Road to California was thrilled for the return of Oliso to the show. It had been several years since the company had last visited as a vendor and $5.00 Lecture participant. For Road’s 25th Anniversary Show, Oliso returned as a vendor and a Sponsor for the event.
Who is Oliso
A San-Francisco based team of inventors, engineers, and researchers, Oliso listens to their customers to design products that simplify everyday life. The goal of Oliso is to “marry aesthetics and function to create ergonomically optimized products.”
Known for its remarkable irons, did you know that Oliso also makes food preparation items such as a vacuum-sealer and their SMARTHUB™- a stovetop or countertop appliance that seals, cooks sous vide, and sears?
Oliso Irons at Road
Michele Muska, Director of Content and Community Relations for Oliso, brought her team to the show to demonstrate the Oliso Smart Iron and introduce their new, Mini Project Iron.
The Mini Project Iron was developed through “a lot of grassroots work in order to get it in the hands of quilters and garment sewers,” shared Michele. The company listened to customers to come up with a product that features a diamond ceramic plate, a detail point, 120/240 wattage, steam burst, and takes only 25 seconds to heat up. Oliso spent a lot of time reaching out through podcasts like Black Women Stitch as well as Instagrammer, Rachel Daisy of Blue Mountain Daisy, sponsoring contests and giveaways to promote the new small mini project iron. The iron was so popular at Road 2020, that it sold out on the first day!!
Michele said it was great for Oliso to be back at Road. “The customers have been wonderful and super nice,” she said. They were also happy to supply the irons in the classrooms during the show.
15 Smart Ironing Tips from Oliso
- Determine what you will be using the iron for: ironing or pressing. Ironing is defined as sliding the iron back and forth over fabric. Pressing is lifting the iron up and down over the fabric.
- Heat and moisture are what is needed for a good crease. Using steam will speed up the ironing process.
- Features to consider when purchasing an iron include a stainless steel soul plate (a shiny plate or one that has a Teflon coating tends to create a drag when ironing), the length of the cord, a generous water tank and an auto shut off for safety.
- Just like pre-heating an oven before baking, make sure the iron is heated before using. This will also help prevent leaking.
- Place the iron near your machine but far enough away so that you have to get up and walk over to it.
- Press all seams twice. First, press the seam like you sewed it. This sets the seam. Then go back and press open or press to one side – depending on the design and how it will be quilted.
7) Press as you go. Press whenever you join another seam. Press on the back when you finish a block and when you have the top completed. Press lightly again on the right side. Never press after a quilt after it has been quilted because it will mash the batting.
8) Use the highest setting with steam when pressing cottons. Turn down the heat for polyester or synthetics. Test the fabric first from the back side.
9) White Vinegar mixed with a little water both puts a crease in and takes a crease out.
10) Never press over pins, markings, or basting threads.
11) Press long seams going across your ironing board to prevent distorting the grain line.
12) Clean the sole plate using a dryer sheet, a Clean Magic Eraser, or try this: ironing over wet table salt on a brown paper bag.
13) Clean the steam vents by pouring hot water into the chamber, heat up the iron, and quickly press out all the water over the sink.
14) Unplug or turn off electric output after use.
15) Always use regular tap water when filling the water chamber.
Thank you Oliso for your generous support of Road to California.
