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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: beverlie
Date: 10-05-2004, 01:11 PM (1 of 11)
I was looking to purchase a mini iron for applique projects. I saw "clover mini iron" but it got some bad reviews. Anyone in cyber-quilting land use one? 
bevski-san
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User: beverlie
Member since: 11-12-2003 Total posts: 1 |
From: MaryW
Date: 10-05-2004, 01:51 PM (2 of 11)
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Yes,I have one and I love it. It's perfect for applique. The only drawback I see to it is the hi heat setting is very, very hot!!! You really have to be careful.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 10-05-2004, 02:24 PM (3 of 11)
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I have a Hobbico iron...it has a setting dial and a rest..it's a bit bigger than the Clovers..it actually looks like a mini iron (with non-stick on the plate), with a wooden handle. So far I love it.....it's great with iron-on bias.
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 10-05-2004, 03:37 PM (4 of 11)
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I have a Clover mini-iron and it is okay for small applique pieces. However, I went to Walgreen's and bought a $10 travel iron to use for applique. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: lilac
Date: 10-25-2004, 09:37 AM (5 of 11)
| I have never used one. Do you really need one? I have an applique pressing sheet but never needed a mini iron. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: mamahoogie
Date: 10-25-2004, 10:14 PM (6 of 11)
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I have Clover iron too and love it - but I agree, it gets hot! I found the clip that comes with it is useless. I glued it onto a wooden disc for stability. Then on Fons and Porter I saw them put a large clip (one of those black ones from stationery stores) on the bottom for extra stability. I use mine for doing stained glass quilts. You need the small one to attach the bias binding. I have used it on other small areas too. Wouldn't do without it. Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: Jonell
Date: 10-28-2004, 04:08 AM (7 of 11)
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Hi Everyone I have a clover mini iron and I find that it works great for attaching those bias strips for stained glass patterns. BUT, I don't use it for much else. Mine doesn't seem to retain heat very well in the iron portion except for the heating tube (up to the iron shape). I have been VERY badly burnt a couple of times on my wrist and fingers. Of course it was my fault for not paying close enough attention. It is easy for fingers to slip. So be very careful around these. I didn't feel it much when it first happened. But withing 30 minutes I was in tears. These irons can do deep tissue burns and we don't realize it. I am saving up my pennies to purchase one of those larger mini irons, the one with the wooden handle. The ladies in my sewing group just love them. Hope this helps a little. Happy Sewing Jonell |
User: Jonell
Member since: 05-30-2001 Total posts: 11 |
From: MaryW
Date: 10-28-2004, 05:59 AM (8 of 11)
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Hi Jonelle, welcome to Sew Whats New. I agree about the mini irons, they are HOT!!! I should think they would work well with sewing doll clothes, all those tiny seam allowances and hems. They are good for fusing single motifs too. Any other uses girls? MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: lilac
Date: 10-28-2004, 09:38 AM (9 of 11)
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I am so glad you pointed out how easy it is to get burnt. I burn myself on my regular iron all the time and it is not fun. What do you look for in a safer mini iron? How does a wooden handle help? I have always just used the tip of my iron to do small areas and so far I have yet to find an iron I could no injure myself with. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: Jonell
Date: 10-28-2004, 02:42 PM (10 of 11)
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I don't burn myself on the lil' iron part, it is the metal tube that is part of the handle. My finger will slip on down when I am holding the handle. Or if I am reaching for something, my wrist or arm seems to brush the metal tube and get burned. I like the look and feel of the wooden handle on the other type mini iron. Appears to give a better grip, so my fingers don't slip off. I like to make my own folded bias tape strips and I use a regular iron to make those. A couple of years ago I found some finger protectors at Joann's Fabric that worked great. They are like little bandaids that you just wrap around your finger. They reflect the heat. But I used them all up and I can't find them anymore. So I got some teflon fabric and made some little finger protectors. They work ok on my index finger, but they are too awkward to use with my mini iron. Well I will just have to keep trying not to burn my self 
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User: Jonell
Member since: 05-30-2001 Total posts: 11 |
From: lilac
Date: 10-29-2004, 12:33 PM (11 of 11)
| I hate the feeling of wearing gloves but maybe a quilters glove would help. Seems like they have come out with 12 versions of every notion except something to keep us from burning ourself. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
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