To Buy or Not to Buy an Accuquilt Go?
05-13-2012, 03:54 AM
#51
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
First of all; at that price you could resell it and not lose if you didn't like it. I love mine and yes, I could probably use it a lot more. I first got it mainly because of the time and energy it saved me for my rag quilts; what a time saver. One of the first things that I didn't was go thru my scrap bins and make 1 in to51/2 squares out of it and put it in bins. That has helped so much, first of all it's not stuffed into a bag where I hated to go digging thru. I can see fast if I have certain colors that are needed. I use the squares for applique, quilting, etc. The dies you do like most things, pick them up here and there and add to your "stash" just like you do when you are trying to build up your thread or fabric. I've gotten some great deals on ebay and the Accuquilt site has lots of patterns; some are free. If you have EQ you can even download shapes to use with it in designing quilts. This is just another one of those items that you'll always here both negative and positive sides so you have to decide for youself. Since you aren't paying full price you won't lose money if you sell it later on. The dies you buy will also sell or make you happy when you use them.
05-13-2012, 03:57 AM
#52
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
Lets talk percentages, if you add 1/2 inch (the bare minimum) to all 4 sides of a 2 inch square, you are wasting 1inch of fabric on a 2 inch square. Doesnt sound like much until you start adding up for a big quilt. I found I was using 25% more fabric as a rule, and on expensive fabric, that is way too much.
05-13-2012, 03:59 AM
#53
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
OK. Thanks for the help. I have the Alto cutting system and haven't used it for two years. Guess it's time to refresh myself on that. I do see the advantage to having the dies for applique. Right now, I'm working on a double wedding ring and had that laser cut which was expensive, but accurate. I love the Board, because there's so much experience and you take time to answer and share your experiences and knowledge. Thanks!
05-13-2012, 03:00 PM
#54
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern, Utah
Posts: 1,233
I've been looking at the Alto cutting system too. Maybe after I settle down with the Accuquilt Go I'll be much more serious about the Alto 2. I have quilted for years and my cutting still gives me fits. That's got to be the reason these tools are so appealing to me. I am really getting tired of triming everything I do. I just finished a batch of HST's and had to trim each one. Took me most of the day!!
05-13-2012, 05:27 PM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Southern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 525
My DH just bought me one this weekend and I'm anxious to use it. Thanks for all the good info about the system and now I just have to wait for shipment from quilting warehouse for my other dies!! Can't wait, thanks again!
05-13-2012, 05:34 PM
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,667
I got one for Christmas, dh and ds gave me it. It came with a starter set of dies..from Amazon. Was $300.00 and something. I also got the 2 1/2" strip cutter and the large mat. Heres the funny?? part: I didn't open and use any of it until last week!!
I was actually thinking I would just sell the whole schebang...this after wanting it all so bad!! But, I signed up for a 6" square swap here on QB, and decided to just get the Go! out and give it a "go"...bad pun intended...sorry...lol...Anyways, it cut those squares perfectly! I then "threw caution to the wind" and cut some jelly roll strips!!! It was super with those, too. I also have the JT shape cut ruler, and I do agree that cutting strips with it is great, too...I think it just really depends on the person...
Kif
PS Prism99 is right, I precut and fan fold, make sure just a lil bit of fabric is overhanging the shape, and there is very little waste...
I was actually thinking I would just sell the whole schebang...this after wanting it all so bad!! But, I signed up for a 6" square swap here on QB, and decided to just get the Go! out and give it a "go"...bad pun intended...sorry...lol...Anyways, it cut those squares perfectly! I then "threw caution to the wind" and cut some jelly roll strips!!! It was super with those, too. I also have the JT shape cut ruler, and I do agree that cutting strips with it is great, too...I think it just really depends on the person...Kif
PS Prism99 is right, I precut and fan fold, make sure just a lil bit of fabric is overhanging the shape, and there is very little waste...
05-13-2012, 05:39 PM
#57
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,667
We can argue this topic to death regarding waste and such no matter what tool we may decide to use to cut with.
Personally I would not be quilting today if it were not for these type machines. For a person who has mobility issues in there hands and arms an Accuquilt Go or similar die cutting machine is so worth it. As far as waste of fabric I have absolutely no waste using the GO, Studio, Westminster Pro cutting machines.
If you learn to use these machines correctly and as instructed you will have no waste of fabric. I line my fabric right to the cut line on one side and cut and repeat the process. I don't even leave 1/10th of an inch when I cut. I prefer using my Studio machine at home but I just as often use my GO if I want to cut in another room which for me is usually the dining room.
Since I am a fiber artist of sorts any left over pieces of fabric, threads and the like are used in my projects therefore no fabric is wasted ever.
Lets face it those that grew up on scissor or rotary cutting most likely will not like using a die cutting machine for the most part. Those of us who have never cut with scissors or rotary cutters or who have tried and find it cumbersome to use prefer a die cutting machine such as the GO.
I belong to a couple local quilt groups and I see all the time some waste good fabric cutting with a rotary cutter and I have also seen some do the same with a die cutting machine and its all because they have not been taught or learned how to measure and use the tools properly.
Lets face it what tools work for one may not for another or what one is comfortable with in using may not be for another.
Personally I would not be quilting today if it were not for these type machines. For a person who has mobility issues in there hands and arms an Accuquilt Go or similar die cutting machine is so worth it. As far as waste of fabric I have absolutely no waste using the GO, Studio, Westminster Pro cutting machines.
If you learn to use these machines correctly and as instructed you will have no waste of fabric. I line my fabric right to the cut line on one side and cut and repeat the process. I don't even leave 1/10th of an inch when I cut. I prefer using my Studio machine at home but I just as often use my GO if I want to cut in another room which for me is usually the dining room.
Since I am a fiber artist of sorts any left over pieces of fabric, threads and the like are used in my projects therefore no fabric is wasted ever.
Lets face it those that grew up on scissor or rotary cutting most likely will not like using a die cutting machine for the most part. Those of us who have never cut with scissors or rotary cutters or who have tried and find it cumbersome to use prefer a die cutting machine such as the GO.
I belong to a couple local quilt groups and I see all the time some waste good fabric cutting with a rotary cutter and I have also seen some do the same with a die cutting machine and its all because they have not been taught or learned how to measure and use the tools properly.
Lets face it what tools work for one may not for another or what one is comfortable with in using may not be for another.
Regards all,
Kif
05-13-2012, 05:44 PM
#58
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 2,103
I use mine for lots of quilts. Love the 2, 2.5 and 3 inch strips plus the other shapes I buy all of my dies on ebay and usually pay less than 1/2 price. You have to be patient but for me it is a godsend. My wrists used to ache from cutting, now I can cut an entire quilt in no time!!
05-13-2012, 10:23 PM
#59
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 93
I purchased the Accuquilt Go because I do not cut perfectly. Sewing clothing for a zillion years has me lazy in cutting. I do not have to be so perfect in cutting out pieces of a garment. However, in quilting, perfection is a goal. The Go gets me closer to perfection. I own a Cricut Expression, I use cartridges for cutting applique pieces. With both, I am closer to living happily ever after.
05-14-2012, 07:59 PM
#60
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern, Utah
Posts: 1,233
I am now waiting for delivery with high hopes!! Thank you, all of you, for your ideas and thoughts on this pro or con, it's helped me decide. I love this board, what a wonderful group to belong to.
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