ansew

I already own the Accuquilt Studio and love it for basic shapes. However, I'm looking into wanting to do more applique that is not the standard dies through Accuquilt. So, enter the digital electronic machine. I'm also wanting to cut HTV with it(heat transfer vinyl)--I don't do scrap booking so that's really not a concern of mine(right now). I know there also is the Janome Artistic Edge. Questions:

1. Do you have any of these cutters and how do you like it?
2. How much of a learning curve is there with the software. I have read that the Brother Scan N Cut and Silhouette have a steeper learning curve.

One of the things that I have read is that if you want access to any designs with Silhouette and Cricut is that you have to pay for them through a membership? Is this correct? So, as I understand it, you pay for a membership and then also for designs? I also have read that this is not the case with the Brother. Is that also true? Have any of you ever used any Cricut or Silhouette membership? If not, where do you get some of your images?

I think each machine has their own strengths---but I'm looking for user friendly, cuts both fabric/vinyl(or more). I like the fact that the Cricut Maker has a rotary blade tool for fabric and you use a dial for application of different materials to get the correct cutting height--not sure that is absolutely necessary though.

Any help/hints/suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you so much.

anonymous

I have a knk zing cutter. I bought it from my quilt shop when they were featuring it for use with iron on vinyl or to make templates for crystals. I have used it mostly for card stock in a variety of projects. Actually never for fabric, but lots of vinyl. As in everything, somewhat of a learning curve. I have sure cuts alot software and it is user friendly. I am not sure about cutting detail in fabric, you would definitely need to stabilize it well. If you have many of anything fabric to cut I still think that your accuquilt studio would be the best way to go. I also have the studio, and had a custom die made by them during a sale. Gives you an option for quilts that they don't currently have dies for. The zing will cut any cutting design out there on the internet. Sort of like embroidery design options, sky is the limit. The zing has been a great cutter for me.

Rhonda K

I have the SNC wireless machine but haven't used that feature. I can send the applique cut files from embroidery machine designs to USB and then cut them out with the SNC. There is on line software that you use and create designs. The designs stay in the cloud and not on your computer.

The new SNC versions auto set the cut depth. That alone takes out a huge curve for learning how to set depths for different materials. Honestly, I haven't worked much with my machine to learn how to navigate it very well. There are many tutorials for it though on the web.

You are wise to research the different machines. I will add, don't skimp on cost if you find the one with features you need.IOW don't settle for less than...even if you have to save up.

Good luck with your decision. They are certainly fun!

PS: If you have a local dealer they may offer classes. Our local shop has 2 classes each month.

mindless

Ansew, I have a Go too, & those are the same reasons I bought a Scan 'n Cut. I wanted to make my own appliques, and I wanted to try HTV-HeatTransferVinyl. There is a learning curve, and you can put as much time into it as you want to get out of it.
Scan n Cut doesn't come with very good instructions though.

The Best place to go for help is Jen Blausey.

She has a facebook page with Tons of tutorials, help, advice, free stuff and inspiration-(it is a closed group that you have to join so they can avoid advertising & spam), she has youtube videos, and a utube channel called Jam Sessions that includes tutorials for SCAL (sure cuts a lot), and HTV.

All free. All pretty great. You can watch her videos and get a sense if you want to spend the time learning the SnC machine or not before you buy one. There is So much you can do with it if you want to learn. But, if you just watch the videos, it may be a bit daunting at first. It helps to follow along with a machine as you watch.

Here are the links:
https://www.google.com/search?q=jen+...nt=firefox-b-1

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ut+jen+blausey

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU_...BYH327dvOU9q5A

I can say, that without this help, I would have been completely lost trying to figure out how to use most of the functions of this machine. There are other tutorials and videos online, but none are as thorough as Jens.
Just my opinion. I have never tried Silhouette, or Cricut.

pewa88

I just got a Cricut Maker and I am having so much fun. It is an amazing machine with unlimited possibilities. There is a learning curve with Design Space but there are tons of how to videos. If you buy a Cricut then Cricut Acess is free for a month and then they offer a discount for an additional month. I have found that most of the designs in Access are free with the subscription and you do not have to buy any other designs unless you want to use the designer offers that they have. Good luck with your decision.

ansew

I "think" I have it narrowed down to the Brother Scan N Cut and the Cricut Maker. It will all come down to features that are best for me. For instance:

1. Which software is the easiest to import files(i.e. embroidery and svg) and then convert to the format the machine uses and then cut---fabric or vinyl

2. The software itself---which one offers more bang for the buck

3. Which one cuts fabric and vinyl the best?

4. Cost of replacement parts, i.e. cutting knives?

5. What other little "tools" or "gadgets" need to be purchased before cutting?

Those of you who have the Brother---do you have the version sold at brother dealers exclusively or do you have the one sold like on Amazon and other places?

With the heat transfer vinyl---I would be using on tote bags and possibly on pillows(the fabric before making) and possibly kitchen towels.

I already have embroidery and use PES format.

Continue to chime in and give your opinions and suggestions. Thanks

Rhonda K

Ansew,

What EMB machine do you have? On some models the applique part of the design has a "scissors" icon. You send this to the SNC (wireless) for cutting. You can also send to the USB and then load for cutting. I wanted to have compatible machines.

Dealers have different models over the stores. Some models just have more built in designs.

If you will attend classes you will probably want a rolling bag.

abc123

I have the first generation of SNC and yes, there was a learning curve but I understand the new units offer some nice features as others mentioned above.

Check the Brother website or Amazon for the current cost for replacement blades and mats.

Accessories: other than weeding tools and perhaps some Frog tape (to hold down fabric/vinyl corners to the mats) not much more is needed.

Brother offers a site called Canvas that you can import/export designs, edit designs & layout, and convert to the fcm extension for the SNC. There are many designers who have their own sites who offer design files.

I have been very pleased with my machine however, I cannot offer any experience regarding other machines.

ansew

[QUOTE=Rhonda K;8157184]Ansew,

What EMB machine do you have? On some models the applique part of the design has a "scissors" icon. You send this to the SNC (wireless) for cutting. You can also send to the USB and then load for cutting. I wanted to have compatible machines.

I have an ancient Brother 8500 and Babylock Elegante---works for me and for what I do, at this time, I see no need to upgrade---it can be a vicious circle to get the "latest and greatest" machine/software, etc. I just don't want to go there---I'm retired and old school to boot when it comes to machine embroidery. I never could justify spending the $$ for the latest machines---so I'm looking for something that I can handle $ wise as well as easiest for me at this time and still have a little fun!

ansew

So, after looking at some videos---to do embroidery I probably would need to upgrade my embroidery machine----so probably would not use the scan n cut for embroidery---but more for applique shapes(i.e. animals) that I could stictch manually on the machine.

I'm becoming more confused than ever! lol