Turning the crank is hard if you have lots of layers. I only put two layers of flannel through but up to 6 of cotton. I make sure the handle part is off the table as I find it easier to do it that way.
Thanks for the tip about using vellum under the fabric.
My favorite dies (before I owned this one) are the two tumblers and the strip dies. Santa is getting me the hexagon one. I forgot to ask for more cutting mats.
I usually cut strips 1" wider than the die and run those through but with the rag I chose to do the squares