AccuQuiltGo
 

I cut out 5" squares with the AccuQuilt Go this weekend, I am trying to make a Jacob's ladder in tan and off white, completed one square and noticied that it was not laying right. I checked all my seams, perfect 1/4" seam - then I check the fabric. One side only measures 4 7/8"!!! The machine and die set that is suppose to make your cutting in less and time and be more accurate DOES NOT WORK!!! I emailed the company but have not heard back from the yet. This is the third time I used the 5" square die, two times for my volunteer group to cut blocks for an elderly person not able to cut anymore, they never said they had a problem. This is the first time I cut block for my self, very DISAPPOINTED!!! So now to save this project, I think I will manually cut the squares down to 4 1/2" so I don't have to deal with halfing 4 7/8" pieces - Do you think this will work for a Jacob's ladder?
Thanks
NormaBeth:thumbdown:

I didn' have any problem cutting the 5" squares. They all come out exactly to 5".

My 5" die cuts perfect 5" squares also! I have never made a Jacob's ladder so I don't know about whether the smaller squares will work or not. Someone will come along and give you some good advice.

I was cutting 2" charms with my value die and they were coming out perfect. Then I noticed that one edge was coming out wonky. After I examined the die closer, I noticed that the blade cutting the wonky side was bent inward. I had cut using only 6 layers. I emailed Accuquilt and explained what was going on and they sent me out a replacement die free of charge.

Actually, this is a known problem. I am curious to know if you prewashed the fabric? I think this is less of a problem if you cut unwashed fabric because of the stabilizers in the fabric as it comes from the factory. (But this is my own suspicion.)

The company recommends cutting so that the grain going underneath the roller is the lengthwise grain, not the crosswise; lengthwise grain has less stretch than crosswise. It also recommends putting a piece of paper between the die and the fabric and cutting both simultaneously. (Inexpensive coffee filters are supposed to work well for this.) Heavily starching the fabric before cutting likely helps too.

It's possible you got a bad die, but most often the problem seems to be that the fabric stretches while being rolled. Anything that stabilizes the fabric so it doesn't stretch seems to help. I know from my own use that the cutter becomes easier to turn with use, so I also think that with use the roller puts less pressure on the fabric and therefore causes less distortion as it is rolled.

You might want to join the accucutquilters group on groups.yahoo.com as this problem has been discussed many times there.

[QUOTE=Prism99;5369467]It also recommends putting a piece of paper between the die and the fabric and cutting both simultaneously. (Inexpensive coffee filters are supposed to work well for this.) Heavily starching the fabric before cutting likely helps too.

QUOTE]

I put pages from an old magazine between the die and my fabric, especially when I use my rag die.

This is the first I've heard of this machine. I have been out of the loop of quilting for awhile. Do you all like your Accu machines? Any advice for me when I thinking if I want one?

It's a die cutting machine for fabric. There are lots of Youtube video demonstrations of it; just search on Accuquilt Go. (Be aware that most of the demo's show lots of fabric waste; there is actually very little waste if you position fabric at home -- very similar to the waste from cutting with a ruler.)

I find the Go! most useful for cutting triangles -- very exact cutting with the dog ears lobbed off. The triangles are cut so perfectly it's really easy to match them for sewing. It is also great for odd shapes, rag squares, and fusible applique. If you have difficulty cutting straight strips without "bends" in the middle, then it is great for that too. (I personally prefer the June Taylor shape cut mat for cutting strips.)

Manufacturer's website is http://www.accuquilt.com/ but I think the Youtube videos are more helpful.

AccuQuilt Go Die
 

I iron and startch my fabric before cutting. I contacted the company, I did the paper test, and it still is not even. I can't find the receipt for this die so I am SOL - I purchased the Go in November 2010, so it had to be sometime in 2011 that I purchased this die - since I can't prove the age of the die I am stuck with it - won't be buying and any ;)new dies soon. Now a question to all, do you save all your receipts from the fabric stores?

If you bought the on the Accucut website or rep you don't need a receipt. It's in their records. If you bough it online or with a credit card it's easy to get a past record of your account. I never pay cash other then debit card for items that may need replacing while under warranty. I don't save fabric receipts, no need when using a debit or credit card. I let the company keep the receipts for me. Just one less thing I have to keep up with.

I have the Go! and the Studio. I've had two problems with the Go! dies - both bought from and returned to Jo-Anns for replacement. The second set worked perfectly. I've had a problem with the standard die - my 4.5" squares weren't square but the paper I tested the die with was so I'm thinking I must have put some material through off grain. I was cutting down Moda squares and if they weren't cut on grain that might explain it. I'd just assumed they would be.
Accuquilt offered to replace the hexagon die that had a kink in one side of the middle section but I would have had to pay shipping and it proved easier to wait until I was going into town - 70 miles away - later that week. Jo-Ann have no problem replacing faulty goods but I normally get my dies direct from Accuquilt.
Ebony Love is bringing out a book later this year on how to use all the top line die machines properly so that should prove useful since she's the person with 50 how-to videos on the subject online.

I am one of those Accuquilt Go owners that wishes I had never bought one. The learning curve, and all the do this, do that, then starch, prewash, or don't prewash drove me up the wall. I tried cutting strips and had to resort to 2 layers using paper. The die seemed to get dull, the mat was scored, and I gave up. my goal is one day to spend 8 hours or so, just implementing all the suggestions. But when the quilting bug bites, I want to forge ahead, not play with a machine. I guess if I did standard quilts, where I needed lots of one cut, it will come in handy.

how many layers did you try to cut at one time? I have never had a problem.

I found I had the same problem and then put the paper on top of the fabric before the cutting mat and presto they came out perfect! Who woulda thunk it!

I have noticed that once the die starts going, if you don't touch it as it goes through, you get a truer cut. Other than that, I don't have an answer for you. But, I am sure you can still use the blocks.

I use paper on top of my die blades under the fabric for just about all my cuts. I don't have to worry about grain when I use paper. I got that hint from card makers using the big machine. Mats are suppose to get scored. They are disposable so keep a good supply of them on hand. I love my Go, it saves me so much time and I rarely get a miss cut. I don't remember having a learning curve though. Just followed the instructions on each die package and didn't have any problems.

I have had a learning curve on my accuquilt, especially with strip cutters. When I starch and press them before cutting, they come our fine.

I have only had an issue with the square dies...but you can still sew with them...just off a bit but does not show when you sew..I love all of the other dies...totally worth it!

I do save my fabric receipts ... Just throw them into a shoe box ... It has proven very handy ... When I want to return ...