janecat

I recently purchased an Accuquilt Go. I am using the die that came with the Go to cut squares and HSTs.

For those of you who have an Accuquilt, here are my questions:

1. It seems quite hard to turn the handle--and I am only cutting through 4 layers of regular cotton quilting fabric. Is this normal?

2. The cutting mat seems like it really gets hammered. How often do you have to replace your mats?

3. I'm having trouble getting out the little pieces of fabric that get caught in the corner of the HST foam die. I'm using the little tool that came with the Go to kind of dig it out. How concerned should I be about not getting out all the little bits of fabric?

4. I have an old Olfa cutting mat that I don't use any more (I have a newer one that I use). Eventually, when my Go mat wears out, can I cut up the old Olfa mat as a replacement?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

I know that there is an Accuquilt usersgroup, and I plan to join that soon to get some tips.

Thanks!

sewTinker

I don't have a go, but am wanting one. Will be following this thead. thanks for the great questions.

Ginaky

1. It's not unusual to be stiff at first, but shouldn't be too hard to turn. I have cut 6 layers with mine that have a fusible on them without any problems at all.
2. & 4. The mats do get cuts in them, but they will continue to work for quite a while. Use opposite ends/sides and that will help make them last longer. When you start getting a lot of places that don't cut, it's time to replace the mat. As for using the Olfa mat, I wouldn't. Accuquilt has made their mats for their specs and a mat that is a bit harder or thicker could very well damage the blades or even break the roller. The mats aren't that expensive and I keep several of each size on hand.
3. You should remove all the pieces stuck by the blade if possible. A soft brush can also be used, just don't use anything that will damage the foam around the blade.

I hope this helps! I definitely recommend joining the Accuquilt group on yahoo as it is very informative.

Holice

sign up for the Accuquilt group on Yahoo. Lots of discussion there.

MsWildflower

+ + + + +

To answer your questions...
1. When you first start out, it's easier to cut only 1-2 layers at a time, until the handle is "broken in". And on the rag dies I still only cut 1-2 layers at a time and I've had my GO for months.

2. The mats will war out. Thhink about what their purpose is...to protect the rollers from the dies. Again, I am still using my first 10 x 10 mat even though it is very worn and it's still working fine.

3. You don't need to be really concerned about getting out the little bits of fabric in the corners or certain areas. In addition to the pick I also use a toothbrush to brush out along the die lines.

4. NO don't use an Olfa mat! The cutter is designed to use their mats and any other mats are too thick and may very well ruin the rollers.

Please feel free to ask any more questions and I'll be glad to help! (And yes, I am an AQ dealer).

janecat

One more question:

I don't see a big advantage to going to the trouble of putting fabric right sides together when cutting HST. The intent is that they will be in correct postion when they come off the die and can go straight to the sewing machine.

BUT--the fabric seems to stick to the mat and/or the foam after it is cut---and I have to peel the pieces off---and so they pretty much end up not being right sides together after all.

Has this been anyone else's experience?

I appreciate your expert advice. :-)

MsWildflower

+ + + + +

I now spray both sides of my mat with Static Guard and I am able to cut all day long. It is so dry here in western Nebraska, that it would actually hurt some times when I'd get zapped with the static electricity.

HTH :-)

natalieg

Mine has been acting up this week with static and I was wondering if I could spray it-I will now!!!

luvin quilting

I see that you are an accuquilt dealer, so I hope you can help me. I am having a lot of trouble cutting strips. I have learned to straighten my fabric, but my strips still have a bow. Also, do I have to cut a squared up piece of fabric to put on the dies? If not, what do I do to get the right size piece? And how do I place the fabric on the die? Does it have to be very straight and how do I get it straight? I really need to see someone do it, but the videos I have found are not that detailed. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I am getting very frustrated. Thank you.
Susan

MsWildflower

Susan,

I had a great (long) response to you that has now gone the way of cyber space?...lol.

To be honest on the strip dies, I still find it easier to use my rotary cutter! I am hoping to become an AQ educator and that is one of my questions...to learn how to use the strip die more efficiently. I mainly do scrap quilts so I don't have much need for my strip die.

I use old file folders and make a template of each of my dies. I am a chapter leader for Quilts for Kids and am given a lot of scrap fabrics, and with the templates, I can see if my pieces will fit the die cut. My waste fabric is put into kennel pillows for the Humane Society.

For correct placement of your fabric line it up parrallel with the edge of the die cut. Each die comes with a cardboard instruction insert that will tell you what size strip of fabric to cut for each die board. If you are doing a quilt top, you DO need to pay attention to grain lines along your die cuts. Again, because I do scrap quilts, I rarely both with the grain lines.

I mark all my dies with a Silver Sharpie, which makes it much easier to see where your cuts will be.

Does that help? And if not, feel free to email me at [email protected] . I am not the best online teacher!