My advice from experience. Don't go overboard in buying dies when you get your machine. Think of those you will use now. I bought too many initially and have not even unwrapped them. I use the 2.5" strip regularily. Get a rain check for a certain number or amount that you can get as you need them or intend to use in the very near future. Also don't get those that you can more easily cut with the rotary cutter. I have debated getting the 3.5" for borders but then it would not be worth it to just cut for two or three crib quilts. Unless you make a lot of quilts using 3.5" squares. Cuttng the strips would be faster then recut with rotary cutter or you can turn the strip and cut the square.