I would love to have a rotary cutter that would not hurt my writst or shoulder. These are chronic problems that are kept under control with limited cutting and I think these tools would help me to quilt more. Does anyone have an opinion either way about them? I need help to make an informed decision and this is the best place to get it.

use the "search" function, there are many threads on both of these.

I have the Go and it's great. It has saved my hands and shoulder from cutting pain.

If that's the cutter that is supposed to cut strips for you, it has gotten really bad reviews. It is not sufficiently accurate for quilting purposes.

I have the Go! and really like it.

For strips, a much less expensive option than the Go! is a Shape Cut mat but it does require using a rotary cutter.

Have you tried a Martelli rotary cutter? It keeps the wrist in a neutral position so is easier for some people to use.

The new Go Baby is less expensive and will cut strips.

Another vote for the Go cutter.Haven't seen/used the Baby, so have no info to offer.Never looked at the Simplicity...just be sure to read reviews on any cutter you consider.

I love my accuquilt- I have had carpal tunnel problems in both hands and it is a huge help!

As far as cutting goes ... I love my accuquilt. I only have to have one slight pressure point and I can cut easily. No problems with my arthritis.

Several friends also love the Martelli rotary cutter.

ali

I only have experience with the Accuquilt studio cutter. I bought it after getting tendonitas in my 'cutting arm' - I was cutting layers of denim & flannel for rag quilts. I since have had shoulder surgery and all is pretty much corrected but still can only rotary cut a tiny bit at a time. The Accuquilt has saved me tons of pain and discomfort - I LOVE it. I would not be able to cut as much without it. I can roll the dies through the machine all day long with no problem.

I've used both. While the Simplicity strip cutter works OK, I was really not impressed. I felt I could do better with my rotary cutter. Accuquilt was great but I don't know if it would be worth the cost just for strips. Now the less expensive BabyGo, I might do it. I tried them both out because I have carpel tunnel, tendonitis etc. so anything repetitive causes problems for me. While the accuquilt was definately the easiest on my wrist, it did give me a sore shoulder. Oh well.

I'd have to be cutting mountains of strips before I'd buy any cutter. On the other hand, the Go cutter does squares, triangles etc....plus a lot of applique shapes.So guess it's just what works for you.

Although I haven't used it personally, I've heard only bad reviews of the Simplicity cutter. Don't spend your money there. The Alto Quilt Cut might be another good option to the Go cutter.

I had the simplicity cutter and returned it. It is not accurate and way to much work. I recently got the GO as a gift and I absolutely love it. I cut out 99 2.5 strips today in about 45 minutes. It saves on the hands, arms and time!

The Go needs to be sitting a much lower level then a cutting table height. I have mine just below waist level. I had my PT watch me turn the Go and he said Do not raise the shoulder while cutting only rotate the lower arm. After some uses the Go is very easy to run the dies through with no effort at all.

That's good to know.

That's really good to know. I had never even thought about how the height of the table would affect using the Go.

Don't forget, the Alto's QuickCut II does more than just strips. It can cut any size that fits on the mat. You can sut larger 'strips' then put the guide to the side and divide those larger 'strips' into squares, rectangles, parallograms, trapezoids, and more. The guide can be adjusted at various angles.

It does more than just strip cutting. You can cut triangles and octagons ... and more.

Gads, but these names are confusing me ... that, and it is late at nite. It is the Alto's that I have ... not the accuquilt!

ali

The Go hurts my shoulder too. My neck too. I don't have a table any lower than the one I use it on but it's definitely lower than a cutting table. I'll have to try not moving my should and only my lower arm.

I love my Go! but haven't heard much about the other. You could google them and compare the reviews.

The Simplicity deluxe rotary cutter stinks. Do not buy it. It is not accurate enough for anything, much less quilting. The first time I used it I thought I was doing ok and wasted 1/2 yard of fabric before I realized spagetti was straighter. Fortunately I bought from nancy's notions and she took it back. Recently got a quiltcut2. While you still need to use a rotary cutter, it's much easier than just using a mat. I saw eleanor burns use something that looked like a quiltcut but the bar had a blade on it. i'd love to find out what that is and get one of those. I've had neck surgery and sewing isn't the best hobby for me. oh well.