mindless - thanks for the information. I bought a Scan & Cut and still have not gotten very far with figuring out how to use it.

Now I'll have more reason to join facebook. My husband is really against the idea, but I keep telling him that it won't have any personal info about me if I don't put it there - and I would only use it to join a few groups.

Cathy, I feel the same way about facebook. I don't use my real name there. I only use my avatar name.

ansew, I have the same emb. machine that you have. It is a Brother 8500 upgraded to an 8700. I use PES also. I'm still learning, but I can download PES designs from the internet (many are free) and write them onto my card reader using USB cable. The PES card reader is one I bought at the same time as I bought my emb. machine years ago. I have drawn some of my own applique designs, scanned them into the SnC. Then, the SnC which holds colored pens as well as a knife, will draw or cut the image for me.
I also found free software online that lets me digitize my designs & turn them into PES (or other formats). Still learning to use that too.

Also....for free designs, visit UncleGravy at QuiltFusion: https://www.quiltfusion.com/product-...uilt-patterns/
All these patterns come with cutting files that will work with most cutting machines out there.

I don't think you can go wrong with your choice. You will have to put some time into learning whichever system you get, and try not to be intimidated too much by it. Learning anything almost always requires an oops or two, but...sew what? My Momma says: Fail Forward. Just have some fun along the way.
:)

Ihave used a cricut and have a scanncut. I find the learning curve is the same with these machines each have their own proprietary software. If you join a forum it helps a lot. If you buy from a dealer like i did it helps a lot. Reason i like the scanncut is you dont need software or computer just scan and cut. They do have a program but it is not necessary to use the machine others you have to be linked to the software in some way

I have a Silhouette Cameo (not the latest model, but the software is the same). I bought it for about the same reasons you are looking into an additional cutting machine. I was choosing between it and a Scan N Cut and the price was one deciding factor. No-you do not need to join the design club to get designs--I usually buy them as needed on sale for 50cents each--you get them to save in definitely, plus they also have weekly free designs. You can join their club, but know that the tons of designs they offer include ones for 3D paper, scrapbooks, Heat Transfer, vinyl, fabric, etching glass, setting rhinestones, etc.
You can also design your own using a program much like computer drafting, and also you can (using a special mat) scan in designs from pictures, etc. You do all this on your lap top which the cutting machine plugs into.
You set cut depth, type, width, change out the cutting blade for different materials, and also can use a pen (either just a plain one or special ones) in the blade holder to draw out designs on the paper, etc.
you do have to stiffen the fabric for cutting either by fusing fabric onto stablizer (either theirs or basically just any fusible stablizer like Heat N Bond, etc) or (and I haven't tried this but have heard from others that have) something like Terrial Magic that you spray on to stiffen so it goes through the machine smoothly.
It does work fine on cutting fabric but I think the design needs to be somewhat less complicated to efficiently cut. I've also used it often with cardstock, vinyl, heat transfer, the pens or a drawn design, Their website has videos to show it in action.

I own the Cameo Silhouette and the Scan n Cut2 (wireless) they both are wonderful for cutting fabric though you do need to stabilize. The reason I wasn't interested in the Cricut was because from what I saw you needed to buy by the set of designs - i.e. if you wanted just one particular thing to cut out you had to buy the set @around $30 - I may be wrong, I didn't look that deep into. What I like about the Cameo & S&C is that once you get your design - say SUnbonnet Sue you can make it as big or as small as you want - you aren't stuck with just one size. And you could also use it to cut out quilt blocks. I started with the Cameo (and yes I do have the Go which I also love) and then got the S&C which I became aware of afterwards because I like that you can scan your piece of fabric and then put your design exactly where you want it. Many quilt shops offer classes for the S&C.
Canvas is free on the Brother site (for S&C), there is also SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot) has a cost - onetime, I believe. I believe both Cameo & S&C you can buy designs individually and it's VERY reasonable (cheap) plus free designs. Blades on C and S&S are adjustable depending on what you are cutting. I think both machines are user friendly

I "think" I'm leaning toward the Brother Scan N Cut, just because it seems like what I want to do most of, it's the most direct way, fastest, and easiest. Funny, the Brother was actually down on my list behind the Cricut, Silhouette. I've been watching some youtube videos that compare the two machines(Maker and SCS2) and what they can and cannot do. Not to say I won't look into Cricut, Explore, or others once I get going.

Now the pressing question is which Brother----the one sold on Amazon and other big box stores, or the big gun sold at Sewing/Quilt Stores/Shops. My budget is more along the lines of the big box ScanNCut2 unless someone has a screamin' deal(on either one for the holidays, i.e. Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday, etc.

Who of you have the SNC350 and who of you have the SNS650 and what made you go with that particular SNC? I would be happy with a "used" or refurbished machine(at least to start with) if I could find one locally, but no go, so far.

Thoughts??

I have the Accuquilt and the Scan n Cut. I love both of them. Scan n cut does have free software and just recently created a version that you can download and work on your desktop with. I havn't used that much. A friend of mine was telling me yesterday that she just took a class that compares the Scan n cut, the Silhouette and another one but I can't remember. She said that the Silhouette has free software to use and she thinks its pretty easy. Now she bought the business version because with it she can create designs, save them as SVG files and send them to the scan n cut. She created some for me for some new embroidery designs that I normally would use my cutwork needles with but now I can just cut all of the fabric and Peltex on the SnC and she said it'll be faster. I'm excited to try it. Even though I don't have the Silhouette I thinking about getting the business software to use for my Scan n Cut, she said its easier than the one that you get for free from Brother. I'm just getting back into doing all of this after being down for over 3 years so its a challenge learning all of this new stuff and forgotten stuff. But as far as cutters, I love the SnC, it cuts, draws, you can even scan documents into you pc for saving. Right now they just came out with a new one, I've heard it has issues but not sure. The point is, now the last one which was the SnC 2 will be cheaper and some of the older ones that people are trading in. It might be the best way to try. I have the one before the 2, I didn't trade up because even though it had more features, like wireless, it did away with some that I like. I don't have wifi so that didn't matter to me. Brother comes with lots of designs and quilt blocks plus you can make your own. Check you tube, a couple of spokes people for Brother have videos on there and I think there are some comparisons as well