Accuquilt or sizzix?
 

My husband is going to by me a accuquilt or sizzix for Christmas. I have never used either. What recommendations do you have?

I don't have one either but you might want to check what previous posts have been written. I find things easily when I use the ADVANCE SEARCH.

I had the original Go but didn't like the limitations (can only use go dies, which will never be bigger than 10" for the die itself) so I sold it and got the big shot pro (sizzix). I love the BSP but it is huge, expensive, heavy, and is not portable. But it can cut almost any die on the market. So it depends on your needs. Also, the BSP is much easier for me to crank but some have said they have improved the cranking on the Go.

There's also the accuquilt Studio cutter which can cut every die on the market, I think. It is also huge and expensive though but very versatile and heavy duty.

I have the Sizzix big shot and it is really easy to use and saves so much time when cutting. I bought it originally to cut all my scraps but haven't actually done that yet.

I have both the Go and the Big Shot Pro and love both for different reasons.... but if you are getting just one I would go for the Big Shot Pro because you can use almost any die on the market.

Hugs

Caroline

Be aware that the Accuquilt Go! (which is their portable die cutter) is now available in an electric version so you don't need to hand crank. Both of these versions are lightweight and compact so they are easy to store.

The Accuquilt Studio is wonderful if you have a dedicated space where you can leave it set up. This is the one that quilt shops buy to crank out kits because you can cut so many more layers of fabric at one time (and easier to crank for the same number of layers on a Go!).

All I know about the Sizzix is what I have read here. You can use dies from a variety of companies in it, but will need to be willing to add shims when necessary.

I have the Go and had the Big Shot Pro. I can't tell much difference. No matter which die cut machine you buy you will have to buy dies and mats for it. Compared to the cost of my sewing machine the die machines and dies are a drop in the bucket.

I have the GO and like it very much. It is portable and I have about 15 dies. You might want to check on-line and see which one has the dies you would use most and the type of space you have available. For me it was the GO, I don't do scrapbooking and no need to cut paper.

Not sure what paper has to do with it. Both die cutters will cut both fabric and paper and both can cut plenty of quilting shapes. Sizzix does offer a lot of paper dies (because that's what they started with) but they also have lots of quilting dies and their machine can cut Go dies as well as sizzix.

I recently bought a used Sizzix that came with lots of plates but no dies. Can't seem to find any at my local Michael's or A.C. Moore. Need to take a trip to Hobby Lobby and look. Want to get a circle die for my new hobby - wool felt which I am using to make candle mats. So many things to make, so little time to get them all done!

I would consider a Fiskars Fuse. The price is right down there now at Joann's. I think I've seen it as low as $79.99.

It's a fabulous, versatile, well-made machine. With shims, it takes just about any die. I don't usually use their shims, I use the big shot shims. The Fuse dies are worthless; don't waste your money on those. I don't use any of the Fuse things except for the machine itself. Love, love, love!

I would check out the Silhouette Cameo.

I own a Cameo. I also paper craft and do a few of my own designs. I would not use the Cameo if I needed 100 4" blocks or HSTs. The Sizzix, Accuquilt and Fiskars are far better for that purpose. You can put at least 6 layers of fabric on the die and cut it. The large models do more, some are powered. I've read that Go is bringing out a smaller powered model.

I started with the Sizzix for paper crafting, got rid of most of the stuff except the original Big Kick and embossing dies. So buying Sizzix dies was a no brainer since I had the machine.

I have the GO and love it. I find it very easy to use. There is also huge selection of dies and while some are expensive, I find most are reasonable priced when compared to like machines by other companies. It's worth the cost to be able to cut out a king size quilt in a few hours rather than taking days. Check out the ACCUQUILT die selection and price on-line. I think you will like what you see.

I have go baby and a sizzix smaller one. I would go for the big shot sizzix as dies from go fit.

Have you thought about the brother electric model I have heard it is very good and comes with about 300shapes too cut. Therefore don't need to keep buying more dies.

The biggest problem with the electric cutters is still how to get the most cuts. For instance, the Cameo only does 12 inches wide, but I can do 10 feet long. Most usually cut one layer at a time, so I might be able to lay out 3 4 inch squares on the width, and I'd need to count 4 4 inch squares in length. That's 16 inches. Now to figure out how to move and how much length of fabric I'd need. One the 12x12 mat, I'd only get 12 4 inch squares. I'd have to set up for enough fabric length to get 100 squares.

I've cut some complicated paper stuff on the Cameo, and it seems that doing a few layers at once on the die cutters is more efficient.

If you are doing a quilt with all different blocks and sizes of pieces, the electronic cutter is better. Easier to size, rather than find a die.

I concur! I just bought one and it's great. I bought mine on Amazon for about $100. I've bought and tested Accuquilt dies, Sizzix dies, and of course the Fuse die it came with. All work great. It's 12-1/2 inches wide so it can handle most of the Accuquilt dies. The Sizzix shims work great; for my Accuquilt die I use the Sizzix shim plus a piece of acrylic I had laying around the house and it's *perfect*. (The acrylic is .0925 thick - buy a scrap at any hardware store)

So much cheaper than either the Go or the Big Shot - leaves me with more to spend on fabric & dies! And it folds up nice and small. It sure is heavy though - made with lots of metal, which is a good thing.