Opinions needed about Accuquilt, please?
03-12-2011, 04:35 PM
#61
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Coastal Georgia
Posts: 1,508
As far as waste there only is some if you don't place the fabric to prevent waste. For me the Go or other die cutting machine saves alot of time for one thing in cutting multiple same piece at one time as many as 8-10 in one move/cut.
It also is alot more accurate with the cut than rotary or scissor cutting.
Also for those of us with medical conditions that prevent us from using rotary cutters this is an awesome machine.
I have MS and find these die cutting machines awesome and very user friendly.
But like anything else it's not for everyone. Everyone has there own needs and what works for one may not be useful for someone else.
It also is alot more accurate with the cut than rotary or scissor cutting.
Also for those of us with medical conditions that prevent us from using rotary cutters this is an awesome machine.
I have MS and find these die cutting machines awesome and very user friendly.
But like anything else it's not for everyone. Everyone has there own needs and what works for one may not be useful for someone else.
03-12-2011, 06:06 PM
#64
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 99
Waste is totally in the hands of the person operating the machine. I recently demonstrated the Studio for my quilt guild and told them that, since I was quickly doing a demo, I was wasting more fabric than normal - the important part was to use fan folding as a technique and learning to align the fabric for the most efficient cuts.
To the person whose quilt shop required an extra 1/4 yard of fabric to cut squares, that's absolutely ridiculous on their part & sounds more like them trying to earn extra revenue than them actually requiring that much more fabric. You'd need an extra inch, maybe two if the fabric's not on grain, but 9? Insane.
I have all three of AccuQuilt's die cutters, and have to say the Studio has been the most useful, followed by GO! Baby. I cut a queen sized double wedding ring (with the pieced rings) in less than an hour.
My favorite activity was making 20 yards of bias binding in one pass of the Studio cutter. Being able to cut 10 layers of fabric is amazing, and I can't tell you how many more projects I've been able to get done because I have a die cutter.
A lot of projects are easily adapted to the die cutter. One of my friends had a pattern that called for something like 200 1-1/4" strips; she decided to adapt the pattern for 1-1/2" strips since it could be cut with a die that I had.
For the folks who are having problems getting accurate cuts - there are loads of videos out there to help (including my own) but if you're having trouble you can send me a message, or just call AQ customer service - they are VERY helpful!
ebony
To the person whose quilt shop required an extra 1/4 yard of fabric to cut squares, that's absolutely ridiculous on their part & sounds more like them trying to earn extra revenue than them actually requiring that much more fabric. You'd need an extra inch, maybe two if the fabric's not on grain, but 9? Insane.
I have all three of AccuQuilt's die cutters, and have to say the Studio has been the most useful, followed by GO! Baby. I cut a queen sized double wedding ring (with the pieced rings) in less than an hour.
My favorite activity was making 20 yards of bias binding in one pass of the Studio cutter. Being able to cut 10 layers of fabric is amazing, and I can't tell you how many more projects I've been able to get done because I have a die cutter.
A lot of projects are easily adapted to the die cutter. One of my friends had a pattern that called for something like 200 1-1/4" strips; she decided to adapt the pattern for 1-1/2" strips since it could be cut with a die that I had.
For the folks who are having problems getting accurate cuts - there are loads of videos out there to help (including my own) but if you're having trouble you can send me a message, or just call AQ customer service - they are VERY helpful!
ebony
03-12-2011, 06:27 PM
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 412
I just began to learn quilting a few months ago but I did invest in an Accuquilt Go. I love cutting the strips I have needed, with it. I cut my first quilt top using a rotary cutter and it was okay but there were variations in the size of the strips no matter how I measured and cut. I guess I'm just not good with the ruler and rotary cutter. I have only worked on three quilt tops so far but I can see how my Go will give me greater accuracy as I continue to learn. I like it.
03-12-2011, 08:53 PM
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Northwestern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 326
Originally Posted by clsurz
If you are going to buy a die-cutter I highly recommend the Sizzix Big Shot Pro Westminster Edition which is pretty much like the AccuQuilt Studio and costs less than the AccuQuilt Go or AccuQuilt Studio.
I purchased this for $280.00 on eBay from a retailer who I negotiated a price with. It retails for $399. The Studio goes for almost $600 and the Go for almost $350.00.
I chose the Westminister edition because it will use ALL BRANDS of dies to cut fabric with and since I like to do applique and do purchase not just the AccuQuilt dies I also buy alot of the Sizzix, Tim Holtz, etc which cost a whole lot less than Accuquilt dies unless you do alot of research like I do and can find even Accuquilt dies for less than 50% off retail.
I also chose this machine because it will also allow you to cut all sorts of materials from cardstock, vinyl, fabric and much more and it also doubles as an embossing machine.
Only drawback is that this is a heavy machine like the Studio and not something you can just pick up and carry with you so if you are only using it at home I highly recommend you check into this one because of the versality of using every brand of cutting dies out there. It also uses ALL of the accuquilt studio dies on down to the Go and Baby Bug with the exception of the Jumbo and EX-large of the Studio dies but it will take all othe studio dies.
I have seen the Accuquilt Go in action several times and it is a great little machine however the cutting mats do not last has long as the acrylic mats used on the Big Shot that I have.
Now if you intend on taking this machine to school or anywhere else I recommend the Accuquilt Go over the Accuquilt Baby. Why waste money buying the Baby and later updating to the Go and you can get the Go for about what the Baby retails for if you shop around.
You have to consider the type/size dies you want to cut. The Baby only allows a certain size while the Go will take the Baby and Go dies.
If you don't want to be limited to the type cuts/dies I recommend the Sizzix Big Shot which will be similar to the AccuQuilt Go and cost less.
Decide what it is you want it to do than search online and compare these I mention and compare them to the Accuquilt.
I purchased this for $280.00 on eBay from a retailer who I negotiated a price with. It retails for $399. The Studio goes for almost $600 and the Go for almost $350.00.
I chose the Westminister edition because it will use ALL BRANDS of dies to cut fabric with and since I like to do applique and do purchase not just the AccuQuilt dies I also buy alot of the Sizzix, Tim Holtz, etc which cost a whole lot less than Accuquilt dies unless you do alot of research like I do and can find even Accuquilt dies for less than 50% off retail.
I also chose this machine because it will also allow you to cut all sorts of materials from cardstock, vinyl, fabric and much more and it also doubles as an embossing machine.
Only drawback is that this is a heavy machine like the Studio and not something you can just pick up and carry with you so if you are only using it at home I highly recommend you check into this one because of the versality of using every brand of cutting dies out there. It also uses ALL of the accuquilt studio dies on down to the Go and Baby Bug with the exception of the Jumbo and EX-large of the Studio dies but it will take all othe studio dies.
I have seen the Accuquilt Go in action several times and it is a great little machine however the cutting mats do not last has long as the acrylic mats used on the Big Shot that I have.
Now if you intend on taking this machine to school or anywhere else I recommend the Accuquilt Go over the Accuquilt Baby. Why waste money buying the Baby and later updating to the Go and you can get the Go for about what the Baby retails for if you shop around.
You have to consider the type/size dies you want to cut. The Baby only allows a certain size while the Go will take the Baby and Go dies.
If you don't want to be limited to the type cuts/dies I recommend the Sizzix Big Shot which will be similar to the AccuQuilt Go and cost less.
Decide what it is you want it to do than search online and compare these I mention and compare them to the Accuquilt.
03-12-2011, 09:55 PM
#68
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: AZ and CT
Posts: 4,898
Originally Posted by LucyInTheSky
I don't love mine (and am disappointed that I don't love it). I can't get it to cut the fabric without stretching. And I do have the length/widthwise grains positioned correctly, I do send it through at an angle, I do only send 1 layer of fabric through, etc, and my squares are always slightly rectangular. Which I can cut squares that are slightly rectangular on my own! I did appreciate it when I was teaching 88 students to cut and was able to quickly cut 176 triangles and 88 squares, since the kids didn't care/know that they weren't perfectly accurate. But I don't know if I would buy it again
Finally, if you 'pre-dut' pieces too small, they can stretch.
If you have arthritis or shoulder problems, the Go really helps - AND you can cut all pieces for a quilt quilt quickly. It's a bit 'stiff' to turn at first, but it soon becomes easier to turn.
I love the accuracy of the dies. I cut HSTs with 4 layers of fabrics, right sides together, pick pairs up and sew them together. Dog ears are cut off by the dies. If my 1/4" seam is accurate, NO SQUARING UP needed!!!!! I don't dread HSTs any more.
If you keep twisting and turning your mat, it lasts a LONG time. I haven't had to change the original mat that came with the GO, and I've cut 100s of HSTs with the die that came with the GO with it. Considering that the mat is also being 'hit' with the other 2 shapes on that die, that's a lot of use out of that mat, and it's still good!
Shop around - you can almost always find a better price than the $350 original for the Go cutter. www.jhittlesewing.com has it for less than that with free shipping. Their die prices are good, too.
03-12-2011, 11:16 PM
#69
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 3,357
I have had my Grande Mark now called The Studio I think, for 4 years now & I just love it to pieces! I have bad Arthritis in both wrists and the Accucut preserves them for other things. It really has been a godsend. I got money for gifts so I could order Dies. My friends have had me cut kits for them so I charged a little & used that for more Dies. It sure saves a lot of time!
03-13-2011, 10:28 AM
#70
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 65
Originally Posted by LucyInTheSky
I don't love mine (and am disappointed that I don't love it). I can't get it to cut the fabric without stretching. And I do have the length/widthwise grains positioned correctly, I do send it through at an angle, I do only send 1 layer of fabric through, etc, and my squares are always slightly rectangular. Which I can cut squares that are slightly rectangular on my own! I did appreciate it when I was teaching 88 students to cut and was able to quickly cut 176 triangles and 88 squares, since the kids didn't care/know that they weren't perfectly accurate. But I don't know if I would buy it again
Terry
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