¶ Introduction
An iron is used for making cloth flat or for pressing folds into cloth. It is named for the heavy iron sole on the bottom of the tool.
¶ Shop Access
A membership or day pass is required to access the Textiles shop.
The Shop Safety Class Sewing 1 Shop Safety is required before using the iron.
¶ Machine Overview
This iron has temperature control dial and a steam control button. The dial sets the temperature of the iron (materials and temperature chart provided further below). The button lets water into the iron, which converts it to steam and pushes it through the holes in the bottom and into the material under the iron.
¶ Parts of the Machine
Click to see a labled diagram of the parts of the iron!
¶ Machine Reservations
This tool does not need to be reserved
¶ Material Considerations
¶ Acceptable Materials:
100% natural materials such as cotton and linen and silk.
¶ Use with Caution and Proper Technique:
mixed natural and synthetic materials such as cotton/poly mixes.
¶ Forbidden Materials:
faux leather.
¶ Safety and Setup
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
• Sturdy, close-toed shoes must be worn at all times.
• Long hair, jewelry, and loose clothing must be tied back.
For more information on shop safety visit "Safety" on the Textiles main page.
The iron is a temperature tool. Do not touch any metal parts on the iron before using it, while using it, or immediately after using it. There is no visual indicator that distinguishes between 'off' and 'at temperature'. It can and will burn you if you handle it carelessly.
¶ Step-by-Step Guides
¶ Before You Begin
The iron should already be plugged in with the water flow turned to on.
- Turn the switch on the power switch on the floor under the ironing board to on. This will turn on the light and the iron.
- Make sure the power switch on the iron is set to on (the top edge pressed in) and the heat indicator light on the switch is on/blinking.
- Set the temperature dial to desired number as described below iun the temperature table.
- Wait until the heating indicator light turns off.
- The iron is now ready for use.
¶ Using the iron
- Lay your material out on the ironing board. Make sure that the material is flat, with no accidental folds or wrinkles.
- Place the iron on the material and start sliding it over the material.
- Work from the center outward, making sure to not linger in any one area to avoid burning the material.
- Be sure to place the iron back on the silicon pad to the right of the ironing board.
¶ Using the steam feature
The steam feature forces steam through the material below the iron to set the fabric.
- Press the button on the side of the handle for steam.
- Press and release the button on a 1 second interval.
¶ Maintenance
Maintenance can be done by members. If you are not comfortable performing the maintenance and you think it needs to be done, please find a Community Technician to help you and make sure it gets done right.
- Refill water reservoir.
- Refill demineralizer in reservoir.
- Clean iron plate.
- Change water filter.
¶ Troubleshooting
- No steam- water in reservoir? Hose tangled?
- No heat- all the power switches set to on?
¶ References
¶ Temperature Reference
| Dial Scale | Temperature | Range | Recommended Fabrics | Tag Symbol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 80C° | 176F° | Low | Silk and delicate fabric |  |
| 2 | 110C° | 230F° | (80C° ~ 120C°) | Silk and delicate fabric | |
| 3 | 140C° | 284F° | Medium | Cotton and Wool |  |
| 4 | 170C° | 338F° | High | Linen, Yarn & thick fabric |  |
| 5 | 210C° | 410F° | (180C° ~ 210C°) | Linen, Yarn & thick fabric | |
¶ Manual
Hot-Steam® SGB700 Gravity Fed Iron