I have been reseaching these machines and I wanted to share what I learned because when I did a search for Sizzix on this board I didn't find that much about it...anyway I had bad luck with the Accuquilt...won't get into that story now (I know a lot of you seem to love them)...and so I decided to look into Sizzix..I spoke with Head Office numerous times, many reps and distributors, and lots of retailers too...and some of the retailers (that carry both Sizzix and Accuquilt) seem to think that Sizzix is going to be much more in the forefront with time...???
Sizzix is big into scrapbookingas as you probably know...
..so when I researched them I found it a little confusing as to what these machines are for -paper..fabric???...I wasn't sure if they are good for quilters because all you ever hear about now is Accuquilt..as least I did...
The most expensive one is the purple Big Shot Pro Westminster edition..this is the one marketed for quilters...it has a really extra long tray and is very heavy, doesn't fold up though, but it doesn't budge when you turn the handle..best part of all...Sizzix has a series of dies for quilters..and making more..plus any dies ever made by Sizzix or Ellison or Accu Cut or Accuquilt can be used on this machine...it has a 5 year warranty as opposed to 1 for Accuquilt..and it is solid and sturdy...a really neat thing too...you can have them make you custom dies..I don't know how that works yet but I thought that was really cool...for original artwork or designs..
The other Sizzix cutter is the blue Big Shot Pro...and this is where I needed clarification from the co..it doesn't really explain on the website how they are different/similar but...apparently this machine is identical to the purple one...in every respect, except, the blue one has a shorter tray...and I was told that you can always buy the longer tray down the road...everything else is the same...this is the one I bought...they don't come with dies..all of them have to be bought separately....and the Sizzix dies seem to be less expensive???
Oops, I forgot to mention that the Sizzix has a 13 inch opening..fits any die 12 inches x 12 3/4 inches...and cuts many types of materials...
I am now going to start buying some dies...
Tell me folks, which dies will I not be able to live without?
Hope you find this info helpful...and accurate...check the website out too...