Accuquilt...is it worth it?
 

I have lupus and am always looking for easier ways to keep doing what I love. I have looked and looked at accuquilt and I am still so up in the air about it. On the one hand, yes, I hate spending the two to three days it takes to cut out a project and this would save so much time. On the other hand, in order to get all the pieces I wanted it would cost me a couple months salary and even then some of the shapes I commonly use aren't available in their dies yet. I did debate just going with strip dies which would cut about half of my hand cutting down, cut the strips on the accuquilt and rotary cut my squares/triangles from there. I would love to hear from some people who have one. Is it really worth it or should I just spend that money on more fabric?

You should do a search here on the QB; there has been lots of threads posted on this very subject.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/search....archid=3166002

I personally love mine!

When I am having a hard time cutting due to my COPD, I buy precuts from ebay. I even have hooked up with a board member on here that would probably cut what you want. Her prices were great. This could be an option thatwould get you what you need without a major expense, plus get you the shapes you want that aren't available the other way.[email protected]

I have the Go! and would buy it again. The Studio model cuts more at one time but the dies for it are more expensive but more choice of dies. The Go Baby is inexpensive and has many die shapes. I buy dies when I find an online sale. Accuquilt has a daily sale on the website every day. I always check that out and each Friday on the facebook page a GoBaby or Go is usually a give a way prize. Several from this board have won one.

I have RA so can relate to what you are saying. I splurged and bought the Accuquilt Studio. Best investment I have made since I started quilting. It cuts the cutting time down by so much but the best part is it's accurate! I buy dies as I can afford them and am always looking for a sale on them. I am working on a tumbler block quilt right now and using the tumbler die I cut the entire quilt in a couple hours. You won't be sorry.

No, it is not worth it unless you want to cut out unusual shapes such as curves and appliqués, then yes. A June Tailor laser cut Pro Shape Cut Ruler and her Half/Quarter Square up ruler is all you need to cut strips, blocks, half and quarter squares. Your cutter fits into the slots, and zip, zip, zip everything is cut out very, very accurately. You can use it sitting down, too. You will need to decide.

I have the Go and have found it to be very useful. One thing for you to consider though, is the muscle power required to run the fabric and dies through the machine. Since you have RA, you might want to see if someone you know has the Go or the baby Go and would let you try it before you spend the money. It IS a timesaver and a really good idea, just a little too much force required for those of us who need a little extra help. Good luck!

I'm really ineterested in this thread as I go back & forth on whether or not to buy one of these (or another brand or any at all). Some days I kick myself for not buying one yet & other days I figure it will just be another machine to gather dust.

I love my studio - it is easy to cut layers of fabric quickly & accurately. They also now have adapters for the studio which allow one to use any of the dies that accuquilt makes with the studio. I think it is well worth it.

I have the Accuquilt Go and the Sizzix Big Shot Pro. The BSP is much easier to use, I can use my Go dies in it and can use any of the Studio dies that aren't too wide for it, but there is the selection of Sizzix dies I can use. I can easily take my GO to my sewing group if I want--can't do that easily with the BSP. And they are good for much more than applique shapes. I love doing Rag Quilts by cutting my pieces with the die and the batting with another die--no clipping to do my hand!

I have the Go! Baby and have used it way more than I ever thought I would.

I highly recommend you join the Yahoo group Pinsandneedles1. The owner of the group sells Accuquilt, Sizzix, and Slice products at the best prices I have found ANYWHERE, including coupons. The group is a great resource if you're trying to make a choice between systems.

Do you have a die cut machine or used one? The June Tailor is okay but can't compare to a die cut machine. I have the largest shape cut, it's still a ruler so I get miss cuts using it and achy hands. I also have the Alto Quilt Cut 2 system but that also uses a ruler and cutter.

I recently bought an Accuquilt Go and several dies. I really have enjoyed my new cutting tool. I find it very easy to use. My problem is ... I want more dies now. It seems the 'want' of something is always there. lol. And I still cut with my cutter, just not quite as much. If you are a strip, square or triangle person, the Accuquilt is a fun way to cut. I don't have any of the dies that would be appliques....yet.

I have the Studio and love it. It saves my hands and back a lot to where I can even sew after cutting something out. Before with rotary cutting I would have to cut what I could and then do something else after because my hands and back hurt so badly. Now I can cut and sew in the same day, amazing. Yes it costs a lot to get going. Start with a couple of dies you know you can use a lot and then keep adding to the pile.

6 of one half a dozen of the other
 

I have a big shot and use quilt shape dies from several companies. My only problem is I wish I had more width-now I can only go as wide as about 6 1/8". I want something wider and have looked at the accuquilt machine and even the big shot pro (and too many others to even list)....I only paid 59.99 (on sale, I did later buy longer pads for longer dies so that was an additional expense. I still need to get another pad set which is even longer) for my big shot, to gain another 6 inches in width will be a minimum 5 times what I originally paid..oh my!

I lean away from the accuquilt machine only because it can be a problem using other companies dies-it voids the warranty. I like being able to use any dies I want to. The sizzix site shows quite a few quilting dies that will work in the big shot, then again it has quite a few that won't-there again need the bigger machine

If anyone has any ideas or even more info on the accuquilt machine-I'd love the info, too. I'm gonna take my time figuring out what I plan on getting next.

With the bigger machine I also want to be able to use the dies I have already purchased from other companies.

The Sizzix Big Shot Pro has a 13 inch opening, so it will take large dies. It will also use the dies from other manufacturers. I use my Accuquilt dies in it just by using a shim under them to raise them high enough. The Accucut Studio dies work just as they are without a shim. It is a good bit larger than the Big Shot.

I had one and I didn't like it. The June Tailor Shape Cut Plus works way better for me and way faster. Like someone else said - zip, zip, zip and your done.

I really wanted an Accuquilt cutter of some kind. I just couldn't pay the prices I saw on the Accuquilt website. I happened to find qa GO at a yard sale for $75. It was new. I also purchased a 2" stripcutter there. I was absolutely doing the happy dance for several days after that. I have gotten dies on sale at various locations since then and have used my GO quite a bit. I have especially enjoyed having it for cutting 6 1/2" blocks for swaps. I have also used my 2 1/2" strip cutter. Recently I found an 8 1/2" die for $25. If I want another die, or think I need another one, I watch for sales. When I see a good one, I buy it.
There is a learning curve on the GO also. I have learned that I need to starch and iron my fabric before cutting to get the best cuts. I also cut only 3-4 layers of fabric at a time so that it isn't so hard to turn the handle. I have noticed, also, that it is easier to cut some striped fabric and to fancy cut on the June Taylor Shape cut or an appropriately sized ruler.
Needless to say, I love having the GO.

Do you find that using these machines waste a lot more fabric? I know nothing at all about any of these machines. That crossed my mind though. Thanks.

Just an FYI at the accuquilt retreat a few weeks ago they eluded to an electric one coming out for the people who have issues manually rolling for the cutter.

I have Lupus, RA, AS, IBM just to name the mane illnesses. I purchased the Accuquilt Go cutter and I love it. I would buy it again. The only ones I have a hard time with are the big rag dies. My husband cuts them for me. It not only cuts your cutting time by quilte a bit, it is accureate and I am able to cut fabric again for my quilt. Much cheaper then buying kits. I only buy the dies that I will need or when they are on sale. I have found Sew For Less (you can get the Go cutter on sale most of the time for $199 with free shipping) Faric Hut and a couple other places will have dies on sale most of the time. I have made several rag quilts and now applique is fun. Hope this helps you.

I have Carpal's Tunnel in both hands and it works for me...I love mine...dies are alittle pricey but I wait until their on sale to buy...

I have the Studio, and with frozen shoulders, it is a Godsend. Just cutting the strips accurately is a blessing for me. I have more than 15 dies and always find ways to use them. It all depends on how much you plan to use your equipment, I think. Mine has more than paid for itself in saved time and accurate cuts. Love it!

This subject has been hashed many many times. You will get many many answers. I happen to love my cutter and would recommend it. But most places that sale the Accuquilt will have one you can try out and cut something to see if you like it. Good luck.

I love mine but they are expensive. Also if you don't place the fabric right (something about the selvedge) it will stretch in the wrong direction. I have one and a bunch of dies. I probably won't get to use them enough to make it pay off. depends on your situation I would guess. The strip cutter I bought was a waste. It's faster and easier to cut them with a rotary cutter.

I bought the Go this year and certainly aren't sorry I did. I am asking for die sets etc for gifts from The Hubs and the kids.

I have RA and have the Go. It does take a little strength to turn the crank, but if you cut less material it is not bad. I went to a quilt show and demonstrated how you can cut alot of different shapes with just the strips. I would recommend that you get one. As the others said watch the sales on dies online. I have gotten several on ebay for really good prices.

There are sellers who offer the dies for much less money then stores or the Accuquilt site. Not sure if I can name one here but if you PM me I'll be glad to find the info for you.

I love my Go. I don't use it as often as I hand cut but, when I need it I really need it, especially for strips.

I have the Alto's QuiltCut 2, and I love it!

i love mine. it is totally worth it

I'm so glad that I discovered that there is an adapter (and tray) that allows me to cut my Go dies on the Studio cutter. I have RA and this has saved me so much time and energy. It's necessary to buy the large tray and adapter for the Studio, if you want to cut your Go strips on it. Then you can even cut two different 10" dies with one turn ( a much easier task than with the Accuquilt Go. The Studio or Grande Mark cutter (same equipment, except for the stickers), are frequently on sale for $399.00.

You don't cover the die with fabric. I have about 1/4" fabric waste around each die. I cut the fabric to fit the blades not the die. I mark 1/4" around the blade. The new dies have two color foam but I still use a Sharpie and draw the 1/4". I don't have any miss cuts so I save more fabric. I draw a line down the middle and diagonal across the shapes too. I can get lots of different shapes from one die. I try all kinds of cuts with the Go. Layer strips on the strip die horizontal and cut squares, you get lots of squares on the long strip die.

Some friends bought one together--each paid for 1/2 the cost and will share the dies. I know they will help each other with cutting, also. If you have a friend whom you trust to really share, that could be a good partnership. froggyintexas

I have the GO and I love it. Even though I have pain in my left hand It is so much worth the money to use this. It has saved time as well as pain in the hands and beck standing at a table to cut.Just make sure you get the dies you want in the whole system you buy. The plastic holder you buy to hold your dies dont buy them through Accucut because the kind you buy at WallMart in the kitchen dept to hold pan lids works just as well but maybe 1/3 the cost. You wont be sorry. DawnMarieodya

I thought the Accuquilt rack wasn't worth it until I got one. It's very sturdy and holds the dies perfectly. I have bought several more.

I have the Accuquilt and I love it. I don't have all the dies that I want, but I am gradually getting there. Gift certificates for dies for birthday, Christmas, etc. help to build the collection.

I just ordered almost $1000 worth of dies and the Accuquilt Go! from "Quiltinaday.com" when they had their birthday sale. I am anxious to get it so I can start using it. I also got onto eBay and have found some dies that are much more reasonable than in my LQS and on-line stores.

I love my Go, tho the dies are expensive so it is a matter of being practical and buying ones that I know I will use consistently. The strip cutters and half square triangles also the Dresden plate cutter is probably my most used dies. I found that occasionally on e-bay there are some good buys. The rag die is very much on my list, but will have to wait a while as a few bills have managed to get in the way. :-)

Taimi, I bought the GO Cutter and 3 extra dies, but I found out that you can cut the 2-1/2 " strips, then lay them across the strip die and cut them into 2-1/2" squares! also, on some of the other dies you can fold fabric and lay it over half of the die and cut different strips. I got a booklet (about 10 pgs) with numerous patterns to make with the dies that I hadn't thought of.
Another tip: I found Go cutter dies on clearance at nancysnotions.com = watch for the free shipping ads on that site.

My local sewing n vac shop has one with tons of dies. They train you to use it and will let you rent it for use in their shop for minimal price. Can't pass that deal up. One gal was cutting squares out for the rag quilt where it cuts the edges in little snips for you. When I watched do that I realized I would never be able to cut those without this device because my hands would not hold up and would be aching for weeks probably. I would never have known about this rental if I hadn't enter a jelly roll race at this shop last week. What a treat.