AccuQuilt
 

Anyone have one of these? How do you like it? Yesterday they had an online presentation, virtual, but it didn't go well. They did follow up and send the hour presentation to those who had registered for the free demo session the next day. It cut off, and apparently they picked up on Facebook (which I don't have) and youtube. Didn't send a link to Facebook or Youtube so I missed the live and opportunity to ask questions. Notification to go to these two social medias was 30 minutes later. Maybe they will have luck next time.

I have questions which I know users would answer honestly. How long do these "die cuts" stay sharp? Can they be sharped? Or does one have to purchase new ones? How long does the cutting matt that covers the dies as they are run through the machine last? If they crack or break, is replacement covered free or does one have to buy a new one? What is the learning curve? Was it very easy to use out of the box?

I have read a lot of reviews and its setting off warning bells. Matts cracking or shattering after very little use. Dies not cutting as stated. The auto feed version, messing up after short use. The manual, or hand crank version hard to crank or those with arthritic wrists or hands having issues.

I open some of you have used this, or are using it now and have good results that you share. Not all negative reviews online are true per-say, could be a lot of operator error. Guess I am trying to research and find out all I can from real users to make a decision to purchase this or not. Great concept, but is this too early to buy one and should wait another year or so?

Thanks for your input, experience and by the way, is the rotary cutter still the best option? Seems to me it is with better ways to speed cut and piece together than the machine.

I have a Sizzix Big Shot Plus die cutter that I absolutely love. I can use the AccuQuilt dies or Siizzix dies in my Sizzix. Both the initial Sizzix "machine" and dies are MUCH less expensive than the AccuQuilt versions, but work exactly the same way. (For example, a die to cut 2-1/2" strips is $40 for Sizzix compared to $80.45 for an Accuquilt die the last time I checked on Amazon.)
The dies do dull after 100's of cuts. I haven't tried to sharpen mine yet. As for the clear cutting pads/mats, I have never had a problem with one breaking or cracking and I've used them a LOT. I saw a YouTube video where someone substituted a regular cutting mat for the clear Sizzix mat/pad. I ordered a large self healing cutting mat from an online art supply source for $30 and my husband cut it into 4 mats sized for the Sizzix. They work just like the Sizzix mats, but are a lot cheaper. I really like my Sizzix Big Shot Plus - it saves me lots of time and the cuts are always perfect.

Thanks Bonnie. I will check that out for sure!!

I never rotary cut when I can roll a die through the baby machine or use the electric one. They are both out on the work table for quick and easy cutting of projects.

You can do a search for previous posts on the systems. Multiple threads and posts will come up here on the boards with lots of great information that will answer many of your questions. You will find that many members do have positive reviews for the AQ.

Mats are a wearable item and need to be replaced just like rotary blades and needles The mats should be shifted when placing on the die to avoid repeat cut lines. I've never seen or heard of one that cracks or breaks. I keep some new ones in the bin. However, I still have original mats from my purchases in 2015 that I use.

Good luck with your decision.

The die cut machines for fabric have been around for years. People bought them for paper and discovered fabric cut just fine too. Accuquilt has the most dies made for quilting. I've had mine since 2006. I 've never had a die shatter, never heard anyone have that problem, my first dies are still as sharp as my last new one. I have the Accuquilt Go and Go Me and the Go Big. Most of my my guild members have one. Many have the electric one. I have about 100 dies collected over the years.The mats will get enough cuts to crack after being used over and over. The larger size is the Studio which takes different dies then the Go. The studio cuts more layers at one time. I would not hesitate to buy another if mine broke. I use it for 95% of my fabric cutting. Those that have a lot of fabric waste never learned to use it properly or watched a fast demo where fabric waste was not considered.

I have a Go and a Go Me (I think that's the name of it- the small one). I love them. The mats eventually wear out but they aren't expensive. I haven't had dies get dull yet. They're quite sturdy.
One thing I don't like are those classes you mentioned. Talk about boring! I couldn't finish it. It seemed like they just rambled on and on.
I think Accuquilt is really pricey though. But I love the precision it affords.

I have the Studio 2 and all the strip dies for it. I don't really want the other dies because they don't fit in with the way I make quilts. I don't have a problem cranking it, but I think it would be hard for someone with hand or shoulder problems. I just bought a new plastic because the old one is very scratched, but it still works. As far as I can tell, the dies are as sharp as ever. The Studio 2 is very heavy, so I keep it set up on one end of my cutting table. The big strip dies are also heavy and take some space to store, so that's another thing to consider. I am glad I purchased my AccuQuilt, and I use it quite a bit.

I have the Accuquilt GoBig. I love mine. I have used the dies for cutting thousands of covid 19 masks and it saved my cutting hand. I never could have cut that many by hand! You do need to replace the cutting mats after they wear out, but the dies seem to last forever. You may want to consider the Studio 2 by Accuquilt, if you have no health issues. It is hand crank, supposed to be easier to crank than the Accuquilt Go. Plus the dies go on sale for the Studio more often than the regular Go dies. You can cut up to 10 layers of fabric at one swipe with the Studio, as opposed to up to 6 layers of fabric with the Go. But it does require more space and is heavier.

I have the Go big and love it. I did crack one of my mats for 2 1/2 inch strips. I put it in crooked and it cracked cause of the fit. I did not have a lot of dies but I am now getting a few. I got the electric die because my should was hurting and hands from cutting with rotary cutter. I still use cutter but not as much. The die I have are still sharp. You can spend a lot of money every time you order things.

I love, love, love my Accuquilt. It is so fast and accurate. Right now I am doing a quilt with equilateral triangles - yup, two bias edges. There are little notches cut on the sides to allow perfect matching. You still need to prep your fabric correctly, press it well, and use starch or sizing if you will have bias edges, but that is pretty much the same as regular cutting. You also need to position the fabric so it cuts with the lengthwise grain. Right now they are having very good sales, but I doubt they will continue past Christmas. Oh, and the Accuquilt videos all end up on YouTube in addition to Facebook. As to your other questions, the die boards last pretty much forever, but the mats used with them only last for a few hundred cuts. Buy spares when they have a good sale. You have to match the die board to a mat size, so you will,end up with a big assortment.

Never thought of starching! Great idea. LOVE mine, especially the specialty dies. Just bought the mariners one with the mat bundled as they were selling for the same price as the die itself. I can't imagine cutting out those individual pieces.

I have a Go cutter. It hasn't held up very well.

I have had the accuquilt go since 2012 and have had no problems with it. The mats do wear out but it takes a hundreds of cuts before they do. They are relatively inexpensive to replace. My dies are still as sharp as when they were new. I mainly use my cutter to cut the shapes that are hard to do by hand and impossible by rotary cutter: circles, stars, hexagons, hearts, feathers,flowers, stems,etc.
I have had only one issue with a die I bought last year.....the "2 1/2 multiples" it cuts 9 2 1/2 inch squares at once and is perfect for cutting scraps into 2 1/2 squares. The die when it was new had several places that just didn't cut all the way through. Returned it to the dealer and she replaced it with a new one that cuts perfectly. I think it was just a manufacturing defect.

I have had a Go Baby (which is manual) for several years and can't tell you if the dies lose their sharpness because I haven't used it in over a year. The dies are very expensive so I don't have many of them. If you can afford to purchase a wide variety of dies and if your space allows you to keep your machine at the ready all the time, I would say go for it.

The die that came with my Go in 2006 is as sharp now as it was then It is the value die for fat quarters and I have used it probably 500 times. I have had to re glue the foam down on it though but I think that was because water was spilled on it. I haven't babied it at all. The Go fell off the top of the car and hit the pavement once (got a little crack in the housing, glued it over), fell down the stairs, and survived play dough flattening, thank goodness no dies were involved in that. Just put between two mats. LOL Worked great.

Your Go has 9 lives haha!!

I have a sizzix big shot, hardly use it. Dies to me are very expensive. The caveat is they are only one size too.getting the smaller system with gift card help me really discover that I would rather spend my hard earned money on fabric and other tools that will get more use like my stripology ruler from creative grids a way better investment to me, can cut multiple size straps fast without investing in multiple dies. If my arthritis gets bad somewhere down the line I will invest in an electric go but as of now, not needed, save the money unless you have endless funds IMHO

I love my Accuquilt Go! I have had at close to a year. So my mats are is great shape still. I figure at least another year before I will replacing mats and yes you do pay for them each time you need a new one. I use my accuquilt almost daily. There is always a new quilt at hand for me to be making. The dies are made to last a very very long time. I have become use to buying used dies as after a quilt or 2 many people feel they no longer want a certain die and sell them for a discounted price. I have never had a problem with a used die either. Buying from Accuquilt there is a 1 yr warrantee on dies. I hemmed and hawed buying different systems and finally decided on Accuquilt and have no regrets. It is perfect for my quilting needs. No regrets. I would strongly suggest looking on Market Place and buying used to save some money. If not buy from LQS or Accuquilt is also a go choice. I even bought my system used and saved a bundle. The learning curve is so easy. I was able to jump right in and make a fantastic Apple Core quilt the first day and master the curves so easily I couldn't believe it at all!
It is a perfect cutting system for my tired hands. I only rarely use a rotary cutter any more and that is to just trim pieces to fit the Accuquilt and make way for perfect cut pieces. Enjoy!!

I 2nd this, love my Sizzix! Cut out 200 Dresden plate shapes this week. I never thought of using a cutting mat though, sounds like a good idea.
I recently saw where Sizzix has an electric Big Shot model out (not the Vagabond) , it was on sale this week, regular price $229. on sale on Amazon $158, and since it is my birthday next week, I ordered it. When it arrives I'll do a review.
I actually haven't had a problem with the manual crank but I'm 81, had one shoulder replacement surgery (not because of the Sizzix) and want to avoid any extra strain.

I started out with the Manual Crank Go and upgraded a couple of yrs ago to Electric. Depending on the no. Of fabrics you are trying to cut at one time the Manual is hard on your wrist/shoulders but I used it on/off for 10 yrs. I have used my mats over/over again if you keep turning them in all directions with each cut they last longer. Never had any crack. My dies are still sharp you just have to make sure you pick out threads/fabric bits that may get caught. They supply the pick so you can maintain your dies.
My suggestion is if your going to buy go for the Electric it’s so much easier...Mindless work...
Note...Don’t buy dies your only going to use once or twice. Stick to dies that you will get the most use out of. How do I know I bought dies that sit or haven’t been unwrapped.

You don't need endless funds to have a Accuquilt and dies. If that was the case no one would have one. Watch for sales and resell dies. My sew group all have an Accuquilt and we share dies. Start with a BOB die. Those have been my favorites of all the dies. All the shapes are cut for the block, no recutting needed from a strip or square.

I am another Accuquilt fan. Bought the GO at the Road to CA show 9 years ago. My first dies were the 2.5 in. strip die, the 1.5 in. strip die, and the small and large tumblers. They are still going strong. And the other selling point is the speed. A friend and I cut out the Double Wedding Ring pieces for a king size quilt in just over an hour. And it was the one where the arcs are pieced. She ironed and starched the fabric and I ran it thru the cutter. And since I have an embroidery machine it cuts out my appliqué pieces too. I could go on but I recommend you watch some of the videos. Yes, there is a lot of selling doing on - they have a product to sell - but I have not regretted buying it ever.

I just bought one in the Cyber Monday sales and it arrived this week. Today, I used it for the first time and it was very easy to set up and start using. It worked flawlessly and created such lovely, accurate triangles. I needed 240 triangles and couldn't believe how quickly I got them done and how easy it was to sew them together and the units did not need any trimming! Obviously I can't comment on longevity, but the learning curve was easy and I found it very easy to use the manual crank (very smooth).

Absolutely Love my Go Big Accuquilt cutter-over time I have collected almost all the strip dies because that's what I use the most. Accuquilt has changed my quilting, I now am able to do patterns I would have never thought to tackle before due to all the cutting. I watch a lot of the on line live classes & have gotten some very good deals. It can be a little pricy first getting started but that's where you have to decide just how much you think you will use it. I have no regrets with mine.

Accuquilt experience
 

Here's what I've done so far with my new Go Big and the one cutter that was included. The plan is to get the scraps under control and so far I think this is going to work. Four days of sorting, cutting, and sewing resulted in this so far.

I'm going to call this one "I Will Cut You"

The sashing fabric is little scissors, haha.

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