Iron recommendations? - YouLookFab Forum

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Iron recommendations?

Gigi

Veteran

I need to buy a new iron because I have decided to stop suffering with my current one (the steam feature has never worked right). I am not a very good ironer and don't know if there are any types of functions that would be handy to have. Do any fabbers have recommendations for a good iron?

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Gigi

Aida

Veteran

Bumping in hopes that some of the gals can recommend you something! Mine is nothing special, can't even remember the brand offhand

(PS Nice to see you, hope things are going well ^^)

Gigi

Veteran

Hello, Aida! I've been a bit of a lurker as of late. Things have been crazy in my life lately, and I've been going through a style change as well. So I keep checking in but often feel like I'm in no-man's-land!

SW Ann

Veteran

Many years ago, a Sales Assoc at Nordstroms recommended the German made Rowenta, if you can find one. It has been an excellent iron for many years...However, not sure if they are still available. Seems like good things are often discontinued. She was insistent we find the German made one and we did, and have not regretted it. I think it's about 12 or more years old at this point...

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Would a garment steamer be more useful for you? I've not gotten one yet but I know several YLFers have them.

My current one is a Black & Decker from a few years ago. Brands seem to be more inconsistent these days. Rowenta is a good name, for sure, but it might depend on the model. QVC seems to have nice deals on irons fairly often. A source for reviews of particular brands would be patternreview.com (sewing site with reviews of patterns, yes, but also sewing machines and accoutrements, including irons).

SkiDiva

What SW Ann said! I got tired of having to replace cheap irons a few years ago and decided to spring for a good Rowenta, and I haven't regretted it. Mine is the Rowenta Steamium DW9081, and it is still made in Germany.

always trying

Veteran

I have a couple I no longer use. don't know the brands even, but when My mom left me with her old one a few years ago I found it to be far superior to anything I had. It s very old, still steams great-but its best feature is that it is heavy. I would suggest getting the heaviest one you can find. Makes ironing way easier.

Gigi

Veteran

Ann and SkiDiva: I will definitely check into the German-made Rowenta. Thank you!

Laura, my current (nonworking) iron is a Black and Decker, and I am hesitant to try that brand again. I suppose it was just a fluke that mine never worked right, because as you point out, brands are just really inconsistent. I thought about a garment steamer, but in reading online about the pros and cons of one vs. an iron, it sounded like an iron was better for things like crisp dress shirts, which would be my main use.

Always trying, thanks for the suggestion of getting a heavy iron. I occasionally see irons advertised as lightweight and will steer clear of those!

Sal

Veteran

Can't help on the iron sorry.

I wondered what your style shift is Gigi? More boho, or more feminine, or something else?

Hope you are enjoying fashion anyway

Beth

Veteran

I bought a T-Fal iron last winter that I've been really pleased with. It got great reviews on The Sweet Home website (great site for reviews, BTW), and was the less expensive option to the other highly reviewed iron, a Rowena.

http://thesweethome.com/review.....thes-iron/

Anonymous

I also have a Rowenta that is several years old that has been excellent. Not sure the model # or if it is German made though.

I bought a steamer about 3 years ago and have never used it! One of these days I must try it.

I kind of like to iron actually.

MsMaven

Veteran

I have a Rowenta that I bought ages ago when I was still sewing. It works great and is a much better iron than whatever I had before.

When it was time to buy a new vacuum cleaner DH went shopping and the owner of the shop told him the best ones were German brands. I can recommend it.

I vaguely recall seeing Rowenta brand irons for sale at BB&B the last time I was in there. You might check out the online store.

Gigi

Veteran

Kiwigal, my style shift is toward gamine. I guess I'm adding another persona to my polished feminine and boho personas! The more the merrier, ha ha. I just bought a pair of ballerina flats with a little bow on top today, which is something I thought I'd never do.

Beth, thanks for the T-Fal rec! I will check it out.

Floradora and MsMaven, thank you for chiming in. I have a BB&B not too far from me; maybe they even carry the Rowentas in the store. It's hard to tell from the BB&B website which ones are made in Germany. Everything just says "imported." If I go to the store and they have them, I can check for myself.

Adelfa

Veteran

I have used nothing but Rowentas for many many years and wouldn't use anything else. I just dropped mine. It still works, but comes apart now and then showing an alarming number of wires. So a new one is in my near future!

I have a steamer, a big one. When I had a house where it could have its own room, I used it more. Now the only thing I use it for is touching up silk blouses and it's a pain to roll it out of the closet. Also I discovered I much prefer the crisp look that an iron gives, as compared to the steamer.

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks for the input, Adelfa. I have very little storage space, and that is another reason that I decided to go with an iron instead of a steamer. I know that there are travel-sized steamers, but I think that you have to refill them multiple times per garment, which is kind of a pain.

Aida

Veteran

Ok I decided to check mine after all this Rowenta talk which sounded familiar... and that's what I have too. Mine can also be used vertically with water like a steamer, but I haven't tried it (I only iron when I absolutely have to ).

K. Period.

Veteran

I have a Rowenta too. It is (eea really? how did that happen?) probably at least 10 years old by now. I bought it at Costco. I'd had a bunch of cheaper irons in the past and finally couldn't stand it. My Rowenta iron has been absolutely fab.

Gigi

Veteran

Wow, it looks like Rowenta is clearly the favorite! Aida, your iron sounds amazing! K.Period, I'm glad that your Rowenta has held up well. I don't want a cheapie iron...I want to buy one and be done with it forever.