Quilters always look for the best irons to remove wrinkles and creases from their fabrics before working on them. Most quilters prefer steam irons over dry ones, so they buy professional steam irons as part of their quilting tools.
This is a comprehensive buying guide with reviews of five of the best irons for quilting.
Want to See Everything at Once? Here are Our Top Picks:
1. Mueller Professional Grade Steam Iron
Mueller Professional Grade Steam Iron1
Buy NowThe Mueller Professional Grade retractable steam iron is a favorite among many quilters for its high wattage and quick heating time. This professional steam iron is equipped with 1500 watts and 110 volts, making it regenerate steam in just three seconds.
Other features quilters love about this iron include the stainless steel soleplate, which glides smoothly over all fabrics type, and the eight-foot long retractable cord, which makes storage easy.
Pros
- Has a retractable cord that enhances easy storage
- Has a three-way auto shutoff feature for safety
- Equipped with a spray button at the top of the handle and a steam button underneath the handle to serve different steaming purposes
- It is easy to use
- Has a self-cleaning feature and great temperature control
Cons
- The plastic tank cover is not very strong and can break if not handled gently
This iron lives up to its reputation with its fast heating time, anti-scale feature, temperature settings, and several other features that ease the ironing process for quilters. In addition, every feature is designed to attain a balance between different types of ironing needs.
2. Panasonic NI-WL600
Panasonic NI WL600 Multi Directional Stainless Soleplate
Buy NowMore people are considering cordless irons and the Panasonic NI-WL600 caters to this group. The iron is small but weighs 4.4 pounds, which means it can remove stubborn wrinkles from your quilt. It has steam and dry settings with 1500 watts of power. The Panasonic NI-WL600 is an excellent choice for a quilter who moves around a lot and wants a quality iron that won’t hold her back.
Pros
- It is portable and has a heat-resistant carrying case for moving and storage
- Has a diverse setting for heat, steam, and dry ironing purposes
- Vertical steaming feature for hanging clothes
- Non-stick dual-tipped stainless steel soleplate to remove tough wrinkles
- 360 degrees cordless option allows movement in any direction
Cons
- Has no indicator light
The Panasonic NI-WL600 is a top choice for many quilters because it is cordless. The ease of movement also cannot be underestimated when you have to move around as you iron every stubborn wrinkle from your quilt. It is one of the best irons for quilting because of its diversity and ease of use.
3. Oliso TG1600 Pro Plus
Oliso TG1600 Pro Plus
Buy NowOliso has some of the best irons for quilting in the market right now, and the TG1600 Pro Plus is one of them. This product is engineered with an auto-lift function that uses patented scorch guards to lift the iron, preventing it from burning your fabrics. In addition, Oliso’s quilting irons are unique as they come with diamond ceramic-flow soleplates that glide smoothly across your fabrics.
Pros
- It has 1800 watts of power to heat up quickly and remove the toughest wrinkles
- Anti-drip system to prevent leaks on fabrics surfaces
- 12.7 oz side water tank that is easy to refill
- 12ft iron cord with 360-degree swivels for easy movement
- Three-year warranty with a cooperative customer support team
Cons
- It is expensive
- Occasional complaints of leaks
The Oliso Pro Plus smart iron is undoubtedly one of the best irons for sewing and quilting. The iron has more power, heat speed, water tank capacity, and cord length than most competitors. The iron is fabulous for people who have long ironing sessions and don’t want their tasks disrupted frequently due to ironing problems.
4. Oliso M2 Mini Project Steam Iron
Oliso M2 Pro Solemate Turquoise
Buy NowAnother classic Oliso quilting iron is the M2 Mini Project steam iron. This iron is lightweight and equipped with only 1000 watts of power. However, what it lacks in power, it makes up for in other impressive features such as the dual voltage, quick heating time, 8 ft 180-degree pivot cord, and powerful burst of steam to remove even the toughest wrinkles.
Pros
- Efficient diamond ceramic soleplate with precision tip
- Accurate temperature settings for different types of fabrics
- High-temperature silicone stand to store iron during and after use
- Several colors to choose from
- Three-year warranty with a service team always ready to help
Cons
- The handle can get too hot for comfort
- The steam function can be cumbersome due to the steam button and few steam holes
The Oliso M2 Mini Project steam iron is a compact model from the popular brand known for its travel-friendliness. While this iron does not have as much power as full-sized irons, it is packed with enough features to make it a great choice for quilters.
5. IIMII Mini Travel Steam Iron
IIMII Powerful Non Stick Soleplate Quilting
Buy NowThe IIMII Mini Travel steam iron makes our list of the best irons for quilting due to its great functionality. This is the perfect travel iron as it only weighs 1.1 pounds and can fit into a small pack. Despite being a mini iron, it has 420 watts of power and produces powerful continuous steam with the one-touch steam control knob. In addition, this iron has an automatic indicator light and dual voltage, which enables you to use it in any part of the world.
Pros
- Compact design and easy to store
- Has dual voltage for easy use in any part of the world
- Features automatic indicator light, which helps to signify the current temperature of the iron
- Anti-slip handle, temperature control, and vertical steaming features
- Easy to use
Cons
- The labeling is not easy to view due to poor color contrast
There are not many downsides to this compact iron, which is why many quilters like to have one on hand. It is very easy to carry when traveling, and some use it for quick pressing or ironing in their regular workspaces.
Things to Know Before You Buy an Iron for Quilting
Every quilter needs a reliable iron for its craft. However, before settling for one, you should ensure its capability suits all your needs. If you are unsure what to consider when buying an iron for quilting or sewing projects, read this section carefully. Here, we have explained some things you should know before buying an iron for quilting.
Dry or Steam
At first, every quilter is only interested in steam ironing. However, there are many instances when quilters have to use dry irons during their work. You may be unsure whether to go for a dry or steam, as you may need both along the line. An easy solution is to buy an iron that serves both purposes.
Many irons require you to fill the water tank when you need to release a shot of steam but leave it empty when dry ironing. Some have a steam setting that will release bursts of steam only when you press the steam button. Consider the one that best appeals to you and add other factors.
Power
What makes an iron is the amount of power it can produce. As a quilter, you need to confirm the wattage of the iron you are about to buy before making payment. Average irons have about 1000 watts while the more powerful ones have 1500 to 1800 watts. The importance of this factor is that the more wattage your iron has, the more powerful it is.
The power function will matter most when you have to iron many quilts and need your iron to get you through hours of ironing time without hindrance.
Weight
The weight of an iron matters to quilters. The heavier iron is, the easier it is to remove stubborn wrinkles from fabrics. Therefore, quilters love irons that are at least three pounds. The major task is getting an iron with the right weight for comfort.
The weight enables the iron to press down harder on tough wrinkles and remove them with minimal effort from the person. This will reduce the strain on your wrists and enable you to iron for longer.
Soleplates
The soleplate is an essential part of an iron and must be seriously considered when purchasing one for quilting. It’s especially important to consider the material used to manufacture the soleplate. Stainless steel is the most common material, but iron brands like Oliso prefer ceramic soleplates.
The size and shape of a soleplate also matter greatly when deciding on the best iron for quilting. It has to be large enough to cover a lot of fabric at once and enable excellent steam distribution. Soleplates also come in different shapes, but you may prefer precision tips because they allow you to reach wrinkles in small corners like the seams of the fabric.
Heat Settings
Before buying an iron, make sure it has the right heat settings for your desired purpose. Start by confirming how quickly it heats up and how long it takes to reach its maximum heat level. Then, consider the ease of changing the heat setting to suit a variety of fabrics. For example, the best irons for quilting have different heat levels for cotton, wool, nylons, etc. Each of these materials requires a different level of heat when ironed.
Safety Features
Finally, you should check the safety features of your iron. Irons are common household appliances but can cause fires if used irresponsibly.
Most manufacturers equip their irons with auto shut-off features for safety. Check if your iron has an anti-off feature and other safety features such as non-stick soleplates and retractable cords.
Once you’ve considered the above features, you can explore other features like durability, control panels, water capacity, and power cord length. These extra features should determine your choice of iron.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of iron is best for quilting?
Many quilters prefer steam irons for quilting, but there are times when dry irons are the go-to option. If you want the best ironing experience as a quilter, you should invest in a modern iron that serves both purposes. In the sections above, we have examined some of the best irons for quilting. Other irons also provide great ironing experiences for quilters.
What is the best small quilting iron?
Sometimes, quilters want a small iron to press a crease out of the fabric’s seam. In such instances, many quilters prefer small quilting irons requiring little fuss. Sometimes, these small quilting irons are needed during travels for their compact sizes and travel-friendly features.
Best Iron for Quilting
Mueller Professional Grade Steam Iron
Mueller Professional Grade steam iron is one of the best irons for quilting. This iron has 1500 watts of power and boasts several other key features that make for a smooth ironing experience.
Panasonic NI-WL600
This is another powerful iron with non-stick stainless steel soleplates and great steaming capacity. The Panasonic NI-WL600 is a heavy, cordless iron with 360 degrees of mobility and a vertical steaming function.
Oliso TG1600 Pro Plus
Oliso has great quilting irons, and the TG1600 Pro Plus is one of their best. This iron has advanced technology with 1800 watts of power, a large water tank, a 12 ft retractable cord, and a three-year warranty.
Oliso M2 Mini Project Steam Iron
Oliso M2 Mini Project steam iron is one of the best small quilting irons on the market. It has just 1000 watts of power but boasts a great soleplate and temperature control as favorite features.
IIMII Mini Travel Steam Iron
Another small iron for travelers and quick pressing tasks. IIMII mini travel steam iron is the perfect iron for travel with its small size, dual voltage, vertical steaming function, and lightweight.
Final Thoughts
Irons are an essential part of the quilting process. Therefore, you must be thorough when buying an iron for quilting. We have curated this list of the best irons for quilting to include various types. Traditional irons like the TG1600 Pro Plus focus on power and strong functions.
Meanwhile, others like IIMII Mini Travel Steam Iron & Oliso M2 Mini Project Steam Iron are engineered for portability.
