Well, I did it. I spent another $100 on an iron. As far as I am concerned I will never bring another Rowenta into the house. They have disappointed me hugely over the years with their awful leaking, so no more. I had just about made up my mind to get a cheap iron and be done with it, but recently I got a couple of suggestions for pricier irons that might be worth the expense. One reader suggested the Rowenta ironing station, where the water is stored in a large base that sits under the iron itself. She said she gets great steam, no annoying auto shut off, no leaking, and it's been working great for her. But at $299 I wasn't sure I wanted to throw any more money at Rowenta.
Another reader told me about her Chi iron. Chi is a company that is known for hair tools. Dryers, straighteners, curling irons, etc. It turns out they make a steam iron priced $60-$100, depending on the model. She loves hers. Great steam, no leaking, and a 30-minute auto-shutoff. In a weak moment, I ordered one, which arrived this weekend.
And I think I love it. It is quite heavy and has 400 steam vent holes, similar to the Rowenta. The steam it puts out is impressive. It also holds a lot more water than my previous irons. I also love the fact that I don't have to "wake it up" every 8 minutes due to the annoying shut-off feature. I will keep you posted, but so far, this seems to be a great iron.
I remade my Moda Blockheads block from last week. The seams on the center area on my block were kind of puckery, and would not lie flat. I don't know if it was better sewing on my part or the new iron, but the center of this second block is behaving much better. I made the bonus block as well, which has a similar construction and that center section came out great too.
Hope you all had a great weekend. Happy sewing this week!
30 responses to “Having the Right Tools for the Job”
I love this color combo…very fun.
I love this color combo…very fun.
I love this color combo…very fun.
What is the model number of the Chi iron?
What is the model number of the Chi iron?
What is the model number of the Chi iron?
What is the model number of the Chi iron?
What is the model number of the Chi iron?
What is the model number of the Chi iron?
I’m glad you found a new iron! Cheers to years of service without any water ‘spitting’! Your blocks look really nice!
I’m glad you found a new iron! Cheers to years of service without any water ‘spitting’! Your blocks look really nice!
I’m glad you found a new iron! Cheers to years of service without any water ‘spitting’! Your blocks look really nice!
oh, I hope the iron works out. I need a new one. mine is spitting muck. I’m going to try the technique of emptying the water after I sew. I thought that was a practical tip. ;p
oh, I hope the iron works out. I need a new one. mine is spitting muck. I’m going to try the technique of emptying the water after I sew. I thought that was a practical tip. ;p
oh, I hope the iron works out. I need a new one. mine is spitting muck. I’m going to try the technique of emptying the water after I sew. I thought that was a practical tip. ;p
I have just replaced my Chi iron, which I did really like, but it began to leak out the bottom after 2 years.
I have just replaced my Chi iron, which I did really like, but it began to leak out the bottom after 2 years.
I have just replaced my Chi iron, which I did really like, but it began to leak out the bottom after 2 years.
I bought two Rowenta irons back in the day they were made in Germany still. They are the best. Never an issue with water sputtering or dripping. I used my first one to death for about ten years. One day it decided it had enough and would not heat up-sad day. Now, I’m on number two. So far, so good. Let us know about your new iron for future reference!
I bought two Rowenta irons back in the day they were made in Germany still. They are the best. Never an issue with water sputtering or dripping. I used my first one to death for about ten years. One day it decided it had enough and would not heat up-sad day. Now, I’m on number two. So far, so good. Let us know about your new iron for future reference!
I bought two Rowenta irons back in the day they were made in Germany still. They are the best. Never an issue with water sputtering or dripping. I used my first one to death for about ten years. One day it decided it had enough and would not heat up-sad day. Now, I’m on number two. So far, so good. Let us know about your new iron for future reference!
I love my CHI iron! It’s the best one I’ve had yet
Enjoy
I love my CHI iron! It’s the best one I’ve had yet
Enjoy
I love my CHI iron! It’s the best one I’ve had yet
Enjoy
I went through a similar thing with Rowenta. I loved it but I got tired of spending so much–though now I’m resigned to thinking that irons only last a year or two for quilters. Mine is on almost daily for 6+ hours so I guess that’s just what happens. I moved to the CHI a few years ago–$65 at Target. Plenty of steam holes and a 30 min auto-off (I can NOT have the thing shutting off after 5 or 10 mins!), I think it’s totally great and if it breaks (and one already has), it doesn’t break ME to buy a new one! I’d still get a Rowenta if they still had one that didn’t have the auto shut-off (stopped making them) but I guess the CHI just makes more sense.
I went through a similar thing with Rowenta. I loved it but I got tired of spending so much–though now I’m resigned to thinking that irons only last a year or two for quilters. Mine is on almost daily for 6+ hours so I guess that’s just what happens. I moved to the CHI a few years ago–$65 at Target. Plenty of steam holes and a 30 min auto-off (I can NOT have the thing shutting off after 5 or 10 mins!), I think it’s totally great and if it breaks (and one already has), it doesn’t break ME to buy a new one! I’d still get a Rowenta if they still had one that didn’t have the auto shut-off (stopped making them) but I guess the CHI just makes more sense.
I went through a similar thing with Rowenta. I loved it but I got tired of spending so much–though now I’m resigned to thinking that irons only last a year or two for quilters. Mine is on almost daily for 6+ hours so I guess that’s just what happens. I moved to the CHI a few years ago–$65 at Target. Plenty of steam holes and a 30 min auto-off (I can NOT have the thing shutting off after 5 or 10 mins!), I think it’s totally great and if it breaks (and one already has), it doesn’t break ME to buy a new one! I’d still get a Rowenta if they still had one that didn’t have the auto shut-off (stopped making them) but I guess the CHI just makes more sense.
I’m on my 2nd Chi iron in 8 years. The one thing I’ve found with any iron — I use 1/2 distilled/1/2 tap water. I’ve found this stops the brown gunk from spitting out that I’ve had with every other iron I’ve used. I’ve stained far too many items — once I started the 1/2 & 1/2 mixture no more brown spitting.
I’m on my 2nd Chi iron in 8 years. The one thing I’ve found with any iron — I use 1/2 distilled/1/2 tap water. I’ve found this stops the brown gunk from spitting out that I’ve had with every other iron I’ve used. I’ve stained far too many items — once I started the 1/2 & 1/2 mixture no more brown spitting.
I’m on my 2nd Chi iron in 8 years. The one thing I’ve found with any iron — I use 1/2 distilled/1/2 tap water. I’ve found this stops the brown gunk from spitting out that I’ve had with every other iron I’ve used. I’ve stained far too many items — once I started the 1/2 & 1/2 mixture no more brown spitting.