AccuQuilt vs. Sizzix
 

Does anyone have the Sizzix cutting machines?

I am curious how/if they are comparable to AccuQuilt.

I am not an appliquer and I can't see myself becoming one. What I would like a cutting machine for is:

1. One Block Wonder repeats (equilateral triangles through 6 layers of fabric at the same time)

2. Other cutting of strips and triangles.

As you can see, I don't do a lot of fancy cutting e.g. curved pieces

What size of machine should I buy?

I have read in more than one place that AccuQuilt will no longer be sold through distributors and therefore I would be paying US dollars and buying from AccuQuilt US (I'm Canadian and our dollar sucks!)

The reason I am so interested in these types of machines is that I suck at cutting. No matter how hard I try to be accurate.

I sincerely appreciate everybody's thoughts.

Lynda

I have both GO and Big Shot......the GO has more choices of dies, but also more expensive. The big shot (Sizzix) can cut x8 layers, but I don't push either to their max...I usually keep max at 4 layers for both. I like both machines...have way more GO dies...but as far as generic geometric shapes.....cheaper at Sizzix...if it's the size you want....BUT...now I notice even Sizzix prices are going up a bit. You also have to order direct from Sizzix....at least I do...there was a short time that Hobby lobby carried but no more....

If you decide on the Accuquilt Go!, I would recommend getting their newer electric version. I have the hand crank and, while I appreciate having it, I would prefer not to have to crank over and over again.

Edit: Sometimes used Go!s show up on yahoo groups (especially the hand crank Go!, as some people upgrade to the electric version). You might want to join the sewitsforsale group and the accucutquilters at groups.yahoo.com and either watch for ads or post an ISO (in search of) ad for the cutter you want.

I have the Sizzix Big Shot Pro (which is their largest hand cranked machine) and I use Accuquilt dies with it. You can use just about anyone's dies with the Big Shot Pro that you want. It is larger than the Accuquilt Go machines, more comparable to the largest machine that Accuquilt makes.

I've cut at least 10 layers of fabric at a time (maybe more) with my Big Shot Pro using Accuquilt dies. You can also buy Sizzix dies on Amazon.com and also directly from Sizzix/Ellison. I love my Big Shot Pro. There is a metal housing over top of the roller which allows you to use your non-cranking hand to hold on to the machine for leverage when cranking really thick layers through and that means less time spent cranking/cutting since you are cutting more pieces at a time.

I use mine for cutting small squares, half square triangles, etc. when I'm doing a quilt that requires lots of them. It really does save time.

Rob

I have the Go and the Go Big. I use them both. I am the type that wants the right tool for the job, no matter if I use just once. I don't think the die machine makes that much difference, it's the dies that are important.

I have both the Big Kick (original Big Shot) and the Go. The Sizzix works perfectly well. I'd used the Big Kick for card making for years. I only switched as Sizzix dropped a strip die I needed and didn't have quarter square triangles. The Go does. I can't say about the cutting pads, the Sizzix has hard acrylic and the Go has a softer flexible material. I was using the cutting mats I had for cardmaking. They looked terrible but still worked. They must have been over 10 years old.

I mostly have squares and triangles, plus the machine and all the mats. Worked well. They were mostly 11/2 and 2 1/2, and 4 1/2 inch blocks and HSTs.

PM me if interested about more info. I need to find another home for it.

I have a Silhouette Cameo if I want to do applique. I tend to draw my own rather than use what's available.

I used to have the GO! but now have the Big Shot Pro. I love this machine! Its easier to turn and sturdier than the GO!. Its more in line with the Accuquilt Studio. I can use both Sizzix and Accuqiult dies. It will also take the Studio dies. I really like that you can cut more layers at a time with this machine than with the GO! The Sizzix dies feel sturdier and stronger than the GO!. Best of all, its way cheaper and the Sizzix dies are also cheaper. BTW, Scrapbook.com carries Sizzix dies and has frequent sales on them. The best place I've seen to buy the Big Shot Pro is Overstock.com. as they carry a "package" that includes all the extra long cutting pads you need to utilize the larger dies, this is the package aimed at quilting, rather than paper and craft cutting (although you can use it for both).

Hope this helps!

Solomae

I can use the Studio dies in my Big Shot Pro, which is a big plus if you are cutting a lot of the same shape. They cut more layers and are much sturdier, as they have a larger wooden base and a rubber surround instead of the foam. I use my BSP and GO, but I tend to use the BSP a lot more. I have the extended tray for the BSP, so I can use the longer strip dies quite easily. It turns a lot easier that the GO, too. Of course, if you get the new electric GO, you don't have to worry about cranking the die through, the machine does it for you.

I have the Big Shot Pro by Sizzix since I can use the Sizzix dies in it, the Go dies and the Studio dies by Accuquilt. The only dies that will not work are the over sized dies by Accuquilt. I also prefer the Sizzix dies over the Accuquilt dies for many reasons.

Be sure to check on eBay for any bargains.

DH put heavy duty new bearings in my Go manual crank. Very easy to do. It turns like butter with six layers of fabric. My Go is one of the first ones made and the bearings are HK2010 Needle Roller Bearing. There are four bearings, one on each end of the two rollers.

DH bought me the Go BIG for Christmas last year. You can still buy through dealers in Canada ... go on the AccuQuilt website and search 'em out ... we got a great deal on mine even with the crappy dollar ... but be warned the dies add up ...

I don't have a DH to do that...and I wouldn't know how or where to get the bearings

AccuQuilt vs. Sizzix
 

I sold the Go and purchased Sizzix Big Shot Pro.

It seems much better quality....Always felt the Go was going to break when I
was cranking the handle to cut fabric.

The Sizzix is much sturdier...and I can purchase other companies dies if I can't
get what I want from Sizzix...Sizzix has many dies and are always adding more.

Peg

I have the smaller sizzix and it is very sturdy, one of the reason I chose it over accuquilt. If I ever have the bunds I will invest in a pro but don't use it enough to buy yet

I have the Fiskars Fuse machine - it can handle both Sizzix and Accuquilt dies, you just have to shim them properly. It took me a bit of experimenting to figure out the perfect shim sizes, but now that I have it all worked out it's a pretty handy machine. It's a very heavy and sturdy machine and I think it cost less than either the Big Shot or Go!. It can't handle the new Go Big dies though - not wide enough. It's the same width as Big Shot or the standard Go! size machine. (Bigger than Go Baby)

I only use it for curved or rag pieces, though. I bought it intending to use it to dice up my scraps into squares and rectangles, but have discovered that for straight cuts, I'm faster and create a lot less waste by using my June Tailor strip-cut ruler and rotary blade. So far I haven't gotten the arthritis curse, but judging from all the women in my family it's right around the corner for me. I anticipate I will use the die cutter a lot more when my hands start to go.

I have a go and I love it. I have about 18 dies and more to get. I love the perfect cut everytime. I don't know much about the Sizzix.

Sewnoma,

I have just become familiar with the June Tailor strip-cut ruler. I am curious about whether they wear out? The plastic appears to be less rigid than a normal rotary cutter ruler and I wonder about slicing through it with a rotary cutter.

I have the sissix and use some go dies. However you can not use sissix dies in a go. Maybe that can help you on your decision.

I have had mine for several years and it shows no sings of wearing out. I don't think that you would be able to slice it with a rotary cutter. Get the one that is 18" if you can.

I have a Studio and love it. I got rid of both the Go and Go Baby, which are not that sturdy. I have used Sissix dies in my Studio, but have to be careful with them. The dies don't seem as sturdy.

Accuquilt is having a sale now on the Go's, but it's not as good as the one at beginning of the month. You could look for a used one.

The Creative Grids Stripologly ruler better then the JuneTaylor strip one.

Hello All, I just purchased the Big Shot Pro, will be delivered next week. Have a Vagabond and love it but wanted to use larger dies and option of using Accuquilt. I bought a book by Ebony Love and it is very helpful but I'm still not sure how to shim a Big Shot Pro for an Accuquilt die, is there a method or trial and error by adding card stock? Also wondering if you use the acrylic matts on a Pro with Accquilt dies or do you need to buy a plastic Accuquilt mat?

I'm excited to get the machine, I purchased on Overstock with an 11" Scallop die. Wanted the white/gray but for the price difference and a free die, decided I could live with the blue/purple? one and figure I will make a cover for it anyway. Glad to hear good things about the pro, I bought the crazy quilt die to see if I like that for piecing.

I got out my book and found answers to the questions I asked above so thought I would share what I read-States you need 1-2 layers of thin cardboard and 2 Mylar shims to use go dies in the big shot pro or purchase the go die adapter and also states it is best to use the Sizzix cuting pads.

i just purchased the studio fabric cutter, havent tried it, but im hopeful, i purchased it for a very good price, i dont have the sixxix, so im not sure what that one does, the studio is suppose to cut up to 10 layers of fabric. whatever you choose i sure you will like it.

I have had my shape cut (the original) for over 10 years and it is still in good shape and is still a go-to for cutting strips. I recently got the 18" one from JA's and love it too. I have never cut a sliver off the shape cut.

Amazon is the easiest place. They are inexpensive.

I use an old catalog, some sheets of card stock, or a few pages of an old magazine as shims in my Sizzix. Works fine. I do use the sizzix cutting pads.