Had one for years, almost never used it. My sister does all the linens for the church and she was ecstatic when I told her she could have mine, and remains very happy with it. Guess it depends on what type of ironing you do.
Sounds like the ironing presses have their good points and their bad points and I understand they are great for large items that can be flattened out. I could have used one years ago when DHDon was teaching and then again when we were both working in the tutoring business but money and space were the big issues. It seems to me that your daughter could certainly use one to make that shirt-ironing job easier.
I wouldn't use one now because my ironing tasks are mainly smaller and more fiddly and I prefer to fold while the clothes are still warm from the sun or the drier.
I do know one person who was given an ironing press for a pressie by her large family of sons - couldn't help thinking at the time that maybe they could have learnt to use the iron themselves and saved their mother all that work.
AlmaG.
Interesting question. I had been wondering about that as I saw one in a second hand store, but didn't get it (was marked at $35) as I wasn't sure I'd like it and I would also want to make sure it was working and didn't have time to stop and check it
I had an Elna Press for about 25 years, was still working well and gave it to my sister when Bernina gave me, as a gift with my Artista640, a lovely Bernina Steam Press and I love to use it. Especially for sheets, pants, shirts, t-shirts, pillowcases. It does not do well on small pleats, but it is a blessing to me.
I have had one for years. Had a singer and broke down a few years ago. Missed it soooo much that I bought a new one last year. Soooo pleased to have one again.
I do all shirts, just do the collars by hand. trousers I just do the top by hand and than lay on the fold on the press and straight away wonderful pressed trousers. Do sheets. Put them at the back and slowly pull forward. To me it is a life saver as I hate ironing lol. Must say if I make a garment myself I use the hand iron to open the seam up.
Keep telling daughter in law to get one though, she is always busy and would be such a help.
I bought mine to do quilting. Such a pleasure as I liked applique which I could do an entire block. Also ironed clothes and it was nice. I put it up on top of my ironing board when in use and under when not. I would have gotten the largest one they make had I know I would love it. Try to iron in a room where you have a ceiling fan as it gets hot. Betty
I have a Elna press, and I used it to press pants, jeans, everything except shirts and small clothes, for these I use a sunbeam steam iron. Never had a problem with my Elna, used it for about 25 years and still going on. Hugs Marie
I have one and would not like to be without it. I bought it to apply iron-on stabilizers, so much faster than using a normal iron. I also use it for things like napkins, doilies, tablecloths, tea towels (yes, I iron tea towels), pressing pants, etc., but iron shirts and small clothing items with a (steam) iron.
Yes I have an Elna Press that is now over 30 years old, I find it indispensable when I have a lot of ironing to do, especially mens shirts and jeans and anything requiring real pressing, like linen.
I bought a Laura Star steam system but hate that it runs out of water and you have to let it cool down completely before refilling the steam reservoir.
I also bought the very latest Sunbeam steam/dry and spray iron and found they have improved considerably since the last one I had.
BTW, I loathe, hate and despise ironing. It's the biggest waste of time and money and I'd rather put the washing in the dryer and reduce the need to iron them. :-)
I have one and it is fine. Must really be careful when placing items so as not to get hands burned. Mostly use it for pressing new fabric after initial washing. It really does a nice pressing job.
Depending on the chemicals in your water you might need to use distilled.
I have mine on a wire stainless steel rolling cart that came from Sam's Club.
Marcelle
I used to have one Vicki, but gave it away as I found it a bit cumbersome and preferred the ordinary iron. Meganne has one, but I don't know if she uses it!
By the way I absolutely love to IRON!!!!!
Love and blessings Chris
I must be one in a million (LOL) as I love ironing. Having an ironing press would not suit me - wonderful for sheets I would imagine.
actually I am thinking more of my daughter who has toooooooo many shirts to iron!! I don't mind ironing too much, especially now that i don't have much.
me too had one for many years when the children were at home t shirts and jeans tablecloths etc great bur really do not need it now.....soozie
My daughter has just so many shirts to iron, it's unbelievable that one family could use so many
know what you mean my husband was a teacher would come home at lunch shower clean shirt after school again there is 3 a day for starts and two sons doing much the same it seemed to be endless.....they have all left home now just d/h and me bliss....lol...soozie
had one when the kids were little. was great for tops & pants. Not so good for dresses or hubby's work shirts. I wouldn't get one again but then I don't iron much any more either. xx
We had a huge one when I was growing up. They are tricky to learn, but once you get the hang of it, they are really good for large items like sheets and pillow cases. The one we had must have been from a laundry or something. I could really get going on it, but it was a hot job. Now I really feel frustrated ironing pillowcases with a regular iron because it is so slow. It did take up lots of room.
I to have one and i haven't used it in years i use it when i am appliqueing a quilt .I liked it but it took up more room then my iron :):)
That's what I was thinking--they take up a lot of room. Might be harder to lose than an iron.
Yes, I have a Singer home model and love it. I bought it at a church thrift sale thinking I would use it in my quilting. As it has turned out that is seldom the case but it can do a week's worth of pants & jeans, shirts and pillowcases in about 1/2 hour.
Now this is what I need to know. Does it do the jeans and long sleeved cotton shirts? Thankyou
Nope, don't own one. Thought about buying one. Mostly I would want it for quiltmaking, but I'm not sure how useful it would really be, as I would press the block after stitching, trim it with a rotary cutter, then press it again I suppose.
Vicki, I don't hae one - but would love to find out - what you find out.