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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: dcloud
Date: 03-22-2007, 08:24 PM (1 of 17)
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Well I decided if I'm going to get serious about this sewing business then I better invest in a good iron. Many of the articles I've been reading on fabrics all mention the importance of using a good iron so I'm going to pick up this Rowenta Advancer Iron (http://www.amazon.com/Rowenta-DZ9080-Advancer-Iron/dp/B000FHEUWC). Does anyone else have one of these irons? I've heard that Rowenta is a good and reliable brand. |
User: dcloud
Member since: 03-21-2007 Total posts: 72 |
From: breezy2560
Date: 03-22-2007, 09:35 PM (2 of 17)
I don't have the Advancer, but I do have 2 Rowenta irons and I love them. I have owned a number of irons and I think I have finally found "the ones".  I have one that automatically turns off that I use for my everyday ironing of the family clothes and one that doesn't have an automatic shut off for sewing. One piece of advice that I will offer is to heed their advice on the water to use in them. They suggest to use spring water or a mixture of spring water and tap water to keep from having mineral build ups in them. Our water is terrible and not realizing at the time, I think this was part of the problem with the others that I owned. The thing that I really like about the Rowenta is the steam. I like lots of it at times, and it's easy to control. The ones that I have are like the Advancer with the vertical steam, which I love!! I hope you enjoy your purchase as much as I enjoy mine! Debbie |
User: breezy2560
Member since: 11-11-2006 Total posts: 26 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-22-2007, 10:45 PM (3 of 17)
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A lot of people complain that while the Rowentas are great when you get them, they don't last long considering the price. Just a thought. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Jeke
Date: 03-22-2007, 11:06 PM (4 of 17)
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I have really liked my Rowenta. Before I bought mine, someone else had also said they don't last well. I have been careful about the water I put in it. We don't have great tap water so I buy "Drinking water" by the gallon usually from WalMart. I've had mine for several years now without a problem. Jay Jay
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User: Jeke
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 232 |
From: dcloud
Date: 03-22-2007, 11:57 PM (5 of 17)
| When I started dieting and excercising regularly i bought a PUR faucet mount water filter and just filled an old PUR pitcher to keep water in the fridge. This saved a ton on having to buy bottled water. I would think using water filtered through the PUR would work with the Rowenta. There is also another model Rowenta I'm looking at for under a hundred bucks (a Focus model). |
User: dcloud
Member since: 03-21-2007 Total posts: 72 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-23-2007, 12:35 AM (6 of 17)
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Consumer Reports likes a cheap Black and Decker (under $50) for it's features and lasting ability... I've heard in most of my classes and online sites that Rowenta's don't last very long. They have weird quirks that kill'em... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Sancin
Date: 03-23-2007, 01:11 AM (7 of 17)
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There has been a LOT of discussions on Sew What's New Archive on irons. Hit the search button under the pretty threads on the top and then type in 'irons'. It seems to me that Rowenta has not come out very well in most discussions. Some people get good ones and love them but others....... Personally, I usually get a new iron every year or two and a cheap one - they eventually start to spit at me. As Chrys says Black and Decker get a good rating. Because I quilt, I look for a heavy iron as they seem to press better. I have had some light ones that I wondered if they were even on. You are right on about getting a good iron - an iron is as important as your sewing machine, and about the same number of opinions. A good surface to iron on is also very important. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: dcloud
Date: 03-23-2007, 01:47 AM (8 of 17)
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I'm surprised by the responses. After reading all the excellent reviews on the Advancer model it seemed like a good choice. I checked on the B&D irons and found the D2020 Digital Advantage on Amazon for $35. I've been reading that irons with a auto-shutoff feature can be annoying. Also reviewers recommend a stainless steel sole plate. Can anyone recommend a particular B&D model so I can check it out? Thanks. |
User: dcloud
Member since: 03-21-2007 Total posts: 72 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-23-2007, 07:30 AM (9 of 17)
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Some people don't like having to turn the iron back on again and wait for it to heat up if it has an auto off. I wouldn't be without it after years of having to go back an check to make sure I turned it off. It was a family joke. We would all get in the car then one of the kids would get out and go check. While you are thinking about ironing don't forget to pick up a ham and sleeve roll. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: toadusew
Date: 03-23-2007, 07:42 AM (10 of 17)
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I've had two Rowenta irons and loved them both---until they started having problems. The first thing to go on my first one was the auto off feature. My hubby bought me another one that was the top of the Rowenta line at that time. Once again, I loved it for the burst of steam and how well it worked until it started having problems again, this time with a different feature. Rowentas are great while they work, but they do seem to have a very short life for the amount of money they cost. About a year ago or so I bought a Conair Digital iron for $30 and love it! Several of the women on this forum own this type of iron and it had gotten good reviews. I like the fact that it has the ability to override the auto off feature, which is great when you're sewing. This iron also has a headlight, which helps if you're working at night, and it also beeps to signal when it's heated to proper temperature and so forth. I really like this iron and for $30, it's great! 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: MissTaraTara
Date: 03-23-2007, 11:06 AM (11 of 17)
| My second iron was a Rowenta and I, too, loved it. I would probably still have it if it didn't spend so much time kissing the floor. I do notice that many of the newer Rowentas are no longer made in Germany (I think they were German made) but are being made in China and Mexico. Perhaps that is affecting their quality. |
User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006 Total posts: 227 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-23-2007, 12:37 PM (12 of 17)
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I don't think it is so much where something is made -- or the race of the people making it -- that determines the quality, rather it is the quality the company requires that makes the difference. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MissTaraTara
Date: 03-23-2007, 03:33 PM (13 of 17)
I hope my statement is not misunderstood. My point is that many times companies will change and choose less expensive labor and the product performance suffers thereafter. My son's XBoxes were made in Mexico and I think they are fine systems. My sewing machines were made in Taiwan and have performed very well. I am referring specifically to the Rowenta iron, I was not making a blanket statement. 
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User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006 Total posts: 227 |
From: dcloud
Date: 03-23-2007, 04:17 PM (14 of 17)
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MissTaraTara, thanks for your comments, and I totally agree. US keeps sourcing out to foreigners for cheaper labor and the consumer pays for it (literally). It's disgusting. I'm looking at some of these other irons you ladies mentioned. This Conair model (http://www.amazon.com/Conair-DPP3000-1500-Digital-Steam/dp/B00063QML2/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-2401471-8983219?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1174683441&sr=8-1) is almost as much as the Rowenta - $117.99. So as far as price goes it's about the same. I did find this Black & Decker D2030 (http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-D2030-Auto-Off-Advantage/dp/B0006ZUHR0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-2401471-8983219?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1174684588&sr=1-1) for under $50, but it has the auot-shutoff feature. |
User: dcloud
Member since: 03-21-2007 Total posts: 72 |
From: toadusew
Date: 03-23-2007, 07:45 PM (15 of 17)
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That Conair looks like my iron--I think it's the same (or a close cousin :wink model, and I paid $30 on sale at Sears a few months ago. I think it might have originally been priced around $50. You might check out some other places to see if you can find it cheaper. Some ladies have found the Conair digital steam irons at Target, but I never had any luck at my local stores. Let us know what you finally decide to purchase.
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: dcloud
Date: 03-23-2007, 09:00 PM (16 of 17)
| I found the Conair DPP3000 here (http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-2354686-1988955?asin=B000GTRG66&AFID=Shopping&LNM=B000GTRG66|Conair_Iron__DPP3000&ref=tgt_adv_XSC10001) at Target for $40! I take it this is a great deal. Now I can turn off the auto shut off on this iron, right? I should probably get this one. |
User: dcloud
Member since: 03-21-2007 Total posts: 72 |
From: toadusew
Date: 03-24-2007, 08:20 AM (17 of 17)
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That looks just like my iron, and if it is the same model, then it should have the Crafter's Setting (I think that's what it's called) on it, but I would do some checking to be absolutely sure before you make the purchase. All you have to do to override the auto off system is to hold the "on" button down for about 3 seconds or longer and then set the temp to the desired heat (cotton, wool, linen, etc) and wait for the iron to heat up. When it heats to the correct tempertature, there will be a little icon on the bottom left of the little screen that indicates that you have successfully turned off the auto off. Good luck on your purchase!
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
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