Of course! And always at the worst time. :) I always use a spray bottle of water, too. Every steam iron I've owned, no matter how expensive, started sputtering and dribbling and only making steam when it felt like it (which is not often) - and usually pretty soon after purchase. I also don't put much stock in online reviews.

My current iron is a Sunbeam. Its temperature knob has gotten almost impossible to turn, so thank goodness it's on the setting I use most. It's also pretty heavy. Next iron will be another inexpensive B&D or such.

Glad you like the T-Fal iron!

Donna

I have a Tfal and it's starting to disintegrate from age and heat. I bought another one just like it, just a different color/newer. I rarely use steam and noticed when I do, it blows lint out the holes, eeek! That leaves stains unless you notice and lift it out immediately with sticky tape. Saving the new one until the old one dies.

I'm with Sharon. I buy cheaper models. I have had so many irons...and some of them were not cheap!!..... and they all seem to have problems.

~Geraldine

I had a high dollar one I bought at a quilt show. Absolutely hated that thing!! I did get a small portable (no water involved) that I do like. A few quilt retreats ago, Jennifer brought a Black and Decker that was awesome! I found one at Big Lots for about $20 and its the best one I've ever owned. I agree, cheap is good :-)

I've not had an iron I've ever been happy with until a few years ago. This may sound terrible, but we found a Rowenta in my SIL storage unit after she had passed away...best darn iron I've ever used!

I took a quilting class a few years ago and the first words out of the instructors mouth were , " Ladies, Do Not use steam for piecing or quilting...period end of discussion". She went on and on about how it stretches your cottons etc.....then I go to my first retreat and everyone is using steam?..I was surprized. As a normal rule I don't use steam, but I really think it has to do with the way you press....any thoughts on steam or dry iron?

V.

The way my quilting buddy that taught me how tells it, its how you press. I did stop using steam over the last year though. I keep a spray bottle on the ironing board. Fewer mishaps! Guess I might try the new iron out with steam when I'm prepping a quilt top for spray basting...hope I'm not sorry!

I found a little travel iron at the local thrift store for $5. It does not have steam. I have used it just recently and it seems to work well on blocks. But I do haul out my T Fal when I need to press larger pieces.

Theresa