This is a story about Pressing
2 years ago I replaced my old iron from my college days with a new iron. There was nothing wrong with the old iron but I wanted a new one to go with my new quilting hobby. The old one looked so beat up and I wanted something pretty.
So I found beautiful #1. So white and pretty. She was super light weight and had automatic shutoff so if I forgot to unplug her she would take care of it herself. #1 and I were happy pressing for about a year when sadly, the small children running through the house knocked over the ironing board and her with it. The children were in no danger as #1 wasn't on, however #1 took a beating. She had cracked and no longer could hold water. I tried to stay with her for the next month or so, but how can you press beautiful seams without water??
So, eventually, I secretly replaced her with #2 and set her on the shelf. I didn't want to hurt her feelings by throwing her away. #2 was brought home by my husband, so needless to say, there wasn't a lot of thought in picking #2. He would do the job, but he had no automatic shutoff, and never got to hot. Until one day a month ago, when #1 mentioned to him how much better I liked her than him. Well this blew his top. Suddenly he got super hot!! So hot that he threw sparks across the ironing board and sparks from the wall outlet. Well I don't like it when irons don't play nice, so #2 was immediately taken from his place on the ironing borad and set on the shelf with #1. Now they fight all day about who did the better job.
So without an iron I went in search for the perfect friend to press with. And I found her at Big Lots no less. She was the last one on the shelf and was quite lonely. So I picked her up and brought her home. #3 and I became fast friends. She shuts off when I forget, she gets nice and hot, and she has more surface space so I can press a little more, which always saves me time. She is very considerate but I wish she would lose a few pounds. #3 is a bit heavier than #1 and #2 ever were. But I do like that with her weight comes better pressing. So here is hoping #3 and I have a long friendship in pressing.
But we will have to wait and see, Irons and me seem to have very fickle friendships :) If #3 and I don't get along very well I might have to consider looking for a replacement in the Royal Family of Irons. I hear Oliso is quite the Family name of Pressing!
Too cute Melissa. Nice to see you speak fondly about "old" irons.
ReplyDeleteSewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
Too Funny. I loved this :) If #3 doesn't work out, I got the Rowenta Costco carries, LOVE IT!!
ReplyDeleteLoved it.
ReplyDeleteI have a "him" so no big expections there...
Loved your post...
ReplyDeleteLike you I had an iron for years and after replacing it I have had several irons. None as good as my original one....
I have a Black and Decker, and it's been extremely reliable for 2-3 years now :)
ReplyDeletesuch a cute post!! :)
ReplyDeleteIve been toying with the idea of getting a reliable - they are $140 bucks but are supposed to be great - it has the auto off but waits 8 minutes which is key - when i'm peicing by the time I get back to the iron to press it has turned off half the time and irritates me to no end. anyone have any thoughts on the reliable irons/?
ReplyDeleteLOL, this is sooooooooooooo funny,
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute post - I have iron #3 and love it. I have had it for quite some time and have had no problems. I love the stainless soleplate and the auto shut off. Hope you have good luck with this one!
ReplyDeleteGreat story sounds somewhat familiar. One time I bought a very expensive well known brand of iron. It worked great for about a year and just after the warranty was up it quit. I then bought a much cheaper iron and after about two weeks it quit. I was beginning to think it was me. My current iron has been working well now for several years and it has the automatic shutoff which I love.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Hope you and #3 continue to get along for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI've had iron issues, too, but am reluctant to spend the big bucks for a Rowenta or an Oliso. Since my "big" iron started hissing and leaking and spitting hot water, I've been using my little travel iron. Not ideal.
I always used to be a Sunbeam girl, then I discovered the Singer steam station, saved up for a bit and then bought her. I adore her, not portable unfortunately, but does a brilliant job in my sewing room. I use her for pressing and also for ironing.
ReplyDeleteOh dear 3 irons already! We've had two so far. One got all scorched and the other is currently OK Though my Father hates it! =D
ReplyDeleteLove this! I have a Sunbeam that I bought about 9 years ago from Target for $14.99 or thereabouts, and it's still going strong!
ReplyDeleteThough I have used a Rowenta in the past, I gotta say I love my Oliso.
ReplyDeleteFabulous story! I have a similar one involving 3 irons! If you find that your last purchase - that lovely pudgy presser by Black and Decker - also bites the dust, try T-Fal. I ended up with a T-Fal as #3 and it has been a dream. She has 3-way auto shut-off (upright, face down, and on her side), self cleaning, a great series of steam settings, and get MIGHTY HOT for the right occasion. :o) She even has a little pointier nose than other irons to help press tight spots and make wandering seams lay flat as she approaches. Good luck with your pudgy #3, extra weight is good in an iron! :o)
ReplyDeleteHeather
PS: I was at Bed Bath & Beyond (in the USA) and found a Rowenta on sale for $50!!! In Canada the cheap Rowenta's start at $250 and go up from there - we expect to pay about $350-$380 for a half decent one. She is waiting patiently on the shelf in her box just in case the time comes when #3 gives it up too.
Hopefully #2 and #1 can learn to place nicely with each other! Silly irons...
ReplyDeleteIs #3 a Black & Decker? I had one and it worked great!
ReplyDeleteToo funny! I'm in the market for a new iron, so I'm glad to see the reviews! Looking forward to seeing how the new one pans out!
ReplyDeleteI have a shark, and I love it. yes that auto shut off can be annoying...butttttt I am so so good at forgetting, I am very happy it is there.
ReplyDeleteSparking irons are NO GOOD!! I had to replace mine (that I got as a wedding gift almost 18 years ago) just a few months ago (Feb I think) and can I say other than the fact my new one goes through water like it is breathing air I love it!! I got it at Farm & Fleet! LOL
ReplyDeleteshhhh she has a little weight on her as well! But I think she may be a little self concious about it!!
My mother has an iron similar to #3 and it has been a workhorse pressing pretty seams for close to 20 years now.
ReplyDeleteLol, may you have a long and happy relationship :oD
ReplyDeleteI so understand the constant issues. I went through something similar about 1 1/2 years ago when my old B&D died. I tried so many others that just didn't do the job well at all. I ended up buying a better Rowenta and we've been happy together every since. I hope this time #3 is the charm.
ReplyDeleteYou just started my Day with a smile with your Iron story.Thanks.I have a Rowenta and love it(touch wood when I say that)I have an old one in a closet not too far away from the Rowenta.
ReplyDeleteI just got a new Olisio and so far love it. I have an iron story. I got an Iron, EuroSteam about $150 from a quilt show which I got because it cannot burn anything including a baloon and I have a mother with Alzhiemers who still ironed at the time. One day I was ironing and somehow it ended up on the rug turned on and was there for 3 days at least. Not sure how that happened but it did not burn the rug at all, faded it a bit but that was it. I still use this iron but it is great for steaming but not for fusing applique and other things. It saved my carpet and possibly my house.
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