AccuQuilt
 

I use and enjoy AccuQuilt but I'm wondering when they're going to slow down on releasing new dies? It does save so much time. I love it now that they take PayPal for payment and PayPal has a pay over time (2 months). It's great with all these new releases. It's easy to spend more than anticipated.

My current question. Having so many 10" precuts has anyone thought of using the bowl cozy with them? You'd loose the seam allowance but you'd get the rounded edge and dart cuts. A very scan 1/4" could be used so as not to loose too much size.

You must have the Go Big! I love my Accuquilt Go! It is in use almost daily. I know what you mean about new die releases. Seems like at least on a month right now. Deciding when to say know can be difficult but that is exactly what I am doing right now, saying no to the last few they have had. I am finding myself looking at used dies more often as they are more affordable. In less than a year I have close to 40 dies to work with and that is enough for some time to come. Now that doesn't mean I will stop watching, you never know when that new die might call my name. I do wish the Go! could cut a 10" square.

If there is a die or dies, that is the shape I need to make the quilt I want to make then I buy it. I consider it part of the cost of the quilt like the pattern, fabric, and thread. The new dies so far this year aren't ones I want to have. My last die was the Cleopatra's Fan die. It was so much easier and faster using the die then the templates.

I love my Accuquilt, but I have a tendency to buy only general purpose dies. I have 8” and 12” Qubes so I have all the standard pieces in 2,3,4, and 6” finished sizes plus a number of strip dies. I bought the 7” Drunkard’s Path, and I have a 4” tumbler, but BOBs just don’t excite me. Maybe because I have so so so many quilts I want to make that use what I have. I have one set of holiday appliqués that I got on a screaming good used deal, plus a set of lower case letters I intend on using on all the specific baby quilts I make from now on. Ummm, maybe I really do have an addiction LOL! My quilting precision has increased dramatically. I guess I just wasn’t a good cutter.

I bought the AccuQuilt Studio and a bunch of strip dies, most of which I use regularly. I don't plan on buying more.

I love using my accu-quilt for cutting projects. I would use yardage and cut WOF strips instead of trying to make layer cakes fit. The other option is to use scraps and make a four patch. Then cut on the die. I watched the tutorial for the bowl. Are two layers of batting necessary? I would trim out the batting along the seam line to reduce bulk. it only take a few minutes and gives a better result.

There are templates available to fit layer cakes.

https://winner-designs.myshopify.com...-10-layer-cake

A little bit of inspiration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX1IO-PuQyc

PS: I don't use these in the micro-wave. They are used after wards or for eating ice-cream.

To test the batting for the bowls, toss a piece of the batting in the microwave for 3 min or more. If it gets hot (or burns) don't use it. I have had 100% cotton burn after one minute. 80/20 never got hot. I test each batting before I use it for bowl cozies.

Now I am the exact opposite I love the BOB dies. I have found that they frequently have pieces I need for other projects and give me the perfect blocks. I have 3/4 of the circle that indicate I can finish any block they have out. The BOB allow me to make many of my favorite blocks and explore many new designs. When buying BOB dies I try to be sure they are dies I will use again. There have been a few new dies that were of interest to me but I only bought the one package. The last 3 were of interest but not enough interest to even consider spending the money.

I will buy a BOB die, I most of them.

I'm getting ready to do a quilt from RuthAnn Barry's 3D pattern book--it's all equilateral triangles. So ordered the Accuquilt 4" triangles on Wed and got it today! Realize I live just 4 hours from thte headquarters--but wow! I'm thilled since I'm worried I may not have bought enough fabric yesterday! great service.

I also have the common dies but I bought a Bob and companion set this year. I haven't used them yet but will. My problem is I don't have a good setup for my system. I think that's important and I need to figure something out. I don't use it enough because of that.

I love my AccuQuilt. I have a Go big here at home and go baby at camp. I just wish they would tell us what dies to use when doing the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt. I have lots of dies but I’m not good at realizing that I might “have a die for that.”

Terry, have you taken the Accuquilt virtual class about the grid system? It shows you have to deconstruct a quilt block into Accuquilt components. It is offered through Accuquilt dealers for free, but you have to be able to be on-line when the class is offered since they don’t record it. I bought my Accuquilt just before COVID lockdown, and the virtual classes and the weekly Wednesday video classes have been my lifeline,

I downloaded some kind of a chart from accuquilt that listed all their dies and their shapes and sizes....I took that list and highlighted all the dies that I have in yellow.....so...when Bonnies clues start coming out....all I have to do is grab my list and see if I have a die that cuts out the size I need....just make sure it is the right size depending on if it is unfinished or finished size...I found that I have used a lot of the smaller (1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2 inch) straight dies, square dies (2, 2.5, and 3.5), and half square triangle dies the most and of course I had to buy one of those triangle in a square die...which is the only one I had to change my seam width on to get the finished block to be the right size....oh...and I like the dies that have all the same size and shape in multiple on them...for that reason, I do not buy the Cubes. easier to cut for Bonnie's mysteries as they really use a lot of little pieces....

Susie,
I agree that the system has to be out to be out available to use. I have the cubes on two shelves. They are easy to use. The other dies are stored in the AQ storage bins by shapes. There are some extra dies stored in a plastic bin.

Long strip dies are stored on one of the wire organizers and put inside this hamper. Labels on the top edge of each die so I can grab the right one.

https://www.containerstore.com/s?sou...=poppin+hamper

If you have a local dealer, ask for a catalog. You can also down load one from the site. Put the sheets in page protectors.
I used small sticky dots from the office store. I put a dot on each size. Example: The 6 inch cube gets yellow dots, the 8 inch cube gets red dots. I can look at the sheets and tell what I have.

I have this chart for reference too.

https://www.accuquilt.com/media/asse...hart-QQJ29.pdf

I don't have a good place either I tend to use the floor of my sewing studio for cutting. It works for now. This morning I cut 5 Starry Path blocks out to make a wall hanging. I should have a good idea by tomorrow just how it all will come together.

I found a large L shape table at a furniture store on sale and knew at once it was perfect for my Go and dies. I I gave up a corner of my sewing room but it sure makes a big difference having a dedicated space to have it all ready to use when needed.

Thanks Susie for the link. I went and D/L it right away.

Cut out triangles this afternoon--need to get more fabric on Monday! But so quick--tons of them in about one hour.

Thanks, Julia, Onebyone and Rhonda for the great tips and links! I swear my sewing room keeps shrinking lol.

Accuquilt has been part of my retail therapy since my husband and I are high risk and stay home ALL THE TIME! I'm pretty sure I'm coming out ahead. The money I've saved on getting my hair cut and colored and going out to eat is far more than I've spent on quilting.

As I was getting the new BOB dies, I was churning out quilts faster than I ever had before. Before I knew it, in a few months, I had 5 flimsies that needed quilting. I am really enjoying cutting out and piecing the quilts -- not so much the quilting.

I'm grateful for Accuquilt and the entertainment it has provided me.

Found a couple more tips for you. These are in the archives so hard to find sometimes.

Organizing

https://www.accuquilt.com/blog/categ...g-your-studio/

A little inspiration with patterns

https://www.accuquilt.com/blog/categ...sby-2-authors/

There are templates available to fit layer cakes.
https://winner-designs.myshopify.com...-10-layer-cake

Rhonda K...I too use these templates. They made a huge difference in my bowl shapes.