Normabeth

I cut out 5" squares with the AccuQuilt Go this weekend, I am trying to make a Jacob's ladder in tan and off white, completed one square and noticied that it was not laying right. I checked all my seams, perfect 1/4" seam - then I check the fabric. One side only measures 4 7/8"!!! The machine and die set that is suppose to make your cutting in less and time and be more accurate DOES NOT WORK!!! I emailed the company but have not heard back from the yet. This is the third time I used the 5" square die, two times for my volunteer group to cut blocks for an elderly person not able to cut anymore, they never said they had a problem. This is the first time I cut block for my self, very DISAPPOINTED!!! So now to save this project, I think I will manually cut the squares down to 4 1/2" so I don't have to deal with halfing 4 7/8" pieces - Do you think this will work for a Jacob's ladder?
Thanks
NormaBeth

teddysmom

I didn' have any problem cutting the 5" squares. They all come out exactly to 5".

auntpiggylpn

My 5" die cuts perfect 5" squares also! I have never made a Jacob's ladder so I don't know about whether the smaller squares will work or not. Someone will come along and give you some good advice.

I was cutting 2" charms with my value die and they were coming out perfect. Then I noticed that one edge was coming out wonky. After I examined the die closer, I noticed that the blade cutting the wonky side was bent inward. I had cut using only 6 layers. I emailed Accuquilt and explained what was going on and they sent me out a replacement die free of charge.

Prism99

Actually, this is a known problem. I am curious to know if you prewashed the fabric? I think this is less of a problem if you cut unwashed fabric because of the stabilizers in the fabric as it comes from the factory. (But this is my own suspicion.)

The company recommends cutting so that the grain going underneath the roller is the lengthwise grain, not the crosswise; lengthwise grain has less stretch than crosswise. It also recommends putting a piece of paper between the die and the fabric and cutting both simultaneously. (Inexpensive coffee filters are supposed to work well for this.) Heavily starching the fabric before cutting likely helps too.

It's possible you got a bad die, but most often the problem seems to be that the fabric stretches while being rolled. Anything that stabilizes the fabric so it doesn't stretch seems to help. I know from my own use that the cutter becomes easier to turn with use, so I also think that with use the roller puts less pressure on the fabric and therefore causes less distortion as it is rolled.

You might want to join the accucutquilters group on groups.yahoo.com as this problem has been discussed many times there.

auntpiggylpn

[QUOTE=Prism99;5369467]It also recommends putting a piece of paper between the die and the fabric and cutting both simultaneously. (Inexpensive coffee filters are supposed to work well for this.) Heavily starching the fabric before cutting likely helps too.

QUOTE]

I put pages from an old magazine between the die and my fabric, especially when I use my rag die.

nygal

This is the first I've heard of this machine. I have been out of the loop of quilting for awhile. Do you all like your Accu machines? Any advice for me when I thinking if I want one?

Prism99

It's a die cutting machine for fabric. There are lots of Youtube video demonstrations of it; just search on Accuquilt Go. (Be aware that most of the demo's show lots of fabric waste; there is actually very little waste if you position fabric at home -- very similar to the waste from cutting with a ruler.)

I find the Go! most useful for cutting triangles -- very exact cutting with the dog ears lobbed off. The triangles are cut so perfectly it's really easy to match them for sewing. It is also great for odd shapes, rag squares, and fusible applique. If you have difficulty cutting straight strips without "bends" in the middle, then it is great for that too. (I personally prefer the June Taylor shape cut mat for cutting strips.)

Manufacturer's website is http://www.accuquilt.com/ but I think the Youtube videos are more helpful.

Normabeth

I iron and startch my fabric before cutting. I contacted the company, I did the paper test, and it still is not even. I can't find the receipt for this die so I am SOL - I purchased the Go in November 2010, so it had to be sometime in 2011 that I purchased this die - since I can't prove the age of the die I am stuck with it - won't be buying and any new dies soon. Now a question to all, do you save all your receipts from the fabric stores?

BellaBoo

If you bought the on the Accucut website or rep you don't need a receipt. It's in their records. If you bough it online or with a credit card it's easy to get a past record of your account. I never pay cash other then debit card for items that may need replacing while under warranty. I don't save fabric receipts, no need when using a debit or credit card. I let the company keep the receipts for me. Just one less thing I have to keep up with.

Suzan88

I have the Go! and the Studio. I've had two problems with the Go! dies - both bought from and returned to Jo-Anns for replacement. The second set worked perfectly. I've had a problem with the standard die - my 4.5" squares weren't square but the paper I tested the die with was so I'm thinking I must have put some material through off grain. I was cutting down Moda squares and if they weren't cut on grain that might explain it. I'd just assumed they would be.
Accuquilt offered to replace the hexagon die that had a kink in one side of the middle section but I would have had to pay shipping and it proved easier to wait until I was going into town - 70 miles away - later that week. Jo-Ann have no problem replacing faulty goods but I normally get my dies direct from Accuquilt.
Ebony Love is bringing out a book later this year on how to use all the top line die machines properly so that should prove useful since she's the person with 50 how-to videos on the subject online.