This month the question was put out and there are some wonderful suggestions on make, model and style. The range is from fingers, to anything hot! Hee hee. Irons are used a ton when it comes to sewing. They truly helps the blocks look finished and they fit better with each other too! I love that. Thanks for putting your 2 cents in and making it all a bit easier {or not} when it comes to irons and quilting. Rowenta that doesn't turn off. I quilt in marathon sessions, and can't stand when the darn iron turns off. Right now I have a Hamilton Beach which is adequate Haven't found one yet. The one I bought about 8 months ago is now not steaming. grrr. Olieso Finger I have several, but mostly sue my old Black & decker steam iron. Rowenta Powerglide 2 Steam it shuts off automatic when not in use Small travel iron that does not have any steam vents to catch fabric points. I always check the second-hand stores for $1 to $3 purchases. When I am ‘power sewing’ and have not determined which way I want my seams to lay, I use my thumb nail or a wooden presser. That way I can easily reverse my ‘temporary seam direction’ to a ‘final direction’ after the blocks have been united.
Hot & Heavy A wooden presser for "finger" pressing. I do not have a real good electric iron. Rowena bargain from Joann's because it doesn't self clean. Amazing after having a regular iron for so long. I do have a wood presser, a branded one, from a shop hop visit to Quilting in the Country. I think it is a GE - really inexpensive (under 30.00) but highly recommended by a local quilt shop - great steam! I also have the little clover iron but forget to use ie. I have an iron upstairs, a Sunbeam and downstairs a Black & Decker. I have one of those wooden presser things and got it from a Quilt in a Day booth at a quilt show. I use a Sunbeam Steam Master LX - of course, don't drop it or have it fall off the ironing board because lots of the plastic parts like to snap off, but it still works great! My son saw my broken iron (I told him it still works great) and bought me a T-Fal Ultraglide iron and it leaks all over the fabric so I don't use it.
I really like my lightweight GE steam iron the best. I have a Rowenta but it is so heavy, I just cannot get used to the feel of it. I always use an iron to press seams so they are very neat. I just use my every day iron, or sometimes my finger Rowenta
top of the line
I do not use a wooden presser, usually my finger in a pinch
my shark I use a wood presser that I purchased at Knitpicks Sunbeam with micro glide plate.
small one for seams . ref size for over all pressing I only have a big iron, a "Sunbeam Verve 65 Platinum". It's pretty new, so still getting used to it after the old one died! My all time Favorite iron is the Rowenta. I've used the less expensive one, and the middle priced one.....love them both. I will be getting a new one after Christmas as I steam & press Everything I sew! GE that turns off automatically. I like that feature as I never have to worry about it. I use a tool for finger pressing alot. My husband made it for me comes in handy have not found a favorite, but like heavy.
and no holes in the bottom I just have an old Proctor‐Silex I bought at a yard sale. just purchased a Shark steam iron and I love it. It steams either vertically or horizontally, is all shiney finger, then my Black and Decker Light'n'Easy (it has the steam feature, which I nearly NEVER metal with a nice "point" on the end. use - don't like any iron that spits, even the expensive ones) For small projects: Dritz Petite Press Portable Mini Iron I love my GE Light and Easy iron. It is older but For larger projects: Shark Iron it never leaks and is not too heavy. I also have a wooden presser that I just for paper piecing. It's old and I need a new one I do not have a favorite. If I did, it would be one that I would have easy access to at all I have used them all ‐ Many Rowentas, Sharp, times, would hold lots of water for steaming, Bernina Steam generator, Maytag, Oslio. My and does not turn off by itself like the one I current favorite is the Reliable V100. have now.
a very old 1940s travel iron. Buy irons used and enjoy the retro long lasting quality of them.
Conair digital one touch. The main reason I like it is because it turns on and off automatically and I have a bad habit of leaving my irons plugged in and on. Just a regular GE iron. The great thing about it is it has a retractable cord for ease of storage. At home I use a Tefela, for classes I have a small travel Rowenta Sunbeam 3010 I have had the same iron for years. It's a ProctorSiles "Steam and Reach". It does a great job. I also finger press when needed and have just acquired a wood presser which I find very useful for many jobs. generally finger pressing, have tried many and not pleased by most of them
Black and Decker Norelco Easy Steam 503, lots of finger pressing when piecing quilts
I've had the Clover mini iron--gave that away....I own a Rowenta Compact DA 35....not happy with it at all...I own a Black and Decker $10 unit from WalMart...it's great but it turns off every 15 minutes and you have to unplug it to get it going again. I want a pointy iron that doesn't shut off every 15 minutes.
Rowenta steam iron. They don't seem to last more than a year, but I love them. I now have Rowenta steam iron which I love. I don't have a favourite sorry - just whatever the best iron is that I can afford when I need one. Rowenta Professional at home and Rowenta Travel at workshops. I also use a wood presser when not sewing on the bias. Old faithful black and decker, and a bamboo presser I have a Rowenta and I only use it for quilting and fine pressing or ironing. I never used spray starch with this iron, and I use the steam setting quite a bit of the time. I really have enjoyed having nicer tools as I have gotten older and can afford to invest in better products. It's all about the tools. One that doesn't spit water when using steam - I like to use steam as it gives a crisp finish Westinghouse and the old finger press works great on the small stuff Hamilton Beach 1500 Watt Iron. I have had Rowenta's in the past never again. I bought the Hamilton Beach at Wal Mart, steams great!
Steamfast mini travel iron. I take it on all my retreats. It fits in the palm of your hand, is sew cute and gets really hot.
 Steam Iron GE I think - my husband gave to me for Christmas a few years ago - You see - our wedding gift iron (had already served me for 25 years) had burned out the cord so many times - and he fixed it so mamy times - the cord was getting kind of short and I told him I didn't want to have it fixed next time - just let me buy a new one - after I told him - awh they don't cost very much - they don't? he said - nope - you can get one for less than $10-- I said - He gave me a nice iron.  Cheap Black and Decker. I don't feel bad about getting goo on it and having to clean it more often. I've got an average Joe "Steam Storm" (wedding present - from Target). Not fancy. But I would love to have one of those mini ones for applique work! Regular size iron by Hamilton Beach - nothing fancy - have had the expensive iron, but they don't last. Mini iron in two sizes. wood presser with assistance of wet finger. Round end (finger hole) of scissors. My house burned in 2004. Someone gave me an iron and it has always worked! Black and Decker / Light and Easy. I like older irons that are heavier, they seem to press better
My favorite iron is a full-sized Rowenta iron. I press every time I sew pieces together so my blocks lay very flat and the Rowenta gets hot enough for crisp seam. Have had this particular iron for at least three years and couldn't be happier. Use a Rowenta, basic model.. I like it, heats quickly and is easy to use. I primarily use a Rowenta Sew & Press which I've used for 8 years with no problems and no leaks. I also use a wood presser when working on piecing blocks but ALWAYS press as sewn and then press directional for the seam. Old heavy iron and also for hand work a wooden thing made by my husband. I use a Sunbeam Ultra 5900, I find it well balanced and easy to use. I do use finger pressing at times when foundation piecing' especially when small pieces of fabric are used. Oliso iron especially designed for the quilter. When making quantities of small chain-pieced blocks, diamonds, etc (especially bias edges), I use the wood presser to keep the piece from distorting.
An Aged Morphy Richards ‐ dry. Also use a wood presser.
Breville I have a Rowenta, I love it because it is heavy.
I need a favorite ‐ I will defer to other responses! Siemens airsystem slider special MY FAVORITE IRON IS A "SUNBEAM STEAM/DRY IRON" Mine is an inexpensive T‐fal iron from Walmart. Anything, I tried a ROwenta and found out it was nothing special. I have only one. :) it's some old Tefal. but I begin to dreaming about some small iron, which I can use for my quilts in their assembling. Kenwood Philips Steam Sunbeam Polti Steam Generator Bamboo skewers when turning small things no more blisters!
I like an iron with a good heft and a stainless steel sole plate. I have tried so many and find some too light and the ceramic bases drag. The water reservoir ones spit, even expensive ones, and I do use steam but not full output. My fave thing to use, especially when preping folks quilts, for long-arming, and bias edges is spray starch.... just so fresh and makes for a sharp finish. I have a basic Black and Decker which works like a dream. I have no desire to spend a lot of money on a high end iron. I use a Black and Decker iron that I've had for many years. it wasn't expensive and isn't fancy, but it works! I use a Rowenta-but it is heavy. I also use a Black and Decker
cheapo steam Currently have a rowenta- love the way it heats and steams- not so fond of the leaking! I have a dream iron, always hot, steam when needed and also no plug, so no cord to get in my way.............. An old small Proctor-Silex I found at a yard sales 3yrs ago for one dollar. It's great.
Rococo Garden Quilt By Patchwork Posse www.patchworkposse.com
Finished size: 70 X 74
Materials Needed: ¾ yard various backgrounds ½ yard green‐stem 1 ½ yards various flower prints‐ flowers & centers ¾ yard‐ 2nd border ¼ yard‐ 1st border
www.patchworkposse.com
Rococo Garden Pattern Sew the blocks according to the following guides~ Block 1:
You will need: Flower fabric 10—4 X 10 ½” 10—4 ½ X 10 ½” 10—4 X 3 10—3 ½ X 3 Flower center 10—4 X 3
Block 2:
You will need: Background 7—2 ½ X 10 ½ Flower fabric 7—10 ½ X 2 ½ 7—10 ½ X 3 ½ 7—3 X 3 ½ 7—2 ½ X 3 ½ Flower center 7—6 X 3 ½
Block 4:
Block 3:
You will need: Background 9—4 ½ X 10 ½ 9—4 X 10 ½ Stem fabric 9—3 X 10 ½
You will need: Flower fabric 12—3 ½ X 3 ½ 12—4 X 10 ½ Flower center 6—4 ½ X 3 ½
www.patchworkposse.com
Block 5:
Block 6:
You will need: Flower fabric 2—4 X 16 ½ 2—2 X 9 ½ 2—2 X 5 2—4 X 8 1—4 ½ X 16 ½ Flower center 1—5 X 6 ½
You will need: Background 3—3 ½ X 20 ½ 3—4 X 20 ½ Stem fabric 3—4 X 20 ½
Block 7:
You will need: Background 1—5 ½ X 4 ½ 1—5 ½ X 3 Stem fabric 1—5 ½ X 4
Block 8:
You will need: Background 1—5 ½ X 5 1—5 ½ X 4 Stem fabric 1—5 ½ X 2 ½
www.patchworkposse.com
Using the layout below Sew the blocks into columns and then sew the columns together to complete the center of the quilt top. *Columns 3 and 4—sew the bottom blocks together first, then sew block 6 to these, and the blocks on top.
Finish the quilt top by sewing on the two borders.
1st border: 2—1 ½ X 72”
2—1 ½ X 62”
2nd border: 2—4 X 74” 2—4 X 70”
All rights reserved. Patchwork Posse 2012 Rococo Garden is an original pattern and design. Please feel free to make and sell your own creations using this pattern. Credit would be appreciated. NO Mass Production. NO Selling this pattern. NO Making copies for Others. NO emailing this pattern without contacting Patchwork Posse.
Patchwork Posse http://patchworkposse.com www.patchworkposse.com
~Thanks for Contributing~ My Creative Space – Visit Sandy at http://sewmygosh.com
Sew My Gosh!
Flirty & Fun accessories - For the "Unique You"!
Sew My Gosh! Handmade with Care in Windsor, Ontario We carry quality items for everyone in the family For Men: Golfing and fishing towels with fun quotes; Gym towels with fun quotes; Hunting towels with fun quotes; and BBQ Aprons. For Women: Golf and gym towels with fun quotes Aprons, aprons, aprons! For babies & kids: Touchy‐feely blocks Baby/toddlers hats Tooth fairy pillows Aprons – for boys and girls, and they’re all reversible! For the home: Pillows Coasters Decorative accessories