7/8/10

Universal Travel Iron

This is my new collectible. I bought it to go with my Singer Featherweight. It works great and I don't see any reason that I shouldn't use it occassionally, which is about how often I would use the featherweight away from home (if I'm at home, I'm using my fancy "no-worry" iron that keeps itself hot and then turns itself off).

Here it is in the original plastic case. The only documentation I can find is that this iron dates to the 20's or 30's. But, there's no date in the box on it.

The handle swings up and locks in place and you press the little red button in the lower left corner to release it and lay it back down.


The cord is in pristine condition and the face of the iron is clean and scratch free.


The way it works is that you plug it in and it gets hot and the guage registers how hot. There's a setting for "too hot" in red and the instructions say not to let it stay there too long or it will damage the iron. I heated it up the other day and then timed how long it took to cool down. It only took about a minute and a half to heat up to the high setting recommended for cotton and then it stayed hot long enough that I could have ironed most of a shirt. That would be a pain except that it heats up so quickly. And, my experience with quilting is that I use an iron for short bursts, and this iron is great for that.



The plastic box itself is too big for my Featherweight case. I don't have the case with the removable tray. But, without the plastic box, it will slip down beside my machine easily. I plan to make a denim bag for it so it doesn't scratch. Now, I just have to find a class to take it and my featherweight to.
I thought I got a great price because I've seen this one and similar irons on ebay for $50 to $100. But, that's because I was looking at them with the featherweight machines. Today, I did a search on just travel irons and found you can get one of these for about $15 including shipping. But, if you do a search under featherweight iron, the same iron is $80 to $100.

I wonder how many times I've fallen for something like that on ebay. Oh, well, this is not the time to think about that or to question the bargains I think I've gotten. Right now, I'm going to enjoy this one and still think of it as a bargain.
Take care and have a great Vintage Thingie Thursday. Lane

16 comments:

lw said...

If you want to come out to Santa Clara in October, John Flynn is teaching classes at PIQF. I'd love to meet you and your iron. I'm taking his Wheel of Mystery class on 10/15.

Shirley said...

Very nice Lane. It's in great condition. You never know on eBay. The face of that iron is cleaner and shinier than any iron I've ever owned.

Paulette said...

That's a beautiful old travel iron, and it's great you're going to get some use out of it!

Tammy said...

Great vintage travel iron Lane in pristine condition. I was hoping to see a photo of your featherweight as well. Have a great vintage Thursday. ;-)

Olive said...

I think the seting of " too hot" is too funny. I am glad you will enjoy it. Have a great Vintage Thingie Thursday. ~olive

Unknown said...

I have a travel iron that one of my neighbors gave me. It is not old like yours, but it is about the same size. I keep in next to my machine for little projects. I like not having to get up and down all of the time. I have taken it to a few classes with me and enjoyed have ready access to it and not having to wait in line to iron. I know you will enjoy yours and I am sure you will find a class so that you can show off your new toy.

Becky said...

That is really neat. I'll bet it had never been used!! Great find!

LV said...

That is neat little travel iron. I have had them in the past, but not like this.

Sally Annie Magundy said...

Oh! That's so charming! And how great that it's not only something to be admired but something useful for you as well. Enjoy!

Happy VTT,
Sally

Shay said...

If you're happy with it Lane, it was still a bargain.

Maybe I should start taking some classes so I can buy a travel iron...

Coloradolady said...

Lane, what a neat iron.....great find!!

Well, thanks for your comment on washing fabrics first, I think I will start to do the same with the fabrics....

I found this lady who lives about 2 miles from my house. She sells online quilt fabric, well, she had a ad on craigslist for fabrics (quilt) fabrics in the 3-8 dollar range. I just purchased a bag full and plan to go back next week. She has the 118 width for backings at 10.00 a yard. She has a lot of P&D Textiles and had a room full of fabric, she said that was only 1/4 what she had....I am going to buy some white and cream for a couple of quilts and that is a bargain at $4.00 a yard....so.....I guess I'll be washing....

So much of my stash fabrics have not been washed...guess I should do that too, I just don't want to have any run after washing! This lady had people ride up here from Houston and load up on fabric....my head was spinning!!!!!

Have a great day!!! And Happy VTT!

Postcardy said...

I think your iron is cute, but it sounds kind of hard to use.

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

super cool find! hows the weight? is it heavy?

Rebecca Everett said...

How funny the "too hot" setting. What a great find.

Gayle said...

Now why didn't I think of that. I too have a travel iron. It was my grandmother's and probably not as vintage as your because it has a plastic water bottle that screws to the side of the iron for steam. What I never thought of was to use it for small piecing projects with the table top ironing board.

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