Please Note: This Post Contains Affiliate Links

A great iron can improve your ability to make accurate, high quality stitches. By investing in an iron that's built for use on thinner, single layer products like a single layer of fabric, it's easier to get the outcome you want. Some irons are too hot, others are too heavy and quite frankly, most aren't made to last. 

Since starting Just Sewn, we've had the chance to test a handful of sewing products, and that includes irons. According to our tests, the best iron for sewing is the Rowenta DW 5080. This affordable, high quality iron is perfectly suited for single layer fabrics, as well as your everyday clothes. It has 400 steaming holes which helps disperse the heat across a larger area, preventing burning. 

If you're in the market for a new iron for sewing, here's a quick look at our top picks.

More About The Olisco TG1050

Olisco is making smart irons with iTouch technology includes. The scorch guards lower with your touch to keep you safe and lift when you're done the ironing. It's good that you have this safety feature since you'll be handling 1600 watts of power and three different kinds of steam settings. Choose your setting and let the stainless steel soleplate get to work gliding over your fabric.

>> Related Content: Best Industrial Sewing Machines

More About The Black & Decker D2030

Black & Decker is a household name for a reason. Even their irons are top-notch, with a stainless steel soleplate to glide smoothly, a comfortable grip handle, and a high steam rate. Customize your digital settings for the perfect amount of steam for any fabric. With this iron, everything is perfectly customizable for your needs.

>> Related Content: Best Handheld Sewing Machine

More About The Panasonic Cordless Steam Iron

Cordless irons are the way of the future: iron with all the freedom of moving in any angle or direction you need. The Panasonic Cordless works the same way as any other iron, but with a vertical steam feature that will relax wrinkles from hanging fabrics too. Just make sure that you detach the durable, large water tank now and again to give this steam iron distilled water to work.

More About The Shark Steam Iron

Shark makes some sleek-looking irons. Check out the accent red coloring in this steam iron, along with the 8.5-inch premium stainless steel soleplate. Every hole is arranged for an even distribution of steam to take advantage of all 1500 watts of power and 260 ml of distilled water  or tap water capacity. Glide smoothly over any fabric with the button-fit tip too.

More About The Steamfast SF-717

You can set your Steamfast on your ironing board and begin using it in only 15 seconds. The quick heat-up time makes this iron unique, along with the one-touch steam control. Use one of the three settings to use the Steamfast on any fabric, and in any country too. Since it has dual-voltage, you only have to adjust the voltage to travel with it.

More About The Singer Expert Steam Iron

Use the Singer Expert Steam Iron to distribute the steam evenly over your clothing without burning it via the stainless steel plate. Of course, the LCD temperature will help you keep your clothing in one piece too, meaning that you can use the Singer on all types of fabrics. The 360-degree swivel cord improves your convenience, along with the anti-drip design and open tip for ironing pleats or around buttons.

The Importance of Ironing for Sewing

Ironing, despite often being completely forgotten about, is an important step anytime using a sewing machine. There are a few key reasons. 

Creates a polished, professional appearance

For years, irons have been used to polish work attire and give clothing a new, wrinkle-free life. Using the best iron on sewing projects guarantees that the finished project will be wrinkle-free and have crisp, clean seams and folds. This gives those who see the finished project the impression that you, the creator, are professional and polished - not to mention proud of your handy work.

Can make precise stitching easier to accomplish

Sometimes, sewing projects require precise stitching. The best iron can help make achieving this easier, as they flatten creases and folds which allows you to see the entire area you're working with. It also helps you to avoid accidentally sewing the wrong parts together. 

Also, the wrinkle-reducing capabilities ensure a precise stitch, as the fabric isn't bunched up while being sewed.

Versatile

Irons can do more than just iron. They are also used for pressing, which is essential when it comes to creating clothing and other fabric-based pieces from scratch. This makes them versatile, offering two different usage methods. 

Features To Consider When Purchasing

Settings and controls

With so many potential projects that require ironing, having an iron with a diverse set of settings and controls is highly beneficial. Look for an iron with heat and steam settings. Keep an eye out for any other exciting settings and specific controls that contribute to the ease of use.

Tank capacity

Like mop buckets and vehicle has tanks, the water tanks in irons hold different volumes depending on the brand and specific model. Be mindful of this as you browse; if you’re using your iron for large projects opt for a bigger water tank that will need to be refilled less often. 

Weight

Ironing seems like an activity that lacks strain. It should be easy, right? Wrong. If you have an iron that is old and heavy or bulky, it can quickly fatigue your arms and make using it a pain. 

Look for an iron that is lightweight but still boasts the other features you need. Stainless steel is commonly used for the plates to cut weight. If you can't find a particularly light iron, opt for one that you can comfortably maneuver for extended periods. An iron that causes pain or fatigue is an iron that won't see the light of day very often.

Conclusion

Ironing should be a crucial step in every sewing project. It gives your work a clean appearance and it can make stitching less of a hassle. At the same time, it boasts the capabilities of both a traditional iron and a press. Just remember to be careful with heat settings so you can achieve the best finish.