Pressing does not stop just because you leave your sewing room. Whether you are heading to a retreat, a guild sew day, a class, or a vacation home, the Compact Steam Travel Iron Dual Voltage — the Rowenta DA1560 — packs the benefits of a full-sized Rowenta into a small iron that travels easily and still delivers powerful steam.
What the Compact Steam Travel Iron Is
This is a compact steam iron built for portability without giving up performance. Powerful steam is generated at a constant rate for optimal efficiency, and a burst of steam button helps remove tough wrinkles. The microsteam stainless steel soleplate has a precision tip for reaching narrow edges, seams, and collars — exactly the tight spots quilters and sewists press most often.
It has a full range thermostat for use on all fabric types, and vertical steam capability to remove wrinkles in hanging garments. The transparent tank holds over 2 ounces of regular tap water, so you can see the water level at a glance. The handle folds flat for storage, a dual voltage switch ensures the iron is powerful at 120 or 230 volts, and a travel pouch is included. Packaged weight is 2.5 pounds.
Why Quilters and Sewists Use It
Retreats and classes rarely offer enough full-size irons for everyone, and sharing a pressing station slows every project down. A compact iron gives you your own pressing spot beside your machine, so you can set seams, press units flat, and keep blocks accurate as you sew. The precision tip slips into seam intersections, narrow sashing, and collar edges, while the burst of steam tackles stubborn creases in fabric folded in a project bag. Dual voltage also makes it a smart companion for international travel, since it works at either 120 or 230 volts.
How to Use It
- Set the voltage. Before plugging in, move the dual voltage switch to match your location — 120 volts or 230 volts — so the iron runs at full power safely.
- Fill the tank. Add regular tap water to the transparent tank, which holds over 2 ounces. Check the level through the tank wall before you start.
- Choose your temperature. Use the full range thermostat to select a heat setting suited to your fabric, and let the iron heat fully before pressing.
- Press seams and units. Lay your work flat, set the iron down on the seam, hold briefly, then lift and move on. Use the precision tip to reach narrow edges, seams, and corners without disturbing the fabric around them.
- Use the steam burst for tough wrinkles. Press the burst of steam button over stubborn creases, and rely on the constant steam rate for everyday pressing.
- Try vertical steam for garments. Hold the iron upright to steam wrinkles out of hanging garments — handy for freshening clothes in a hotel room.
Practical Tips
Keep a small pressing mat beside your machine at retreats so your travel iron always has a safe surface. Refill the tank before a long pressing session rather than mid-block, and test the temperature on a scrap when you switch fabric types. When pressing small units, let each piece cool flat for a few seconds before stacking, so the crease stays set.
Care and Storage
Let the iron cool completely before packing it away. Fold the handle flat, slip the iron into its included travel pouch, and store it in your retreat tote where it will not be crushed. Emptying the tank before longer storage helps keep the iron fresh for its next trip, and a quick check of the soleplate before pressing light fabrics protects your work.
Project Ideas
Bring it to quilt retreats and guild sew days for pressing pieced blocks, sashing, and borders as you go. Use it in classes to keep up without waiting for a shared iron, for garment sewing where the precision tip shines on collars and seams, and for travel touch-ups on hanging clothes. It is equally handy in a small apartment or RV sewing setup where a full-size iron is more tool than you have room for.
Shop the Compact Steam Travel Iron Dual Voltage at Linda's Electric Quilters.
