I have been thinking about getting this cutting system. Do any of you have this system? Would you recomend it? I know it is pricey, but I have arthiritis in my hands and thought it might help. Thank you

I bought one last year at Paducah. It's very nice but I have to say it took me a long time to get comfortable using it. The fabric has to be placed very accurately on the mat before cutting. I still can't turn the cutting guide to cut squares, diamonds, Hst, without messing up the straight cut. I really like the clamps that hold the fabric so it won't move. I think if I used it more I'd get better. I bought a fabric die cut machine because my hands were hurting rotary cutting a lot. The die cut machine has been the better of the two systems for me as far as no pain at all using it.

i'm not in the market for one, but i've always wondered....aren't you restricted as far as size is concerned? do you have to keep buying different size dies for each quilt? i know that the dies are pretty expensive.

and also, does it have curved cutters like drunkard's path or gandmother's fans? how versatile is it?

Here is a website that has a video and different sizes of the die cut machines. I got the Go! portable one. The dies come in basic sizes and in every shape. One die may have several shapes but if I only want one shape I put the fabric over that one shape about 1/2 bigger then the size of the shape. I have the 2 1/2 strip cutter and it cuts strips the length of your fabric, just like rotary cutting. I haven't found any quilt pattern that I can't cut using the die cut machine. The Studio model has more die shapes but it's bigger and more for quilt shops. New dies are coming out several times a year for the Go portable model. It may be expensive but the value is what is important to me. I can enjoy my quilting for years to come using the die cut machine. It only takes minutes to have perfect cuts for a whole quilt top and no pain.
My husband asked me why I was carrying around that portable typewriter all the time now. I explained it was a fabric cutting machine for quilting but as soon as I said quilting his eyes glazed over and he went deaf.

:roll:



http://accuquilt.com/

I think I would spring for the Accuquilt Go! by the same company. There is an email list named accuquilt at http://groups.yahoo.com ; everyone there is very happy with the Go! I have seen the quiltcut 2 for sale used on eBay; it looks less user-friendly to me than the Go!

The yahoo group is
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/accucutquilters/

I don't think Alto is the same company as Accucut. I think Alto is part of Martelli Enterprise.

I told my hubby that I wanted the AccuCut Go System for Christmas -- he rolled his eyes at me. Does that mean I need to go buy it for myself? :roll: :twisted:

Oops! I think you are right on both counts. Must need more coffee......

I remember seeing the demonstration of this Accut and was very impressed. Does anyone know of another company that sells a die cut machine that is not so pricey?

In answer to your post about the Altos system...
I bought the original when I first started quilting and I have been very pleased with the results.
I use it all the time. Not just when cutting out my pieces but I use it as my general all purpose mat.
Mine is not as fancy as the 2 but mine was a great investment when I bought mine several years ago.
I have yet to change the cutting mat, the ruler is still in good shape and I love the fabric clamps.
Kirsten

PS...I have been looking at the die cut machine as well

i don't know what the alto machine is, and haven't been able to find it online. probably been looking under the wrong name.

can you give me the full name of the product or the website so i can check this out? i have never heard of it.

I don't of any, but if anyone does -- let us know :wink:

Alto Quilt Cut 2: http://www.quiltcut.com/

die cut machie: http://www.accuquilt.com/

There are several brands of die cut machines but most are for commercial use and very expensive. Accucut is the first to bring the die cut machine to the quilters but I'm sure other brands will be doing it too. The Cuttlebug Expressions die cut will cut fabric but it's about $300 and will cut stabilized fabric one cut at a time. Many applique quilters are using it to cut qpplique shapes any size they want. It's perfect for that. The dies are going to cost the same no matter what machine brand you buy. The Accucut dies are the least expensive I've found.

on the alto, it would seem that there is no way to cut curves. do you have this? how many layers can it cut at one time? do the pices relly lay flat and not slip?
AND, most important, price? i don't have arthritis or anything that revents my from cutting except laziness. so price is a factor.

I have both cutting systems.

the Alto cost me (quilt show price) $222.55 total
The Go die cut machine with basic die set cost me $349
I added extra dies, cutting mats, and storage rack, shipping, total was $736.01 for everything.

does either one cut curves like drunkard's path or any other curves?
especially the alto? and which do you personally prefer?

The Alto does not cut curves. The die cut machine has circle and hexagon, leaf, and swirl dies. All the dies for each model of die cut machine are pictured on the website. The Studio model die cut has many more quilt dies then the Go. Most quilt shops have the Studio model.

many thanks for the info