Does anyone have the Acc-Quilt cutter. Saw it demonstrated yesterday at sewing club. Was really neat. The dies are kinda pricey but it would sure be fun to have & a great work & time saver. Anybody got any thoughts?

I have the Go and I love it. New dies are out, the Drunkard path and apple core plus lots of applique shapes. The value of the machine outweighs the cost for me. I don't have any messed up fabric from cutting wrong, no strain on my hands from cutting, every cut piece is the exact same size and it cuts the dog ears off for perfect matching, and it's FAST. Cost a whole less then a sewing machine. I would order from a Accut dealer not a middleman. This shop is a dealer and has the authority to replace or handle any problem immediately and has the best price I've found: (email the shop and you will get a discount coupon)

http://www.shop.quiltingmachineshop.com

Also there is a great yahool group that has pictures and great info on the die cut machines

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/accucutquilters/

I've been looking at the Cricut Expressions and realized that I want it for the sake of having it. Then I looked at the Accucut and I was floored by its price.
I decided against both of them - at least for now.

The Accucut seems to have a very limited die selection, and some of the basic shapes I would prefer to do in strip sewing rather than individual cuts.

Of course, when a quilter is not so steady with the rotary cutter, then it is the perfect tool. I can also see that it is a better approach for quilters with joint problems in their hands.

How often do they come out with new dies?

One of the gals at our guild says that she has a cutter at her store and if someone buys the yardage at her store, then she would run it through the cutter. It's worth asking around.

I have been tossing the idea back and forth for sometime now about purchasing one of these machines. Thanks for the links to some great information!

I checked out link that Bell posted. They have a package deal for $577.00 that has a lot of stuff with it. I would love to have this but I also want this new software program for my embroider machine so ACCU-Quilt will have to wait till next year. Gotta save for it. For now I will just cut my own. But if you were trying to mass-produce some quilts for a project it would be super.

Hi, I'm hoping to bring this back to top,not sure if it will. I have been looking at the AccuQuilt GO and trying to get my nerve up to purchase one.
One question I have is when you are using the 2 1/2" strip die does it only cut a small strip, or can you fold the fabric up before cutting &get a long strip? I love the idea of not using the rotary cutter as I never get straight cuts, but on the other hand will I have to cut a lot more strips? I hope I explained it right. Thanks for all the help and advice..........Wanda

That is a great question... I keep reading about these machines...maybe, just maybe one day :wink: ***sigh*** :D:D:D

Just yesterday I posted asking who has one. I would love one but not for the normal dies. I rarely ever piece normal pieces, but I have recently fallen in love with machine applique to go with whole cloth quilting. Thay are very often coming out with new dies by different designers. If you check the site you can view some of them. Ricky Tims have some amazing ones that sell anywhere between $95 to $175.00 each.

I would need to be rich to afford that but if someone has them I would be willing to pay to have some fabric cut for me with those templates. I did find a store that does it but they charge $125.00 for the templates to the quilt Arabian Nights by Ricky Tims. This includes the fusible.

It looks like fun, but how often would you use it?

Maria

I have the Go accuquilt and I really like it. Yes, on the strip question. You fold the fabric as it comes off of the bolt and get a 45 inch strip. Three of them in fact. I usually cut 9 at a time with the 2 1/2" die. You simply put 3 fabrics down and then cut and end up with 9 WOF cuts. It's perfect for bindings! I have made 2 rag quilts as Christmas gifts using the rag die. They come out already fringed on the edges, it's wonderful. I've recently bought the tumbler block and will use it soon as a border on a panel that I have. I have tons of fabric stored and hope to get it all cut into strips and squares so I can just grab it and sew. I consider it a great investment.

Thank you Pat for the wonderful info. You've sold me I think I will bite the bullet! I have found one for 349.00 and they offer free shipping, plus they also have lots of dies that I can add on later. Fun, Fun!!

Arthritis is in my fingers among other places, but I've lost so much strength in my hands I think this will help.
Is it hard to learn, it looked easy when I watched Alex's and Ricky Tims demonstrat it. Wanda

Pat, Help....I just went on the site and they also sell longer, wider size cutting mats...do I need extra one, the one that comes with it looks small. Do you have other size die mats? I'm full of questions. lol!

Loretta, I will post once I receive & use it.

The die will list what size mat to use but you don't have to cover the blades you aren't going to use. I have some dies that have several shapes on one die board. I only cover the shape I need. The blades that aren't covered will not come up and cut thus saving the cutting mat. The mat acts like the rotary cutting mat, to protect the blades when they come up. No mat, the blades do not come up. The cutting mats last a long time and they are not expensive. Buy the long die strip cutting mat, you will need that for the long die. I position my mat so it's not being cut on the same line each time.

some of the die cuts seem to waste a lot of material is the way it is or is there a way to prevent this.

There was another thread where I put a link to someone who said the 5" die is off. That it cuts incorrectly. FYI. I also think that this would be a great tool for those with arthritis. If it's accurate etc.

Question, though. I imagine the dies get dull like rotary cutters. How are they re-sharpened and how much is that?

The blades are made from the metal as the commercial fabric die cut machines and are guaranteed. Have you ever seen a clothing manufacturing plant? The fabric is spread out in layers, a suction holds the fabric in place and then a big die cut comes down and cuts out the pattern pieces all at once. Hundreds of shirt/dress/pants were cut in minutes. I was in awe! There are only two big commercial die cut manufactures and Accucut is one of the two. They have a long track record of good quality. I have had my GO going on 2 years now and I would buy it again. If I had the room I'd buy the Studio model. My waste fabric is usually skinny strips, you don't cover the whole die board, just the shape.

Hi, it's me again. I did buy the AccuQuilt cutter and absolutely love it. I actually bought mine from Nancy's Notions. I went on the internet & they had a special with the cutter and several dies for a special price, at least when I priced ea. die it saved quite a bit. And Allbrands had the 2 1/2" strip die on sale which saved also. I first used it on the one that comes with the cutter which has 3 different sizes, so have been working on the project that came with it. 96 triangles.....Ugh!! I have arthritis in my hands and someone had mentioned having to turn the handle must be still hard to use, but it isn't. I have had carpel tunnel in both wrists and surgery on both..this was much easier to use than the rotary cutter & even more less stress. I'm one of the oldies (71) and I don't dread cutting for quilts now!!

I'm gonna ask Santa for one this year. I think this is so super neat & BellaBoo said it really works well.