't stay attached to the iron very well.  I especially love the fact that the sole plate on this iron is perfectly flat with no holes for steam.  This is really helpful when doing fusible applique.

The white iron second from the right is the only iron I've ever purchased.  It is a Power Glide Rowenta.  I know is at least 10 years old.  I had heard Rowenta was a good brand and I wanted a iron that used steam to use for a fusible batting that required steam for it to adhere.  I did use the iron for this for awhile, but I found I wasn't using that batting anymore.  Either it wasn't available, or I was just using other battings I had on hand.  I decided to keep this iron as a back up in case my trusty GE ever quit.

The BIG iron to the right is a TG 1600 Pro & Smart Iron by Oliso.  This iron was given to me by Oliso thru the Island Batik Ambassador program last year.  This is a remarkable iron.  It has a lift so you don't have to set the iron up each time you stop ironing.  Little legs pop out that lifts the iron off the ironing board.  It has steam capability.  The thing I like best about this iron is the extra long cord so I don't have to use an extension cord.

I used this iron for awhile.  I found I just wasn't excited about it.  I think I've used the same iron for so many years it is hard for me to get used to something different.  There are a few things I don't care for about this iron which are just personal things- nothing against the iron itself.  I find it is just to big and heavy for me.  I don't use steam, so that is not a drawing card for me.  I don't care for the lift system/  For (in my mind) safety reasons, I prefer to set my iron upright when using it.  Again, this is also from years of habit.  Also when the little legs pop out it makes a small noise which isn't that bad, but I find it annoying.  I don't need that sound when I'm doing lots of ironing and the weight is tiring.  I didn't realize how often I start and stop and start and stop when pressing.

The last iron is the mini green iron second from the left.  This iron was also given to me from Oliso thru the Island Batik Ambassador program.  This year each Ambassador was given a new Oliso M3Pro to try out.  This iron is quite a bit smaller than the TG 1600. The M3Pro is a bit smaller than my black GE iron, but since I love to do small quilts I can see using this iron more often.  It is light weight and also has a nice long cord.  It can do steam which I never use.  I wish it didn't have steam as I find the buttons for using steam are big and kind of in the way in the handle.  I wish it had a bit more of a  handle grip. It comes in multiple colors which is really fun.  It has Stand by and safety auto-off.  It also came with a sole mate the same color as the iron. What I love most about this iron  other than the long cord, is that it has a little light at the front!  Who ever thought of putting a headlight on an iron is a genius!

Here is a photo of the sole plates of all the irons.

It's interesting to see the different sole plates.  As I like to do a lot of fusible web, it is good not to have too many holes on the plate, as those areas don't fuse as well as the rest of the surface.  The itty bitty iron has no holes as it doesn't have steam capability.  The Rowenta not only has holes for steam, but other indentations.  I'm not sure the reasoning why they have this, but it is my least favorite.

So there you have it.  All my irons and what I like or don't like about each one.  I'm a bit embarrassed to have so many and I will probably be eliminating a couple very soon as I have a small sewing space and really have no use for 5 different irons!

What is your favorite iron and why?  I'd love to hear from you.

July 2025 Island Batik Boxes

July is an exciting time for the Island Batik Ambassadors.  This month we receive boxed supplies to use for the next 6 months.  My boxes came a day earlier than expected - they actually arrived on my anniversary!  That was extra special.

See the photos below to see what was in my two large boxes.

Starting off with a surprise bundle of Island Batik fabrics that I can't show you yet because the fabrics haven't arrived in stores yet.  These fabrics will be used in a special November Challenge.  They are beautiful, so be sure and check out my blog in November.

We received three Stash Builder Bundles.  There are 5 rolls in each bundle.  Each roll holds 4 five inch strips in a variety of colors.  These are a great way to increase the variety in your fabric collection.  I love them especially for applique or paper piecing where you don't need a large amount of any one fabric.

This lovely bundle is a half yard of each fabric from the collection called Sunset.  These fabrics will be in the stores in September.  I will be using them for my blog post challenge in September.  Island Batik also sent  yardage in a light and dark fabric that I can use with the bundle.  Aurifil Thread is a sponsor of the Sept Challenge and sent four spools of thread in coordinating colors.  

Island Batik always sends a great selection of half yard cuts from their Foundation fabrics.  The fabrics on the right coordinate with my Sept bundle of Sunset, and the fabrics on the left coordinate with the November Surprise Bundle.  Now are you curious what my November collection is?

The October challenge is making a By Anne Bag.  This is always a favorite challenge.  We get to select the bag we want to make and also the fabrics.  What could be more fun!  I picked fabrics from the Garden Glory Collection.  The pattern will be the large size from the Two Big Totes pattern.  By Annie will be sending the pattern and other supplies needed soon.  I love this challenge every year!

Precuts are always wonderful.  This time I received a 10" stack of Bodacious Black and  2 1/2" Strip packs of Neutral and Ravishing Red.  I have to admit that the 2 1/2" Strip packs are my favorite precut.

Island Batik is so generous to send a 6 yard cut of one of their foundation fabrics.  This time they sent Frosting which is one I love and have wanted for a long time.  Isn't it pretty!

This 2 1/2" Strip Pack is Fossil Finesse.  This is probably my favorite color combination.   They again sent yardage in light from foundation called Sprinkles and dark green called Frog. Isn't that a fun name!

As always, Island Batik send yardage in their black, white and gray solids.  This time it is the dark gray.  They also carry a light gray.

Hobbs is another one of the Sponsors of the Island Batik Ambassador program.  They are always very generous and this time sent 5 different battings for us to use.

The Fusible is my favorite of all the battings.

It looks like there will be some beautiful and exciting things to be created the rest of the year - stay tuned!

Many thanks to Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Aurifil Thread, and By Annie for suppling products thru the Island Batik Ambassador program.