Cutting Machines?
 

I haven't posted in awhile, been busy making quilts. :) I wonder if anyone out there uses either cricut or scan and cut to cut fabric for quilts? I am thinking to purchase this type product. I owned an accuquilt and hated it, also purchased a Sizzix and returned it. So this time I am asking questins FIRST!!

Just curious. What didn't you like about the die cutters?
Here are a couple of links to recent discussions on electronic cutters:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...e-t284401.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...w-t283990.html

I have cut fabric for applique and will try regular fabric for EPP with my scanncut. I like it. Still has learning curve. didn't care for cutting fabric with the cricut. what are you wanting to cut

I just got a Silhouette Cameo 3 haven't cut fabric with it yet. been playing with
other stuff to get the feel for the machine.

I love my sizzix. Also have an Alto's Quilt Cut that I like as well

think it depends on what you are cutting. I use my Silhouette Cameo for raw edged appliques where cutting just one shape at a time. You have to use a paper backed fusible on the fabric to get it to stick to the cutting mat. I prefer my Accuquilt to cut multiples of shapes--mostly geometric as I don't buy the applique dies.

what didn't you like about the machines you had?

I have a Silhouette Cameo and Cricut Explorer Air 2. While you can cut fabric on each I consider them useful for crafting and would suggest a more durable machine for quilting. There are pricier models that are true workhorses, but for the brands mentioned, their primary market is DIY home crafts.

I don't know anyone that has the scanners that uses it to cut hundreds of fabric shapes for a quilt time after time.

Accuquilt dies are expensivetiny threads imbedded in the pads., they distort the true fabic grain, and quickly get dull enough to leave small threads imbedded in the grain. Most of all they are a terrible waste of fabric. Really prefer strip cutting with rotary cutter, however I want to make a double wedding ring, and the thoughts of hand cutting are mind boggling. I possess the seewing skills, just not up to that much curved cutting and small pieces. I even purchased the acrylic templates.

I was afraid of that in looking at some You Tube vids.

Ok what else is out there besides Accuquilt?

I have the Altos quilt cut, wont work for double wedding ring. Sizzix dies were too small for this pattern

TY are you speaking of the Accuquilt?

Would love to hear your experiences.

Have you looked at the KNK Klic n Kut machines?
http://knkusa.com

I have only had it for about 4 weeks, it arrived the day after Thanksgiving.

However on the following Monday I ended up with Bells Palsy, so it took me
about 2-1/2 weeks to get my vision back enough to be able to see well enough
to play with my machine.

So far I love what I have learned, and yesterday I did my FIRST glass etching
using the etching cream that I got in my bundle.

I have the Silhouette CAMEO and love it for cutting fabric. The key to getting consistent results is fabric prep with TerialMagic. I find the Silhouette more versatile because it supports SVG files that you can get from different pattern designers - or make your own. A few others also support SVG - the Janome artistic edge does. Let me know if you have any specific questions, I've cut a ton of applique pieces on the cameo.

For die cutting of fabric.....Sizzix and there's another, I think called crossover.....

Given the reasons you disliked the die cutters even after trying a couple brands, I would hesitate before trying an electronic one.
Another way to go would be to look into custom cutting. Flynn's offers a custom laser cutting service with your fabric. You might want to get a quote.
http://www.flynnquilt.com/custom.htm

Thanks for the info about a cutting service, I may have to go that way if nothing else is a solution.

I am not familiar with the silhouette, have you cut an entire quilt with this? What is the fabric prep that you mentioned/ I am wanting to make a double wedding ring quilt, lots of curved small pieces, I was thinking if I could scan a number of the small pieces onto an 8 1/2 x 11 that I could cut multiple pieces at a time. Do you think that is feasible?

I have the scan n cut and the Accuquilt go, love them both. My favorite is the scan n cut. I'd sell the go but my daughter uses it a lot.

You really have to be carefull how to lay your fabric out because it'll stretch and you won't have squares the same size. I learned that the hardway. I taught that to my daughter from the beginning.

Just a suggestion, but why don't you try Eleanor Burns [h=1]Quilt In A Day EB-1298 Eleanor Burns Pattern, Nouveau Wedding Ring Quilt[/h]there's even a video on how to make it....I have everything to make her quilt...I will admit I did buy her template rulers for this one....

Interesting, a few months ago I bought the brother scan n cut as a joint gift for my local daughter & granddaughters, my daughter is big into scrap booking t& the girls into crafts/school projects & I thought I would use it for quilting. since I am much more into sewing shapes, not applique I quickly realized I wouldn't use it much. which was fine with my daughter & granddaughters, they are getting major use from it, but at least I know where it is if I should need it.

Then, a local quilt shop recently started carrying the Sizzix with a huge introductory discount, and Jenny Doan, my idol, has partnered with Sizzix to make dies for her projects! So exciting, I gave the information to my own Santa who took the hint (I told him otherwise he would have to spend 2 days at the mall shopping for me). I opened it today, have 2 basic Jenny Doan dies, we set it up & I think my husband played with it more, LOL. So far I'm impressed & have 2 quilts in mind already. Accuquilt dies can also be used with it.

Accuquilt and Sizzix are well-known but there are more expensive models. In respect to Silhouette, there is a learning curve involved. I would practice on muslin beforehand. The Silhouette School is the best resource for new users.

Marie - have fun with your Sizzix...what model did you get? I have one along with my GO....found it after I bought GO....it is much easier to crank! I know onebyone's dh replaced bearings on GO...I don't have a dh to do that for me and I'm not mechanically inclined.....enjoy your new toy....I love that Jenny has allowed Sizzix to produce dies for her templates....I think she even sells at the store in Hamilton...

I bought the Big Shot Pro, I think it is the biggest model, but because the introductory price was so good I thought I might as well get it in case I want to use the bigger dies. Everywhere else I looked it was $130-$150 more, it can take the Bigz dies. Pat Catan's, an Ohio & PA craft store chain is very close to me, they carry many Sizzx products and sometimes have them on clearance, so sometimes I might get lucky with accessories & dies.
My motto is "if Jenny Doan does it" it has to be good, lol, on my bucket list is a trip to Hamilton Mo, maybe in 2017.