Acuquilt strictly for scraps
 

I would never use Accuquilt to create my blocks. I like Deb Hunter’s methods and tools. In our thinking we even reduce purchased patterns to the smallest unit and guesstimate our fabric requirements so we can use her tools and methods. That said, I have a lot of scraps I am starting to feel guilty about. My husband and I enjoy cutting out the fabric for quilts together. Would an Accuquilt really be worth it just to cut up scraps? Don’t think using it to cut up a bunch of strips then having to subcut into squares sounds like fun. Can you use it to cut small scraps into squares? What size would you start with? The dies are so expensive. I enjoy looking at other peoples scrap quilts but trying to create something out of all those scraps boggles my mind. I don’t even buy fabric unless I have a project in mind. What input and wisdom can you wizards of fabric and thread impart.

I was given a Sizzix for mothers day/birthday - for cutting other stuff - and honestly feel that by the time you take to set fabric & cutter in place, then wind it through, it would take longer to cut scraps into squares or triangles than the normal method. My arm would be worn out in half an hour.

I love my Acuquilt , I wished I would have bought this years ago,

First I would decide what kind of quilt I wanted to make with my scraps......string blocks, HST, nine patch, etc. then decide if you could cut them better by hand or with an Accuquilt. That said, I do have an Accuquilt and love it. I use mainly for shapes that are hard to cut by hand.....flowers, hearts,leaves, stars, circles, animals, etc. My quild had a 9 patch swap and we could use scraps if we wanted. Saw a Nine patch die in a quilt store and bought it. Lay out my scraps, even overlapping if needed and cut nine 2 1/2 inch squares in a flash. More if you double layer the fabric. Saves me a lot of time, uses up my scraps, and I have a project to use them in. I feel I am getting my monies worth out of the die, which I think was $60 but the store gave a 20% discount. Also know that it would take me a long time to cut my scraps into 2 1/2 inch squares using a ruler and rotary cutter. And 2 1/2 inch squares are extremely versatile.
On the other hand, my first scrappy quilt was string blocks sewn to a foundation of thin muslin. I just cut the scraps into strips of varying sizes with a ruler and rotary cutter and went with it.
Just a bit of "food for thought"!

I love my Accuquilt especially when I go to sew the pieces together. They come out much better, things are square, seams met where they are supposed to.

I already take Parkinson's medication for restless leg. I think it keeps the shaking to a minimum.

I love mine too. I do cut strips with it. 2 1/2” then sub cut sideways and you have 2 1/2” squares. 1 1/2” strips are really useful to me. I am a scrappy quilter and these are my favorite sizes. 1 1/2” strips sewn together and then cut into 11/2 “ makes a great square. Lots of different ways to use and cut and like Battle Axe, my corners meet!

The Accuquilt is at the top of my wish list. I think about it everyday and do hope that one year Santa will bring it to me if it doesn't arrive for any other special or made up occasion. I read about it just about every day and what it can do. Thanks for the input on this device and the dyes. I will be watching this thread closely.

Please explain to me how this system works. I've looked it up on Amazon and now I'm totally confused. You purchase the system (machine) in a certain size, or is it one size fits all buy additional dies and mats to go with the size machine you have. I can see that (maybe). Can you use larger dies with the machine or do you have to stick to the size that fits your machine? is it a hand crank, battery powered or electric? I've always cut everything out with rulers, templates, and rotary cutters. Had never considered an Accuquilt before today.

I have an Accuquilt but I don't have a good setup for it yet. That is important, I'm finding out.
Linda- the system you buy dictates which dies you can use. I have the Go and it uses most of them. I've only bought the common shapes and strips so far. But it really does increase your accuracy.. That's what I like about it the most.
I need to find a spot to keep it in so I have regular access to it.

I've bought most of my dies on Ebay. They are priced better in my opinion. But I always make sure they are new.
Mine is the hand crank which I have no trouble with but the electric looks nice. I just didn't want to spend the extra money on it. If you have any physical issues it's probably a better choice.

If you are thinking about mostly (only?) using it for cutting scraps into strips, squares, or rectangles, would you consider something like a Stripology ruler? It's a slotted ruler for cutting strips which you can then rotate to subcut rectangles or squares. Including ironing, I can easily cut a jelly roll in well under an hour. It's ridiculous fast and I have such a blast using it every time I can. The Stripology is a little thicker than the Shape Cut, but I have the longer/shorter one so you do have to just be aware of how you're folding your fabric. Since you're mostly planning to cut scraps, it shouldn't be an issue for you.

Just a thought and would be much cheaper than an Accuquilt+dies.

I have the GO! and I don't think it is useful for cutting little scraps., myself.
I cut up larger scraps for a tumbler quilt and that was great, but for cutting small bits into 2 1/2 inch squares, I think it would be easier to do by hand.
Since using it for the Tumbler I haven't really found much use for it and have decided to sell it as I find it easier to just rotary cut things. A lot of people really like them, though.

Watson

Don’t think using it to cut up a bunch of strips then having to subcut into squares sounds like fun. Can you use it to cut small scraps into squares? Quote

Yes, there are dies to cut multiple squares. Yes, you can use the strips and then cut across the for squares.

Reference chart for calculation of fabric, squares, etc.

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

I have the Big and also purchased the baby recently. The machines are used 3-4 times a week. No problem with set-up as they stay set-up. Easy to use for small dies or as a take along on class day. Less exposure with the rotary cutter is always good in my book.

The site offers free pattern for different sized blocks. There is something for every scrap size.

Our LQS has a national accuquilt educator and offers classes every month plus die demo.

Another thing to think about: storage and weight. Do you have space to leave it out all the time, or will you need to be moving it because I think it can be quite heavy for some people. I know that in my kitchen, I would never use my KitchenAid Mixer as much if it were put away in a cabinet or shelf, so it has a dedicated space on my counter. I don't have the room to leave out an Accuquilt cutter since I share my quilting space with the guest room.

If you have shoulder, back, or neck issues, you'd also want to consider if hand crank vs electric is the way to go for you. Weight would also be much more important then, as I believe the electric weighs much more than the hand crank. It also takes up quite a bit of room when they're opened for use.

On the other hand, a slotted ruler is easy peasy to store :D

I recently bought the Studio, and a bunch of strip cutting dies. Due to travel and other projects I haven't really used it much yet, but I will!

One of the ladies in my small group loves her cutting system. She brought it to group for us to try it.

It was ok but I don't think it's for me. I've never minded the cutting part of the process and I do a lot of fussy cutting. I certainly don't have the space for one.

I use my Accuquilt Go more then my rotary cutter. It saves me time so I can do the part I like best, sewing the quilt together. No aches from standing at the cutting table too long. I do use the hex and circle die to cut scraps for hexies and yo yo's. Perfect circles in ten seconds make me smile.

I cut up every last piece of left over material for scraps so I would not like the waste with the cutting systems.

I wonder if spending money on changing the rotary cutter blades more often might the cutting of scraps less onerous? You'd get a lot of blades for the cost of these systems.

I use my Go Baby for applique usually, but it's great for cutting scraps to hexi or applecore shapes. They always fit so well together! Looking for clamshell die now ☺

here's a link to it https://www.accuquilt.com/go-clamshell-4-finished.html

Too much time standing at the cutting table using up these new blades. My Accuquilt saves me hours of cutting time.

If you enjoy spending time cutting, and can be both accurate and fast, they are not necessary. But if it is not your favorite thing to do, or you mess up more than you would like, then they are wonderful.

If you want it primarily for cutting up scraps, you are going to be dealing with smaller odd shapes, so this kind of cutting is not like putting a whole yard down and using your stripology ruller to cut it up. It would be much more tedius type of cutting of individulal blocks or strips.

As far as which dies to get, it would depend on how big your scraps are and what you like to use. You can make 2/1/2" squares with the 21/2" strip die. I also like them for triangles and flying geese. They are accurate, have no ears to cut off, no triming down, and easy to precision sew due to the way Accuquilt cuts them.

The tumbler is also a great one, and much quicker than cutting by hand. I stacked 4 pieces on top of each other and got 4 tumblers in less than a minute. Cut my whole quilt out in about an hour or less.

The dies are expensive and that is what can add up to a pretty big nut if you have to have too many of them. So it can be an investment. A Sissex is less money and their dies are more reasonable, but they don't have the variety of dies that Accuquilt does. But if you only want a limited number of dies, maybe you should look into what they have available.

I have the Go Big and so far only used it for scraps,that is the reason I bought it. I bought a barely used one and got a good deal on it. (Sew its For Sale Yahoo Group) I cut 10 inch squares, 5 1/2 inch squares, 3 1/2 inch squares, 2 1/2 inch squares, 2 1/2 inch strips, 1 1/2 inch strips, 6 inch tumblers, 4 inch tumblers, and hexagons. I love that I am able to cut and organize my scraps and have these already when I want to make a scrap quilt. I also am able to use the 2 1/2 inch squares to make EPP hexies.

I purchased a Sizzix and absolutely Love it. I researched the Accuquilt, Sizzix, Cricut, etc. and decided to purchase the Sizzix because it was reasonably priced and the dies are more reasonably priced than the AccuQuilt dies. (An AccuQuilt 2.5" strip die costs $95 on Amazon compared to Sizzix price of about $38 for the same size.) I can use the AccuQuilt dies in my Sizzix, but you can not use the Sizzix dies in the AccuQuilt. I find cutting with the Sizzix to be fast and extremely accurate - much easier and more accurate than using a rotary cutter or scissors. My only regret is that I didn't buy the Sizzix sooner!

Linda, Yes there are 3 different size cutters. The dies relate to the cutter. You can always use the smaller dies to cut on the bigger machines. The small one is limited to the smaller dies and the big dies don't fit. Although, I can use some strip dies on the small one.

Here is the comparison.

https://www.accuquilt.com/fabric-cut...omparison.html

If you know you like to quilt a certain size block you can purchase that qube. There are additional qubes called companion sets of either corners or angles. These aren't necessary to use the system. You just have more options of blocks. The companions are not stand alone but used with the first set.

Check this link for related patterns.

https://www.accuquilt.com/patterns/g...-patterns.html

Check if you have a local dealer for them. There are usually demo days or class days. Do you have a local guild? Perhaps they would assist you also. Give a shout here if you have more questions.

I love my GO! Big electric cutter. I had the hand crank Go but gave it to a friend because of shoulder problems using the crank. But my electric GO is the bees knees. And now that I'm having some carpel tunnel problems, I can barely use a rotary cutter. Good investment in my opinion.

I have a GO cutter and don't use it much anymore. When I was making 5" I Spy squares, I used that die a lot. But I didn't like how the die would dull and not cut well anymore. And I didn't find the Accuquilt cuts all that "accurate". The fabric can distort during the process.

Give me my rotary cutter and ruler, any day. I like cutting.

My DH gave me a Go BIG for Christmas because he knew "I would use it". And I have and he absolutely loved it! We spent many winter afternoons cutting up my collection of scraps. Yes, the dies are pricey and you have to really think about what you will use. Sure we they'd had the sets when I started buying the dies.
That said I do find it faster and easier to cut my own 2 1/2" strips. But I do like the BOB dies. I do have problems with arthritis in my hands and wrists.

Ditto. It reduces time and my quilts are squarer. Since I am geometrically challenged, that is a true blessing. I use it for almost all my quilts. It is the absolute best tool for cutting binding at 2.5", too!

Watson, Cut 2.5" strips, then lay them horizontally across the strip dye and cut again. Voila, 2.5 inch squares. It is great for cutting sashing and binding, too. I cut a zillion 5.5" squares on mine, too, and they go into scrap quilts. Accuquilt gets hard use from me!

Because my cuts are straighter, squarer, I have much less waste. Plus, after you've used it a few times, you figure out the most efficient way to cut your fabric.

Accuquilt basically has 3 Go cutters--the Baby (or Me); the Go manual or the GoBIG (electric). Plus the Studio cutter. All do fold close, although the Studio is definitely bigger and able to take all the dies (although a shim is needed to heighten the Go dies so they are usable.) The Studio dies can not be used in the Go's. The Go manual and Go Big can take all the Go dies; the Baby (or Me) is not as wide of throat and so is limited on some of the wider dies like the Blocks on Board (cuts an entire block of pieces). You buy the dies and use them with a cutting mat--no mat;no cuts. Mats are meant to wear out and need replacing occasionally. The company website has many videos on how to use so you minimize waste, etc.
Dies are pricey (the machines are frequently on sale at Thanksgiving time and dies go on sale several times a year--signing up for the emails from Accuquilt will alert you)but are made to last "forever".
For the Go's there are Qubes in several sizes (6", 8", 9", 10" & 12") and their companion sets--the Qubes are a collection of dies that can be used in many different ways (Eleanor Burns has a downloadable book for 72 blocks from a Qube) There are also many dies for applique shapes. Plus you can pay to have a custom die made.

i have the Go Big and love it. Not only are my cuts more accurate, but it goes quicker, and my carpal and shoulder aren't screaming at me. I love that I can cut 4-6 layers at a time and they are accurate; that if I accordion fold my fabric, I really don't "waste" fabric; and use my 2.5" strip die on every quilt--making binding! And making bias binding is a breeze and accurate!

Would I buy it just to make scrap quilts? maybe!

I've never had a die get dull even after all day group cutting. Fabric grain is very important when die cutting, along with the angle the die goes in the cutter. Do it wrong and the fabric will distort. I have taken several Accuquilt Shop Events and have learned there is more then cranking a die through. One event I cut six layers of fabric and a couple were distorted. The rep cut six identical layers and they were perfect. Then she showed us what I did that caused the distortion.