Think about what "projects" you might want to create first. Are you a quilter that prefers to piece or do applique". You may also want to check out the new electronic cutters (e..g Silhouette Cameo, Eclipse2, Brother Scan N Cut) as you don't have the expense of all the dies, but they also only cut one layer at a time. Still, you can control placement of the cut on the fabric better to minimize scrap.