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Review: Why I kicked my Rowenta to the curb

by

Panasonic iron

I have to admit, I was not thrilled about receiving a Panasonic iron to review. After all, I own a Rowenta. Even so, I dutifully set up a sewing day with my daughter to try it out. We planned to embellish some onsies and burp rags, yes very quick and easy. Arriving at her house with the thing still in the box, I was not prepared for what I discovered. The Panasonic NI-L70SR Cordless Iron is a dream. It’s pretty and smartly designed.

How clever of it to come with a carrying case – so handy for traveling to and fro. But by far the most appealing feature for me is that it’s cordless (the iron sits on a charging base with a retractable cord) so the cord stays out-of-the-way, plus the base is very stable. If you have a child and/or pet underfoot, you will not worry as much about them knocking the iron off the board and onto their heads.

burp rag resized

Here’s one of the burp rags I made while testing the iron. I embellished a plain diaper with some scraps of fabric. At first I worried the iron would not stay hot enough, but it did so nicely throughout the course of the project. It also reheats quickly after it auto shuts off. The steam feature works fine and is easy to fill with water.

Nothing is perfect and I do have some things I’d like to change. I wish the cord was longer and on the other end of the base. But that’s just me. All in all, I L-O-V-E this iron. I use it exclusively instead of my once cherished Rowenta. Yes, you know you want one of these irons. And I have good news. Panasonic is giving away an iron to a lucky Craft Gossip reader.

Stay tuned for giveaway details in a future post!

Comments

  1. Looking forward to hearing more about this. My iron is dying and I need to find a replacement.

  3. Enjoyed your review – I don’t think I’ve ever had an iron last more than 2 years. Most are not sturdy, can’t handle a lot of work, and leak like a sieve.

  9. Who knew in this day and age that it would be possible to get excited about an iron? But I am! Want this marvelous Panasonic cordless!

  10. I bought one of the Panasonics almost 18 months ago and I LOVE IT! I sew clothing, mostly and this little baby is superb – hot enough, great soleplate and you can use both ends to finish corners. I am so glad I bought this one.

  11. I have a cordless iron I received as a gift from my DH several years ago. I love it! In fact, I haven’t used my corded iron since.

  12. Love the burp cloths. I kicked my Rowenta to the curb a couple of years ago. Like the old grey mare….they ain’t what they used to be. I thought a cordless iron would not stay hot, so I am glad to read this review. Ironing is a chore so it is nice to find an iron that makes the job a bit easier.
    Deb

  14. I also had a Rowenta as I am a quilter and thought this was the end all be all. Well, not.It died and I now look for an iron the is heavy in weight as I think they press better. I would love to try this iron and being cordless is such a great feature.

  16. Do you have info on weight or pricing? Sounds promising, but I have been a Rowenta “lifer”.

  17. Wow, finally a cordless iron. Who wudda thunk! Thanks for a chance to win one. I have 2 of the pricey R irons.

  18. I’d love to hear more about thus iron. I have a Rowenta steam iron, but use my Maytag cordless iron for retreats and other projects. I’m glad to hear that there is a company other than Oreck that is making cordless irons. I bought my last cordless iron used on eBay!

  19. I could use a cordless iron when I go to crafting classes. What I always hate about irons is that they claim to be “dripless” but then my articles are always covered with water drops.

  20. THIS IS MY FAVORITE SEWING ITEM EVER!!! I have this iron and LOVE IT!!! i’ve had mine for a little over 3 years now and it’s still going strong (despite moving around the world 3 times!). It doesn’t drip, it heats up very nicely (not scorching but enough to get a great press!) and cords are so annoying! It’s so annoying to use my mom’s normal iron when I visit her. haha. If you are even remotely considering this iron, buy it!!!

  21. I had two high end Rowenta’s each lasting less than a year. I am one of the few that is so not going to buy a Rowenta ever again.

  22. I have only owned two irons, one when I went to college and my present one that I bought at a garage sale. Probably time to invest in one that will be good for my crafting and quilting that I’m doing now. This one looks perfect. 🙂

  23. This Iron sounds like the answer to nearly all my dreams, I say nearly because I would love it to come with a fairy who does the Ironing for me and then puts it all a way in the wardrobes and drawers for me as well.

  25. Would love to win this. My iron is past it’s use-by date and I would put a cordless model to very, very good use!

  26. New to quilting – need all the help I can get with tools, fabric and HELP! Would love to win this great iron to jump start my collection!

  29. I love my B&D but I go through irons regularly. I burn them up. I am a longarm quilter and so I piece regularly also. I don’t have an iron that turns itself off, because every time I need it it is cold. I am also notorious for leaving the iron on. I do however have it plugged into the same switch as my lights, this means when the lights are off the iron is off. This sounds like an iron worth trying!

  30. Sounds like a dream come true. And to think I used to think that ironing when sewing was not a necessity. Live and learn:) Got my fingers crossed that this cordless wonder might be in my future.

    in VT where irons do turn a gal’s head,
    the Vermonster

  31. I would love to win this iron. My current iron is over 20 years old and should retire. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Janet

  32. Would love to win this iron but, if I don’t this may be the next iron I purchase. Thanks for the chance to win…

  33. I cannot wait to read of the giveaway. Congratulations on the new grandbaby-to-be. Wishing a speedy delivery.

  35. Have always been happy with my Rowenta but it will need to be replaced soon. Thank you so much for the review.

  36. I have an eight year old granddaughter just learning to sew and what a joy to be able to work with her!!! The iron that I use is old and heavy. It would be great to let her use an iron that is easier and cordless to learn with. Thanks for the contest and I hope Q and I win!!!!

  39. Would love the opportunity to try this iron and love the fact it is cordless as my iron always gets tangled up in the telephone cord when I am ironing, yes I still have a phone with a cord! Nice of Panasonic to offer a give away and I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

  40. I have kicked many an iron to the curb and out into the street to be run over and put it out of its misery! I’d love this iron if it is all you say it is.

Have you read?

Marking Tools That Won’t Bleed or Ghost on Fabric (A Hobby Quilter’s Guide)

If you’ve ever finished quilting a beautiful project… only to find faint blue lines still staring back at you…

You know the panic.

Marking tools are one of those quilting notions we don’t think much about — until something doesn’t wash out.

And unfortunately, not all marking tools are created equal.

Some disappear perfectly.
 Some fade too fast.
 And some leave ghost lines that refuse to budge.

Let’s talk about how to choose the right marking tools — so your quilt is remembered for the stitching, not the stains.

Why Marking Tools Matter More Than You Think

Marking tools guide:

  • Straight quilting lines

  • Free-motion designs

  • Appliqué placement

  • Foundation paper piecing

  • Border alignment

Without them, accuracy suffers.

But using the wrong one can permanently affect your quilt top — especially on light fabrics.

For hobby quilters who invest hours into a project, safe marking choices matter.

The Most Common Types of Quilting Marking Tools

Here’s a simple breakdown of the main options and when they work best.

Water-Soluble Fabric Markers

These are among the most popular marking tools for quilting.

They:

  • Write clearly

  • Wash out with water

  • Work well on light fabrics

Best for:

  • Straight line quilting

  • Temporary placement marks

  • Detailed designs

Important tip:
 Always test on a scrap of the same fabric first. Some fabrics hold pigment longer than others.

Air-Erasable Pens

These fade naturally over time.

They’re great for:

  • Short-term marking

  • Quick projects

  • Small quilting sections

The downside?
 They can disappear before you’re finished — especially in warm climates.

They’re not ideal for large quilts that take several days to quilt.

Chalk Pencils & Chalk Wheels

Chalk is gentle and visible, especially on darker fabrics.

It:

  • Brushes away easily

  • Doesn’t penetrate fibres deeply

  • Works well for hand quilting layouts

Chalk wheels offer fine lines for precision marking.

Be sure to brush or rinse fully before pressing, as heat can set some chalks.

Hera Markers (No Ink at All)

Hera markers are underrated.

They:

  • Create a crease line rather than pigment

  • Leave no residue

  • Are ideal for straight-line quilting

They work beautifully on lighter fabrics and are perfect for quilters nervous about ink.

If you’ve ever worried about ghost marks, this tool feels very reassuring.

Heat-Erasable Pens

These disappear when pressed with an iron.

They’re popular for:

  • Detailed quilting designs

  • Visible but temporary lines

However, caution is important.

In very cold temperatures, marks can reappear. They usually fade again with warmth, but it can be unsettling if you’re not expecting it.

What Causes Marking Lines to “Ghost”?

Ghosting happens when:

  • Ink bonds with fabric fibres

  • Fabric sizing reacts with pigment

  • Marks are pressed before removal

  • The wrong tool is used for that fabric type

Light-coloured quilting cotton is usually forgiving.
 Dark or heavily dyed fabrics need extra caution.

Always test first.

Even experienced hobby quilters do this.

The Safest Approach for Hobby Quilters

If you want to minimise risk:

For light fabrics:
 Use water-soluble pens or hera markers.

For dark fabrics:
 Use chalk pencils or chalk wheels.

For long-term projects:
 Avoid air-erasable pens unless working in small sections.

And most importantly — remove markings before applying high heat.

Marking for Different Techniques

Straight-line quilting:
 Hera markers or water-soluble pens.

Free-motion quilting:
 Chalk pencils or fine water-soluble pens.

Appliqué placement:
 Light water-soluble markers.

Foundation paper piecing:
 Usually no marking needed, but chalk can help with alignment.

Different tools suit different stages — you don’t need every type.

When to Replace Your Marking Tools

If your marker:

  • Skips or scratches

  • Leaves inconsistent lines

  • Doesn’t erase fully

  • Has dried out

It’s time to replace it.

Marking tools are inexpensive compared to the cost of fabric and time invested in a quilt.

Reliable quilting retailers like Fat Quarter Shop carry a range of water-soluble pens, chalk wheels, and specialty markers designed specifically for quilting cotton, which helps reduce the risk of staining.

Common Marking Mistakes to Avoid

  • Pressing before removing marks

  • Using regular office pens (please don’t)

  • Skipping the scrap test

  • Leaving marks for weeks before washing

Even experienced quilters have learned these lessons the hard way.

The Bottom Line

Marking tools are meant to guide your quilting — not haunt it.

Choose tools based on:

  • Fabric colour

  • Project timeline

  • Quilting style

  • Your comfort level

If you’re unsure, start with a water-soluble pen and always test first.

A few seconds of testing can save hours of frustration.

This article is part of our Ultimate Guide to Quilting Notions for Hobby Quilters, where we simplify essential tools without overwhelming you.

Next in the series:
 Pressing Tools That Make Quilts Look Professional