Cutting machine for fabric
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 1
Cutting machine for fabric
Hello! I am brand new here. I am wanting to get a fabric cutting machine for my mom for Christmas and was looking for input from those who use one. The machines I am looking at are the hand crank Sizzix Big Shot or Big Shot Plus or an electronic one like a Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore Air.
I am not so much worried about cost but ease of use for her. She is currently working on a Grandmother's Flower Garden and still has a lot of pieces to cut. I am leaning towards the Silhouette Cameo but just not sure.
Thank you!
Tami
I am not so much worried about cost but ease of use for her. She is currently working on a Grandmother's Flower Garden and still has a lot of pieces to cut. I am leaning towards the Silhouette Cameo but just not sure.
Thank you!
Tami
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,952
I use the Accuquilt Go manual crank. The Silhouette and Cricut are more for scrapbooking but can be used for fabric. Sizzix is a good cutter comparable to the Go. Accuquilt has a good sale now on all cutters and dies.
#3
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
There are 2 general types of machines, ones that take dies and ones that are electronic. Again, in general, if you are cutting lots and lots of identical pieces the die cutting machines, like the Sizzix machines are a good choice. If, however, you are cutting lots of individual shapes, such as leaves, flowers etc. for applique, then the electronic ones may be a good choice. The die machines can cut multiple layers at one time, where the electronic ones cut only one. If your mom is doing a grandmother's flower garden, then she is cutting lots and lots of hexagons. I would take a look at the Accuquilt GO machines which are geared specifically toward quilters. The Go Big is a die cut machine that is electric, so easy to use.
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/fabric...-compared.html
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/fabric...-compared.html
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
My recommendation would be the Go Big electric without the cutting die bundle, or the Go manual crank without the die bundle. The Go Big would be preferred if it is in your budget. If you know what size hexes she is making, you could add in the correct size cutting die. You would need to know if she is paper piecing. If so, she would probably want one size to cut the papers and another size to cut the fabric.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
not necessarily--if you accordion fold the fabric and carefully align your fabric like they show on the Accuquilt website, there's not much waste--no more than you'd have with your rotary cutter.
If you Mom is making a Grandmother's Flower Garden, the Accuquilt has a die that allows you to cut your fabric and also your paper pieces (the sizes are set up so you can have your fabric hexes the right size.
Scan N' Cut and Silhouette allow only one layer, and on the Silhouette (I think the Scan N' Cut also but don't have it)needs a fusible backing--which means the applique are usually going to be fused. Not sure how this would work on a GFG frankly. Think your best bet would be either the Accuquilt or a Sissix.
If you Mom is making a Grandmother's Flower Garden, the Accuquilt has a die that allows you to cut your fabric and also your paper pieces (the sizes are set up so you can have your fabric hexes the right size.
Scan N' Cut and Silhouette allow only one layer, and on the Silhouette (I think the Scan N' Cut also but don't have it)needs a fusible backing--which means the applique are usually going to be fused. Not sure how this would work on a GFG frankly. Think your best bet would be either the Accuquilt or a Sissix.
#8
not necessarily--if you accordion fold the fabric and carefully align your fabric like they show on the Accuquilt website, there's not much waste--no more than you'd have with your rotary cutter.
If you Mom is making a Grandmother's Flower Garden, the Accuquilt has a die that allows you to cut your fabric and also your paper pieces (the sizes are set up so you can have your fabric hexes the right size.
Scan N' Cut and Silhouette allow only one layer, and on the Silhouette (I think the Scan N' Cut also but don't have it)needs a fusible backing--which means the applique are usually going to be fused. Not sure how this would work on a GFG frankly. Think your best bet would be either the Accuquilt or a Sissix.
If you Mom is making a Grandmother's Flower Garden, the Accuquilt has a die that allows you to cut your fabric and also your paper pieces (the sizes are set up so you can have your fabric hexes the right size.
Scan N' Cut and Silhouette allow only one layer, and on the Silhouette (I think the Scan N' Cut also but don't have it)needs a fusible backing--which means the applique are usually going to be fused. Not sure how this would work on a GFG frankly. Think your best bet would be either the Accuquilt or a Sissix.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Thornton, Colorado
Posts: 1,023
No regrets in getting my electric Go Big cutter over a year ago. It is easier on my arthritic hands but I recently pulled a muscle or two in my right arm. The machine has been a real blessing, indeed.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
I have both GO and Sizzix....Sizzix is easier to crank, but each has its place. As far as gfg...I did buy the go die that had two cuts..one for fabric, one for paper...I found seam allowance to skimpy...so paperpieces.com has a template that offered an acrylic with 3/8" seam allowance(for fabric), and fiskar had a handpunch the size I needed for papers....so I'm doing my gfg with those tools. But, for other projects...can't beat the die cutters!
my FYI...on some Sizzix dies-squares, rect.,tri., it will state -inches-" assembled, that is not the same as "finished" as the Accuquilt dies state.....
my FYI...on some Sizzix dies-squares, rect.,tri., it will state -inches-" assembled, that is not the same as "finished" as the Accuquilt dies state.....
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02-05-2011 09:42 AM