cricut, scan n cut or silhouette?
06-06-2020, 06:10 AM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,041
I have friends with cutting machines of various sorts who just love their different machines for the different things they do. For me... I've played a bit and it's just not so much for me and what I do -- but I can see where if I did other things I'd be really loving it. Tumblers, applecore, applique, lots of uses.
I wanted to say that I don't usually keep track of the pricing of things, but I started going to Tuesday Mornings (a discount home goods type chain) from a mention of fabric there. They do carry a random variety of layer cake and other precuts, sometimes Moda, sometimes other brands at about half quilt shop prices. I stopped by one because of that thread and I was in the neighborhood, and actually found what I was looking for there and not where I was looking!
Pertaining to this thread, they have a large section of Cricut accessories and products at what look to me to be pretty good prices compared to other places.
My hubby was with me one day when I was running errands and found the brand of coffee syrup he prefers there for a lower price than the type he usually gets. They've been closed in the Seattle area for the last couple of months but recently reopened, and since it's near his work he stopped by and indeed picked up several bottles of coffee flavoring.
I wanted to say that I don't usually keep track of the pricing of things, but I started going to Tuesday Mornings (a discount home goods type chain) from a mention of fabric there. They do carry a random variety of layer cake and other precuts, sometimes Moda, sometimes other brands at about half quilt shop prices. I stopped by one because of that thread and I was in the neighborhood, and actually found what I was looking for there and not where I was looking!
Pertaining to this thread, they have a large section of Cricut accessories and products at what look to me to be pretty good prices compared to other places.
My hubby was with me one day when I was running errands and found the brand of coffee syrup he prefers there for a lower price than the type he usually gets. They've been closed in the Seattle area for the last couple of months but recently reopened, and since it's near his work he stopped by and indeed picked up several bottles of coffee flavoring.
06-06-2020, 12:01 PM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North-Central Indiana
Posts: 4,909
I don't think they make custom dies for the accquilt go. Only for the studio. I have a scan n cut and a silhouette. I've only cut fabric with the silhouette but it worked fine. I prefer the scan n cut overall because it doesn't need to be connected to the computer. I have a wireless card for mine.
06-06-2020, 05:45 PM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
I have the Accuquilt GoBig (and yes,you can order custom dies) and a Silhouette Cameo. Bought the Cameo first thinking it would be cheaper not to have to buy dies (which aren't cheap)and was ok with either purchasing the designs to download or trying to draw out the design on the computer. Well--frankly, since I don't do much raw edge (or any) applique, the Cameo was a waste of $$---I use it more to cut vinyl or cardstock than fabric---you have to have a stabilizer on it (or soak the fabric first in Terial Magic and let it dry to stiffen it) and only cut one layer at a time. Since I do mostly patchwork, the Accuquilt has been the most used and the best buy for me.
06-06-2020, 08:15 PM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,688
Originally Posted by mjkgquilt
Julia, will or can Accuquilt Go make a custom die if you request the company to make a custom die? Thought I read that they will make custom dies. Do not have any idea what a custom die will cost.
06-07-2020, 12:20 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North-Central Indiana
Posts: 4,909
I've seen anywhere from $75 to $200 for custom dies. I guess if you had something you made for sale it might be worth it. You could buy a scan n cut or silhouette for the cost of a couple of dies.
06-16-2020, 05:47 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 6,254
Originally Posted by j50
I have a Cricut Maker and love it. Before I bought it I tried out the software and looked at a ton of how to videos. I use it to cut out appliqué material. The rotary cuter on it is fabulous.
I also use it with paper , vinyl. Magazine paper all kinds of things.
You do not have to be connected to the internet to use it. Sometimes to upload their images you have to be though. Yes you do need a computer.
I had looked at the scan n cut but did not like working on the small screen. Now that you can create on the computer it is easier. The problem with scan n cut I feel is the ability to cut fabric with out a backing. If Brother had a rotary cutter for their machine it would be great. I looked at all of the how to videos with Julie Fei-fan Balzer and was mesmerized. But was not impressed with not being able to cut fabric easily.
Cricut Maker like any other computer tool does have a learning curve but there are a ton of how to videos. They have improved the ways of getting free images. I also have found a hack to use their not free images.
A word of caution. I bought mine on HSN . The product did not work and long story short Cricut customer service was terrible. I had to take a movie of the problem. Never did cause I’m not good at that and what would it show. Just a stalling technique. So I just returned it to HSN with no hassle. Then ordered another one from HSN. Many Cricut items that are opened can not just be returned. Micheals will not take an opened return but I think Joanns will.
Yes there are some limitations as to creating your own images. It would be nice if there was a drawing stylus. There are a ton of free images at other sites.
Inkscape is a program you can use to make svg’s. I have a Mac and it is not compatible. Online there are also some sites that will convert your image to an svg.
I do not use the cricut maker to cut strips or masses of squares or other traditional shapes. If that is what you want you are better off with the other cutters. This is for the creative mind.
Decide what you want to use this for and then make a decision. Play with the software, look at the how to's at the cricut web site . Once you get the hang of it is really easy and fun to use
The cm is not cheap but you do not have to buy any dies. Anything you make or buy you can easily modify its shape and size.
Later has arrived so treat yourself.
I also use it with paper , vinyl. Magazine paper all kinds of things.
You do not have to be connected to the internet to use it. Sometimes to upload their images you have to be though. Yes you do need a computer.
I had looked at the scan n cut but did not like working on the small screen. Now that you can create on the computer it is easier. The problem with scan n cut I feel is the ability to cut fabric with out a backing. If Brother had a rotary cutter for their machine it would be great. I looked at all of the how to videos with Julie Fei-fan Balzer and was mesmerized. But was not impressed with not being able to cut fabric easily.
Cricut Maker like any other computer tool does have a learning curve but there are a ton of how to videos. They have improved the ways of getting free images. I also have found a hack to use their not free images.
A word of caution. I bought mine on HSN . The product did not work and long story short Cricut customer service was terrible. I had to take a movie of the problem. Never did cause I’m not good at that and what would it show. Just a stalling technique. So I just returned it to HSN with no hassle. Then ordered another one from HSN. Many Cricut items that are opened can not just be returned. Micheals will not take an opened return but I think Joanns will.
Yes there are some limitations as to creating your own images. It would be nice if there was a drawing stylus. There are a ton of free images at other sites.
Inkscape is a program you can use to make svg’s. I have a Mac and it is not compatible. Online there are also some sites that will convert your image to an svg.
I do not use the cricut maker to cut strips or masses of squares or other traditional shapes. If that is what you want you are better off with the other cutters. This is for the creative mind.
Decide what you want to use this for and then make a decision. Play with the software, look at the how to's at the cricut web site . Once you get the hang of it is really easy and fun to use
The cm is not cheap but you do not have to buy any dies. Anything you make or buy you can easily modify its shape and size.
Later has arrived so treat yourself.
06-17-2020, 12:47 PM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: IN
Posts: 1,807
I have a cricut explore air 2 but I do not use it for cutting fabric. If I were looking for that function, I'd probably go with the Maker. I have used the lower end Accuquilt cutters but found you have to cut based on the dies purchased and I make way to many sizes and shapes to invest in that particular machine. If you only strip quilt or strip quilt and make 9 patches or only did hexagon quilts for instance, it would be a great deal.
