To Buy or Not to Buy an Accuquilt Go?
 

I am driving myself nuts trying to decide what to do. I think I would like and would use an Accuquilt Go. I have read a lot of pros and cons. I would appreciate some comments on this undecided quest I am on. There is one on Amazon for $183.00. That is a price I could handle. What say ye, fellow cutters of quilt pieces?

The thing that discourages me is the fact that after you get the cutter, you have to purchase die for every shape you want to cut. Those seem really expensive to me.

I have one! I'd say it really depends a lot on the type of quilts you want to make.

It is absolutely wonderful for triangles (nips off those corners, making perfect lineups easy), odd shapes (tumbler, octagons, circles) and fusible applique (Sunbonnet Sue, etc.).

For log cabin and other strip quilts, I personally prefer the June Tailor Shape Cut mat. It is actually easier for me to use for strip cutting than the Go is. If you cannot cut straight strips using the June Tailor mat, then the Go can be a godsend.

I find that I am not using mine as much as I thought I would, primarily because I am currently more interested in piecing strip type quilts and doing freezer paper applique (turned under edges). I do like the Go, however, as it stores very conveniently. The dies are less convenient to store, but still not bad.

Be aware that the cost will not stop at $183. You will want at least a couple of dies and mats to make the cutter really useful. Sometimes the hardest part is deciding on exactly which dies you want right away.

If a curved piece is envolved, the GO is GREAT! Accurate cutting means much easier piecing.

I love my go.. ( i actually have two- long story..)
I use it ALOT.. and its a great scrap user-upper!!!
IMHO the dies are not that expensive.. it just depends on the ones you want and if you can 'wait' for it to go on sale..
I have almost all the dies.. Hubby gets them for me for my birthday, mothers day and all the other holidays.. For my last birthday ( i think it was my birthday) he got me 4 of each size cutting mats for the go.. ( little did he know i already had a set or two of each so now I have back ups to the back up to the back up- as I go thru them very quickly anyway..
For some Its a learning curve to use it to minimize your scrap waste.. So dont get discouraged..

My favorite dies are:
2x2
2.5x2.5
Bricks
Tumblers - both small and large
Rags- all of them are great !!
9 in hex
Chisel
Apple core

And ones Im glad i have 'cause id hate to cut them by hand are:
DWR
Blazing star
Sue & Sam

I have the strips but its easier and faster for me to to rotary cut ?? by WOF - but its a breeze when im cutting scraps into strips- saves time..

* Desden & Rob Peter dies are on my wish list..

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Go..

I have the Go and it's the best thing I've bought since my sewing machine. I paid full price for mine and would again. I don't think the dies are expensive for the time and fabric they save me. I have about all the dies. I stock up on mats when I find a sale. I bought the Go Baby when if first came out and got it for $89 introductory price with carrying case, and it works great and there are many dies that fit the Baby including strip dies. My DD borrowed it and I'll never get it back. LOL. Lots of tips on youtube for the Accuquilt die machines. When I first got the Go, my DH asked me why I was carrying around a portable typewriter everywhere. :D I have the Alto Quilt Cut 2 and it's very nice but I like the die variety of the Go.

Thank you so much for your comments. There is nothing like experience to tell it like it is. I have had thoughts on the extra cost of the dies. I think most can be had at sale prices and there are some web sites that have them much lower than retail pricing, however, it still will be an investment for me. I just want to learn enough to make an intelligent decision before buying. I did take a look at the Alto Quilt Cut 2 but it didn't appeal to me as much as the Accuquilt Go. I don't let prices scare me if it is something that will be used and helpful with my quilting needs. Quilting is priceless.

I have not used mine as much as I would like, but one thing it has been great for, English paper piecing the Hex's, I cut 2.5 strips then lay them across and cut 2.5 squares. Great time saver on all those squares. They may not be perfectly cut, but they work great for what I am using them for.
The 5" square is next on my buy list.
I have the drunkard path, and one or two for applique.

I bought one for Christmas, by Easter, I had not used it so I sold it and the dies I thought I could not live without. WEverytime I came up with a design I wanted to do, I didn't have the right dies. It sounds like a good idea but it is very limiting.

hobo2000, did you use your Accuquilt at all? What designs would not be limiting? Is everything geared to what die is available?

There have been many threads on this already, you may want to look at some of the old threads to get more opinions.

I have the studio and don't regret buying it at all. I use geometric dies so I bought what I would use the most and have been happy.

Sewbeadit, thanks for the heads up, I've been reading many responses of other threads on this very thing. Wow. Lots of passion going on for those who love this cutter. I'm going to give it a try. There seems to be more pros than cons.

Have just brought one, so far it is the best thing since sliced bread. I have never been able to cut straight (we won't mention sewing straight) and the Go has certainly change that. Love the triangles, strips and also the appliqué (only have the dog and cat so far). Be practical when buying the dies, get the basic one first and enlarge from there (I don't listen to this advice :-( ) I also did a lot of contemplating before purchase, but watch YouTube and that will certainly give you a good idea if it is something you will use to it's full extent.
There a loads of free quilt blocks on the site to use and to make use of the dies.
Hope this helps a wee bit.

I have bought the strips dies, that way I can cut my pieces with a rotary cutter. The best place to buy is
http://store.quilting-warehouse.com/...FUdn5Qod6GersQ

No affliation!

I have one and find that the dies cut the pieces perfectly! No wonky cuts and they fit together perfectly for piecing. I hand quilt and hand piece all my own quilts so I'm don't need to buy an expensive sewing machine. So it depends on what you need so the cost is worth it to me.

I have a Go and I really like it. Have you tried going to You Tube. They have some wonderful videos. They also show how you can use strip dies for several different cuts. They are really informative.

Can you find someone who has one that you can play with first? Or join a group of quilters who already have one and share dies? I borrow a friend's when I want to cut a lot. I buy her replacement cutting mats when I find them on sale and buy the dies I like and add them to her collection because several people use hers and several people buy dies for her Go. It's a fun way of doing it.

I only really like it for curved edge things and odd shapes, drunkards path is fantastic, circles, applique things. The strip die is nice because you can cut out a lot in a short period of time.

You really have to decide what your quilting style is...if you do the same type of blocks/quilts a lot this is great, if you are creative and never repeat yourself it may be limiting.

I agree with charity-crafter about trying one before you buy it. I have three friends who have a Go! or Baby Go! Last summer I bought the drunkards path die and borrowed a Go!. It let me use the machine without spending the money and taught me that I probably wouldn't use the machine enough to justify the expense. One of the girls is using it primarily for the applique shapes. The other uses it to cut scraps into geometric shapes. The third gal hasn't used hers much, but then she's hasn't had much time to spend sewing in the last year.
After using the machine, I doubt I'll buy one, but if I ever decide to make something with curves (DWR) or strong angles (blazing star), I'll buy the die and then borrow the machine.

I have a GO for almost two years now and really am happy with it. I have accumulated MANY of the dies and now instead of stacks of fabric pieces, I have "kits" ready to be sewn....it was fun and fast to repurpose that fabric into those kits.....and I do use it with every quilt I decide to tackle next......the cuts are so precise and I know they are correct...how many times have you cut fabric a measurement/geometric shape and then find out the measurement is wrong......never with the die cutter...a no brainer, just put down the fabric and crank that handle. As far as cost...there are sites on the web that have great prices. PM private if you want the addy of a group who has a dealer with great prices..........and that price sounds great-you should get what is called the value die with it has three basic shapes on it...great way to start...but don't forget to buy a mat to match the die size.....needed, and it does not come with the die......but again, they are very reasonable......just shifts your $$$ from rulers/rotary cutter blades to dies/mats

Hard to believe that some people can still make lovely quilts with fabric, home-made templates, some kind of marker (pencil?), scissors, needle and thread!

We sure have become dependent on our gadgets!

I know I am! Quilters these days who makes quilts with the bare basics tools it do it that way because they choose to. What I don't like are those that snub a new sewing tool not having used one. Several of my guild members will take one look at a the price tag and it's automatically becomes a waste of money and foolish to want one.

I told myself I couldn't live without one, so I bought a Go!Baby. And, I haven't used it yet! I have had it almost a year and I bought it to cut shapes and squares so I could use up scraps, so I know that eventually I will get going and do it. Right now, I just have other projects going but someday I'll clean up those scraps.....

Shopper's Rule is having a sale of 30 1/2 % off all Go dies this weekend.

Thanks BellaBoo, I'll take a peek at the dies. I love a sale! Speaking of which, I found and ordered a Go at Blue Chip Discount Club for $147.00 plus $10 for shipping. It comes with a value die and 6x12 mat. Yippee for me. Now I must find a way to control what I want to what I need on the dies. I have lots of scraps and a wonderful stash that is just daring me to do something about the situation.
Hey everyone thank you so much for sharing your ideas with me and advice. I really would liked to tried before I bought but couldn't find anyone to share with me. But I need a little adventure so here goes!

Rhonda,
I'm sure that you will get quite a bit of use out of your GO. I used a friend of mines & waited & watched for a better price, then bought mine. I originally got it to cut hexs for GFG, but have since found lots of other uses. Using it for a stash buster is one of the best ideas yet! And making kits from those is even better.

Do it! I started a similar thread a couple of months ago and I took the plunge. $183 is a great price. I paid $199 at Sewforless with free shipping. I just love it. Once you get it and register it at the Accuquilt site, you can answer a survey and do product reviews to earn points that you can use to buy new dies. Unless you do a lot of applique, you really don't need that many dies. As a fabriholic, I found that the uncut bolts of fabric are getting reduced in size to manageable bit that actually fit in a shoe box. Then the pieces are cut and ready to go into quilts. And the best part is that my hubby is happy to join in! I love it and you will too. All I can say is GO!!!

I have one and use it a lot. I wasted so much fabric with uneven cuts that I was discouraged from quilting. Now, boy, look at me Go. :-)

I think Hancock's has it on sale right now. I love my Alto's QuiltCut 2, couldn't live without it!

Just as dependent as we have become to electricity, natural gas, autos,indoor plumbing, etc., etc. Some (not me) go camping and "rough" it, and some would rather go to a hotel/motel/resort for our leisure time. It is the choices that make us so individual, and I thank God we have the freedom to choose.

I don't have this tool, but wondered if it wasted fabric? Or does it actually save fabric? There must be some precutting involved...or not. These sound like stupid questions, so be gentle. Maybe there's a youtube to watch? Any help on these questions would be great. I have a shape die cutter for paper and no longer use that, so am being cautious about buying more "stuff."

That is a good price, free shipping and no tax....at least until July 1st I think...in Texas. We will have to pay tax from then on. Thank you Governor Perry! One reason we go to the net to shop is so we don't have to pay sales tax....
I have the Big Accuquilt machine and have enjoyed it...sometimes I wonder if the smaller version would do just as well...I know it would take up less space.
D in TX

I purchased an Accuquilt cutter and I have never regretted it. I love it! You can get it on sale at Sewforless.com for $199 quite often. That is how I purchased mine. There are several places you can go to to get the dies on sale at very reasonable prices. Yes it is worth the money and more. I have can cut very accurately now and make many different quilt patterns that I other wise would not try. The rag dies are worth their weight in gold! I have Lupus, RA, AS, IBM, etc and I would never be able to do quilting if I did not have this. When ever I see a die at a very low price I grab it and add to my collection. The people at Accuquilt are fantastic and there are tons of videos on their web site, youtube and other places where you can get tips and such. They have many patterns available also for free and to purchase. i now can do my mariners compass and other quilts because I have it. I would never do a rag before and now I have made many and helped new quilters make their first rag quilt because it is easy and fun. Becuase the rag dies are a bit harder to run thru, we have them men help with that. They have fun doing it. Now some of my friends are in love with quilting and are looking forward to their next project. I highly recommend it! :thumbup:

Thank you for the information, i do not have the go, but these prices are great, i have been looking at the go versus the alto cutting system, i love doing log cabins, strip quilts, so i am not sure what i want yet.

thank you

Mary

I think y'all have helped me talk myself out of one. I too have been looking at the Go. I don't think I would use it enough to get my money's worth out of it.

Look at Quilting Warehouse too - they are having dies on super sale also.

At that price run and buy it.

As for dies go to eBay and buy bundles of dies. That is how I got 99% of my Go dies by buying bundles and bidding or offering a price of no more than 60% retail although I got most of them at 50% retail buying like that. I do the same for the mats. I find sellers with Best Offer and buy at least 10 mats of one kind at a time to get at least 40-45% off retail.

I love my GO. I do alot of applique so having the go with the dies is alot of fun. I do have to agree that the dies are expensive but once you have them they last. There are 4 of us in town here with them so we all share our dies. That is a big help. Its not something I use on a daily basis but it sure is fun to have. 1 lady just got the chicken die and I brought it home and made chickens in all different colors. If you iron on the fusible webing before cutting after its cut you just peel off the paper and your ready to applique. I hope you get it. You will love it.

Bought one kept it less than a year and SOLD it on ebay. I was totally disappointed with it and the waste. It was so difficult to crank that I actually hurt my wrist trying, and the fabrics were often off grain in the dies. Also the pads wear out rather quickly, and get threads caught in the cutlines which are difficult to remove. Personally prefer the Alto 2 system, and it was less money.

I LOVE my Accuquilt! I tell everyone I know about it! :)

I am a ninja with my rotary cutter. I decided against buying one because I did not want to buy tons of dies and I am pretty certain the system would limit me. I also use different techniques and the Accuquilt Go and systems like it remind me of template sewing. I could definitely see using it if I had problems with cutting so maybe in the future?