twoxover

i have the altos system and i do really like it-i purchased it used from another quilter. I find i am way more accurate in cutting with than a regular cutting mat and rulers....

you also will want to look at your workstation for cutting-ie appropriate height for YOU, and your reach.

fruitloop

I use the Slide Lock for all ruler cutting. I use it for safety on all rulers. I have a few of the Quilter's Select rulers and they are fantastic. The fabric sticks to the ruler but the ruler isn't tacky or sticky. Wonderful things! I will be replacing my basic rulers with the Quilter's Select brand.

tailormaid

Thank you everyone for your comments and advice. I feel so encouraged! After some more experimenting, I think rotary cutting will be difficult for me as well as holding down the ruler, so am leaning towards the Accuquilt Go Big electric model. I also will check out the Klic-N-Kut or Brother ScanNcut for the invisible machine applique, thanks for that suggestion! If I bought an Accuquilt strip die for binding, what size would you suggest? I would be doing very small quilts or wall hangings (no bigger than 25" square or so) to start with, and would like to do it entirely by machine, no handsewing. I am also thinking maybe of trying the 6" Go Qube, or the 6" Hunter Star for starters. I'm hoping there will be a good sale on Black Friday...Thanks again!! Beth

QuiltE

I can't really advise you on which of the options would be best to go with, as I am not familiar with them at all.

However ... What I am thinking IF the equipment you buy, makes sewing a joy for you, then you will go on and do more than you are thinking right now. Eg. beyond 25" square! I learned that lesson when I bought my first good machine (Janome 6600) ... it made me love what I was doing! It was a good machine and everything just seemed to go well with it and made me want to go further with quilting. And to think I was only going to do runners, at the most!! NOT!

Perhaps because of your physical limitations, you could get the dealer to agree for a full refund after 30 days (or more!) without being forced to purchase a different machine ... or full credit towards a better machine. My dealer does this with sewing machines and will give full value back within a year, towards a new machine.

Good Luck .... take your time looking, and make sure that at the least they allow you lots of in-store practice to know you are confident that what you are getting is indeed the "right" thing for you!

Prism99

I personally think the Qubes are over-priced. They may be attractive to a beginning quilter, but maybe not so much for someone who has progressed a bit into quilting. The Hunter Star is a relatively difficult block to start with, especially in the smaller size, but might work for you if you are okay with precision piecing. I would recommend starting out by deciding exactly what it is you want to make first, and then just purchasing the die(s) that will make that pattern. You will learn a lot as you go along and most of us change a lot during that process.

jmoore

Accuquilt just had a big sale and I was on the fence about the Studio 2 but when I climbed on their website yesterday, the sale was over and the price was back to normal. : (

they still have the cube on sale I believe. I have not heard of the Alto or seen the ScanNcut machines yet so maybe it's good I didn't jump right in to buy just yet.

Shorebird

Have you seen and tried the new Quilters Select rulers from Floriana? They absolutely DO NOT SLIP!!!! Not EVER....right now, they have only the basic sizes (5X24, 6X12, 6" sq, 8" sq, 12" sq).....so cutting appliqué shapes would have to be done by hand.........Check our the Quilters Select website.............can be purchased where Floriana products are sold.........

Have you used the Martelli ergonomic rotary cutters? their new 28mm makes tracing shapes a BREEZE.........

Let us know what you decide and how you are making out........

Please let us know what you finally decide to do......

pahega

How about the Havel's ruler/cutter? I have one and really like it for cutting strips. You press on the top of the cutter with your palm instead of gripping a cutter handle.

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quilttiger

I replaced my AccuQuiltGo cutter with the Go Big electric cutter over a year ago due to arthritis in my hands. I also have to watch how much my right arm/shoulder is used. It has turned out to be a blessing. The Go Big cutter takes up less space than the AQG cutter does.

darlin

love my electric Go Big called company and talked in depth with an associate bout what shapes and sizes I like and use very helpful guided me with my die purchase best help ever such a happy customer here