A good quality iron can make a big difference to your quilting experience and also how precise your pieces come together. Trying to pick the best iron for quilting can be a tough task given all the different brands and products out there!
When I took a series of tailoring classes, one of the first things I learned that surprised me the most was how critical proper ironing and ironing tools are to a professional finished product. Irons are used to flatten the washed fabric to eliminate shrinkage and to flatten the fabric for precise cutting.
Once quilt pieces are stitched, an iron is used over the seam to ‘set’ the stitching into the fabric then ironed open to make that seam disappear.
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If You Are Short Of Time, Here Is My List Of The Best Irons For Quilting:
- Steamfast Mini Iron
- Beautural 1800-Watt Steam Iron with Digital LCD Screen, Double Ceramic Coated Soleplate, 3-Way Auto-Off, 100% Safe, 9 Preset Temperature and Steam Settings for Variable Fabric
- CHI (13101) Steam Iron With Titanium Infused Ceramic Soleplate & Over 300 Steam Holes, Professional Grade (13101)
- Rowenta DW5080 Focus Steam Iron
- BLACK+DECKER Digital Advantage Professional Steam Iron, LCD Screen, Gray, D2030
- Oliso TG1600 Smart Iron with iTouch Technology
- CHI (13102) Steam Iron with Retractable Cord, Electronic temperature controls, 1700 Watts, Titanium Infused Ceramic Soleplate & Over 400 Steam Holes, Professional Grade
- Rowenta DW9081 Steamium
First Things First – Reviews For Each Quilting Iron:
Irons basically fall into two price points, Low end and gasp (high end). Many, many quilters swear by their low end irons, and honestly, if you never put water in your iron, and spray your fabric surfaces with clean water to dampen your fabric, you may never need a high end iron.
Once you do try a high end iron though, you’ll be astonished how useful they are, how they help you achieve great results with your fabric, and you may decide that they justify the price point.
So let’s start with my little best buddy. This little guy is ridiculously useful! Add a little water into its reservoir and you’ve got steam. It is plenty hot to get most deep wrinkles out of cotton fabric if I dampen the fabric first.
I use it with my June Tailor Quilter’s Cut and Press lap board and sit in front of the tv at night to iron all my pieces at once, right there on my lap while I’m resting on the couch. Both pieces are super portable, and travel with me to quilt classes, workshops and even to visit relatives. .
They are small enough to sit right next to my sewing machine as I sew and I can just reach over and iron seams without having to get up or stand at an ironing board! Talk about convenient! It IS small though, so you won’t want this to be your only iron.
Ironing preshrunk yards and yards of quilt backing requires a large iron or you’ll be ironing for hours and hours.
That being said, I doubt I’ll ever be without my Steamfast Mini Iron!
1. Steamfast Mini Iron
- Fits in your hand
- Add water for steam
- Hot enough to use fusible web too
- Non-stick sole plate
- Storage bag included
- Long chord
- Small and unbulky
Total Rating: 73 % But, I’m giving it extra points because it is so incredibly useful and portable that I’m bumping it up to 95%!
- 4 out of 5 stars Gets good and hot
- 5 out of 5 stars Fits in hand nicely
- 4 out of 5 stars Chord is out of the way
- 5 out of 5 stars Long chord
- 2 out of 5 stars Several steam options
- 2 out of 5 stars Strong burst of steam for deep penetration
June Tailor Quilter’s Cut’n Press
I can just flip the board over and cut out small pieces of fabric with a rotary cutter or use it as a drawing board for tracing patterns.
And Here’s the larger size: June Tailor Quilter’s Cut’n Press II 12×18
Low End Irons Top Favorites
Despite all their claims of perfection, the advice that I adhere to is what my teachers have drummed into me over the years and what professional seamstresses say:
Don’t trust your iron with steam. Use your irons dry and spray your fabrics with water by hand. If I had delicate, antique or expensive luxury fabric, that’s what I would do.
For quilting, what is an advantage is WEIGHT. Believe it or not, you want an iron with some heft that will aid in ironing wrinkles out without your having to push hard. You will want an iron to do most of the work for you.
The other most important feature is steam, steam, steam. Not only is a steady light steam important, but a blast of strong steam is so beneficial!
A sharp point is a great feature so that you can iron right into tight corners.
A chord that has a swivel or raised height so it doesn’t get in the way of your ironing will keep your frustration low.
2. Beautural 1800-Watt Steam Iron with Digital LCD Screen
- Motion sensor automatic shut off
- Double coated ceramic sole plate
- Great price point
- Anti-calcium and self-cleaning system
- 90 day warranty and full refund
- 1800 watts
- Two heat plates for steam and fabric
- Comfort grip handle
- Extra large water tank
- Takes tap water
- LED temperature display
- High rated by customers
Total Rating: 90%
- 5 out of 5 stars Gets good and hot
- 5 out of 5 stars Fits hand nicely
- 5 out of 5 stars Chord is out of the way
- 4 out of 5 stars Long chord
- 4 out of 5 stars Several steam options
- 4 out of 5 stars Strong burst of steam for deep penetration
3. CHI (13101) Steam Iron With Titanium Infused Ceramic Soleplate
- Very Highly Rated
- Over 300 steam holes
- Titanium infused sole plate
- Raised chord support for less tangling
- Extra long ten foot chord
- 1700 watts
- Limited two year warranty
- Highly rated by customers
Total Rating: 93%
- 5 out of 5 stars Gets good and hot
- 5 out of 5 stars Fits in hand nicely
- 5 out of 5 stars Chord gets out of the way
- 5 out of 5 stars Long chord
- 4 out of 5 stars Several steam options
- 4 out of 5 stars Strong burst of steam for deep penetration
4. Rowenta DW5080 Focus Steam Iron
- 400 micro holes for steam distribution
- Sharp precision tip
- Auto shut-off after 8 minutes upright or 30 seconds if left unmoving horizontal
- Uses regular rap water
- Built in anti Calc system removes impurities
- At at the higher end of the low price point range
- Highly rated
- 1700 watts
Total Rating: 83%
- 5 out of 5 stars Gets good and hot
- 4 out of 5 stars Fits in hand nicely
- 5 out of 5 stars Chord is out of the way
- 3 out of 5 stars Long chord
- 4 out of 5 stars Several steam options
- 4 out of 5 stars Strong burst of steam for deep penetration
5. BLACK+DECKER Digital Advantage Professional Steam Iron D2030
- 1500 watts
- Variable steam controls
- Auto clean cycle
- LCD temperature screen
- Fast max heat temperature
Total Rating: 70 %
- 3 out of 5 stars Gets good and hot
- 4 out of 5 stars Fits in hand nicely
- 4 out of 5 stars Chord is out of the way
- 3 out of 5 stars Long chord
- 4 out of 5 stars Several steam options
- 3 out of 5 stars Strong burst of steam for deep penetration
High End Irons
These irons are space-aged innovation. Their features are phenomenal! I’ve used most of these irons at various classes and borrowed from classmates. I would be thrilled to own any of them. I would use the steam feature on quilt fabric UNTIL I started noticing water spitting or puddling out of the steam holes. (which may or may not happen for years of use).
None of them are flawless however, be sure to read the manufacturer’s directions on specific kinds of water to use as each one is slightly different and apparently using water contrary to the directions may cause problems with leaking and spitting.
My Number one pick:
I admit it, this iron is on my wish list for Santa. I have used it at sewing classes and it is amazing. Granted, it’s not perfect and has sporadic reviews, but the ones I have used have been delightful to use. Just the variations in steam make it a versatile and helpful tool.
6. Oliso TG1600 Smart Iron with iTouch Technology
- ITOUCH TECHNOLOGY – Scorchguards lower with the touch of your hand and lifts when you have stopped ironing, preventing burns, scorching and tipping
- 3 steam settings: continuous, horizontal burst, and vertical burst along with 3 steam levels (low, medium, high)
- detailer tip gets between layers to create crisp pleats, pockets & cuffs
- 1800 watts
- 12 Foot chord
- 30 minute extended auto shut-off
- Email manufacturer for warranty information
- 30 minute auto off feature means it won’t turn off too soon
Total Rating: 100 %
- 5 out of 5 stars Gets good and hot
- 5 out of 5 stars Fits in hand nicely
- 5 out of 5 stars Chord is out of the way
- 5 out of 5 stars Long chord
- 5 out of 5 stars Several steam options
- 5 out of 5 stars Strong steam burst
https://youtu.be/ZRfSkHiIw0Y
7. CHI (13102) Steam Iron with Retractable Cord
- Retractable chord
- titanium-infused ceramic soleplate
- 8 foot chord
- 1700 watts
- 400 steam holes
- Two year limited warranty
Total Rating: 93 %
- 5 out of 5 stars Gets good and hot
- 5 out of 5 stars Fits in hand nicely
- 5 out of 5 stars Chord is out of the way
- 3 out of 5 stars Long chord
- 5 out of 5 stars Several steam options
- 5 out of 5 stars Strong burst of steam for deep penetration
8. Rowenta DW9081 Steamium
- 1800 watts
- 400 steam holes
- Steam on demand; burst-of-steam and cool-spray-mist functions; vertical steam for hanging garments
- Self cleaning
- Anti drip
- Self cleaning
- Long pointed tip
- Steam force technology – BUT you have to hold down the button the entire time you want steam
- Use tap water
- Anti-calc feature
- Seven foot chord with 360 degree pivot
- Very high price point
Total Rating: 75 % with points taken off for lukewarm customer ratings
- 5 out of 5 stars Gets good and hot
- 4 out of 5 stars Fits nicely in the hand
- 5 out of 5 stars Chord is out of the way
- 2 out of 5 stars Long chord
- 3 out of 5 stars Several steam options – difficult to keep holding down button
- 5 out of 5 stars Strong burst of steam for deep penetration
Whether you decide to use a low end iron with manually added water in a spritzer bottle or if you want to invest in a special iron with advanced features, an iron is a critical component of your quilting experience and a key tool to get a precision finish with quilt piecing and applique.
Extra good information:
A good iron for quilting is super helpful, but a great sewing machine is crucial! Here’s my informative article on picking the best sewing machine for quilting.
Here’s a great video tutorial on how to clean your steam iron from deposits and gunk:
Here’s a very useful video about how to iron for quilting: lots of tips and insider information that will make a big difference in your quilting experience: