Buying a steam press

JanF | Posted in Equipment and Supplies on January 2, 2007 02:31am

Can anyone recommend a really good ironing press?
I bought one for school – which is ok – but then school paid for it so cost wasn’t a big issue –
however I want hubby to buy me one (I refused it for a Xmas pressie!!! – well not really – but I gave enough dire warnings to all and sundry within his hearing about men buying their wives “useful” presents and he took the hint – silver necklace and earings much more acceptable!)
although I am prepared to buy a press myself!!
I do wonder if you have more experience than I and would be able to give guidance.
The main issue – is that I want a good quality one for household pressing- but with the facility for pressing all the intricacies of garment construction too.I notice the Elna press has a sleeve board which flips up – but its a lot more expensive.
I wonder if using the pads offered as incuded with other options would do the trick as well? I imagine they would – a bit like pressing hams really – but as I dont know anyone else with presses – i would appreciate any pointers at all!
At the moment I favour a PF-PSP 202E from Joysewingmachines.co.uk (japanese producer)but also quite like the sound of a domotec 3000 – any one got one?

Replies

aussiejo | Jan 03, 2007 04:22am | #1
i have a laura star - much more like an ordinary ironing board than an elna press - but steam to die for - complete with fan - and came with an sleeve board.

have had it for about 5 years - love it to bits - took a bit of getting used to but would buy one again tomorrow (and it cost a bomb)

good luck

JanF | Jan 04, 2007 01:19pm | #2
Sorry I thought I'd replied - but it doesn't appear so I must not have clicked to send! I found your ironing system - but I really wanted a press - neck problems aggravated by ironing motion - so I want to take an easy option for the basic laundry - but with the facility for pressing darts etc. under construction when dressmaking. I'll keep looking but thanks anyway!
Jan

alotofstitches | Jan 08, 2007 08:52pm | #3
Sorry to tell you but I find my EuroPro nearly useless for gen. ironing. I thought it would be great for starched jeans--no, ok on big parts of shirts but have to do detail with hand iron. I do use it all the time for table cloths, napkins, etc. and pressing fabric that I've laundered before cutting. And of course I use it to fuse interfacings--the whole reason I bought it since I sew professionally and do a lot of suits, jackets, etc. It's wonderful for that and the tablecloths.

JanF | Jan 08, 2007 09:56pm | #4
Oh Dear - thanks for that - any reason why general ironing no good - too fiddly - I am a bit aprehensive I wont do some things quite the way I used to - but I thought if all else fails I might make myself some hams to use with one - would this be a prob. do u think?

alotofstitches | Jan 08, 2007 11:23pm | #5
Have you ever looked at shirts done at the laundry--well they are not as nice looking as hand finished shirts. Now for starched shirts I'll gladly send to laundry but mine are steam pressed and I like the hand finished look rather than going from big press back to ironing board for small details. Jeans--could do only the legs so back to ironing board again! It came with prssing pads for sleeves but I prefer to use them with my hand held Rowenta for suits, etc. I never send to cleaners for pressing anymore. Some laudromats have coin operated pressers about the size of mine and others--take some items and try ironing on that to see how well you like it. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase--my EuroPro was THE ONLY STEAM press at the time, most were just hot presses not steam. Now the steam doesn't work very well even tho I followed directions exactly so I'd avoid paying for that and when it did work fine, for cottons I still spritzed to get a better look. FYI $319. in 1997. I also purchased a Rowenta garment steamer for bridal sewing--you steam from behind the fabric with beading/motifs, etc.--works very well, but at the time I seriously considered the Rowenta steam generator. It really pours out the steam and I have 2 friends that love theirs. I nixed that idea because I didn't want the weight of a heavy iron trying to steam a big wed gown--mine has only a nozzle similar to a vacuum uphol. attachment which is a lot lighter. Hope this helps!