micajah Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 Although I don't care for doing T shirt quilts all that much, seems like that is all the work coming my way these days. So, I'm thinking it would be helpful to give my iron a break and buy a heat press.Using the iron, it takes me all day to prepare shirts. Ebay and Amazon have lots of them listed for sale, but the make and models are either generic or not listed in the descriptions. So, I'm asking for recommendations on make, model and size of heat press to get. My budget is low, around $250 to $300. Thanks in advance! Debbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 I purchased a used HIX 16"x20" platen clamshell heat press 12 years ago on eBay for $450. Shipping cost me almost $100 then so not sure what services there may that are different now. I've never had a lick of problems with it, and I've used it for dye sub work as well as heat transfer applications for embroidery, quilting, etc. I'm using it right now for a t'shirt quilt for a graduation gift, and it makes the tedious work of pressing the interfacing a breeze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micajah Posted April 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 Well, I went over to Amazon and looked at many presses and the reviews given on them. There is one called a "power press" that lots of people gave good reviews on and it is available under several distributors under several badged names. Similiar to how old sewing machine companies made and sold machines to department stores with a name they wanted on the machine. I don't need it to be fancy, just to heat up and press interfacing to t shirts. Have ordered this one, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IPTKRLA/ref=pe_385040_30332200_pe_309540_26725410_item. When it arrives and if it is ok, I'll give feedback here on it. Debbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethDurand Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 I bought one used on Craig's list, and it worked great for the first quilt. Then it just wouldn't get hot enough anymore. Bought an Artistic press from the local sewing machine store, and love it. I haven't used it much, but it surely saves time from trying to press all the interfacing onto the shirts with a regular iron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micajah Posted April 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 Beth, please don't tell me your first one was a powerpress..... I just bought one! It's new and had good reviews for the brand, hope it is not a dude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggienoella Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I'd love to see your review of the heat press. I'm looking at getting one too but have your budget. Thanks, Joan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I got a used heat press on my local craigslist. It's a tabletop model. I paid $75. I'm not home, so I can't tell you the brand. I spend a fraction of the time I used to on stabilizing. I think it was a good buy. I don't make that many tshirt quilts, but I wouldn't make any without this tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnavans Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Does the heat press have steam? Don't you have to use steam heat to bond the interfacing? I am very interested and would like to purchase one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micajah Posted April 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I am not sure if it has steam. Even if it turns out not to have that feature, a little spritz of water should take care of it. Will let you know. Should be here by wednesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinneaMarie Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I buy thin Pellon by the bolt at Joann's with a coupon and just iron it on the back of the T-shirts. I've done more than 30 T-shirt quilts this way. Works like a charm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnavans Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 LinneaMarie, Which Pellon do you use? I am working on one now and would like to do more. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 My heat press does have steam, I think. But I don't use it. I use 2 damp towels... underneath and on top of the tshirt/stabilizer to create steam and protect the lettering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micajah Posted May 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 HEAT PRESS UPDATE My heat press arrived today promptly at 4pm. By 4:26p it was heating up! instruction booklet said to heat the press with the press open. Never heat it closed as it could start a fire. It gave instructions to use for the heat settings for various materials with fabric being around 300F and for a time setting of 10 second. The press came with a teflon press cloth but I purchased a set of 3 from amazon which arrived yesterday. Those are nicer than the one that comes with the press. More translucent and easier to see thru for placement on top of the shirt. The press took about 10 minutes to heat up to the temperature setting. To iron the pellon inferfacing to the shirt, I placed a teflon press cloth on the bottom silicon pad, then the shirt face down, then the inferfacing, then another teflon press cloth. I did not use any water to wet the inferfacing. I was using pellon 906fw inferfacing. The one time I forgot to put the press cloth on top, the shirt wanted to pull up when the press was opened. Next, close the cover and push the handle down until it locks. It was hard to lock it. There is an adjustment to the pressure exerted on the pad and it can be changed by turning the knob counterclockwise to loosen it which I did. 10 seconds later the timer alarm sounded and I manually lifted the top off of the materials. The bond was perfect! The other 13 shirts I had to do were done in about 25 minutes and that included the time it took to cut the interfacing. I don't know how long this press will last, it was cheaper than any of the others, but it heats great all around the heat pad and for now, I am pleased with how easy it is to use. I just today had to toss a hand iron that died on me doing the last t shirt quilt. It is called a power press and it was sold by fancier studio on amazon. The one I ordered was supposed to be red and white and the box does say that it is, but it is more maroon and beige. It has thick silicon pad on the bottom which you can touch while the top undeside of the press is the element that heats up. The size is 15 x 15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnavans Posted May 1, 2014 Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 Thanks so much for the great information. I plan to get one. I am eager to start my next tshirt quilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.waits Posted May 1, 2014 Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 Congratulations! Sounds like this is going to be a real time saver for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted May 1, 2014 Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 Great news for you! You'll find other uses for your heat press also, such as prepping applique pieces, transfers, etc. Doing several pieces at one time with the same time and pressure helps with accuracy for me because with a regular iron I think I tend to get too heavy handed. Although my press was purchased mostly for my dye sub work it's also used as much for my sewing and quilting projects. Enjoy yours! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcclannan Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 Don't you just love new toys? Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micajah Posted May 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 Before the heat press, It would have taken hours to apply the interfacing to the shirt backs. I'm still in shock because it was over and finished so quickly. Anyone making t-shirt quilts should run, not walk to buy one of these timesavers, no matter what the brand. You'll make your money back fast! I can't believe it took me so long to decide to buy one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reazurra Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 Hi, Finding the best heat press machine isn't an easy option, i will recommend some of the best heat press machine Powerpress Industrial-Quality Digital 15 x 15-Inch sublimation for T-shirt. Oshion Clamshell 15 x 15-Inch Heat Press T-shirt Digital Transfer Sublimation Machine Mophorn Heat Press Machine 5 in 1 Multi function Transfer Sublimation 360 Degree Rotation 12 x 10-Inch this are the best options for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave124 Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 Here Same problem I have faced too. Budget is the main issue while selecting the product . But if you are looking for the home use you can buy in cheap price from different online stores. Powerpress can be the right option for you , or you can choose another one according to your need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryQuiltsTx Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 Thanks for the review Micajah. Always feel better when reading a "real" review since I've learned that a lot of them on line are fake. Please keep us updated as you get to use it more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micajah Posted August 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 Hi Mary, You are welcome. This is an old post from April 2014. Wanted to say, I am still using the same press. I've not had a minutes' problem with it. The heat is still even across the surface and I haven't found a need for a larger one at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegaslady Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 What a godsend these posts are! To hear you say that this is a tried-and-true product after years of use (especially without problems) saves us newbies SO much, in trial, tribulation, dollars and frustration! Many thanks for the update. I read the entire thread with such interest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cagey Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 What stabilizer have you found to work best on your T-shirt quilts? I would like to learn from your experiences, so I have a good outcome on my first T-shirt quilt. Thank you for the information in advance. Cagey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing bear Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 I use SF101, Shape-Flex fusible 100% cotton, purchased at Joann's for stabilizing the backs of t-shirts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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