Which die cutter should I buy?
 

I will retire in a year and won’t have room for my huge stash when I downsize. I want to cut one square or rectangle from each fabric for a big charm quilt before I donate my stash. I realized that a die cutter would be the fastest and easiest way to do this, but I know nothing about them. I need your help! What die cutting system do you have? What are the pros and cons of it? What do you recommend or what advice do you have for me? I truly am starting from scratch here!!!!! Oh, not sure it matters but I’ve used die cutters for paper many times through my teaching career so I’m familiar with those. Thank you so much for your advice and help!!!

Just purchased the Accuquilt GO and I am having a great time seeing what it will do. I like this machine and the dies that I purchased have been wonderful. I think it is a great tool for a quilter to have in their tool collection.

I bought the Sizzix big shot pro because it will use Sizzix, Acccuquilt go dies or Accucut dies. I really like mine but don't use it as much as I should. I have strip dies, 10" sq, 5" sq and several applique dies.

I would reconsider getting rid of your stash. Find a closet in your place and keep it all. Just my opinion. Happy quilting.

I have to agree, if there is any way to keep your stash. So glad I have mine and shop for projects mostly in my closet since I retired!!!

I have both the Silhouette Cameo (uses my laptop, I can purchase designs or draw my own) but find that it basically can handle fabric that either has a fusible stablizer. So great for raw-edge applique but...
I also got the Accuquilt Go BIG (electric one) and if I'd purchased it first, I would not have bought the Silhouette. I like that I don't have to add fusible and can cut up to six shapes at a time. The downside is the cost of the dies. Both require cutting mats, neither of those are cheap. I love my Accuquilt Go Big--it's saves my arthritic shoulders and hands, and I get great, accurate cuts. There are several FB pages for it and you can get lots of support there. I recommend if you do purchase an Accuquilt, you buy direct from their website as they guarantee it (dies too) but if purchased from store, any problems have to go through the store first. Watch for sales on machines and dies--mats rarely are on sale. I got my Silhouette on sale too, but don't see those as often.

Regarding your stash--since I retired I'm using more and more of my stash--not only because of the $$ invest in it, but also because I realize I won't be quilting 5 decades from now so no reason to save it! With the Accuquilt you could minimize your stash by doing lots of precuts of scraps (squares, strips, etc) and save some space. Hope you enjoy that retirement!

Congrats on retiring soon.

I have the Go Big also and love it. Invest in the cubes for simple storage of the dies. For single dies, I add a label on the side with number, shape and finished size.

Get creative with storage for your stash. Don't forget under the bed storage too. Think about buying the cutter system now and use up some of the stash. Make some kits out of your favorite fabrics to use when you downsize.

I started with the Go Baby. I now use the Go manual one but have the Go Big. The Go Big gets contrary a lot so I use it for the bigger dies made for it. The manual Go is the most reliable. DH put in new bearing for me as mine is over ten years old. Turns like butter.

If you plan to get rid of your stash does that mean you aren't going to make more than just the one quilt you mentioned? If so I wouldn't get a cutter. They are expensive for just one use.
Maybe I misunderstood your question though. In that case I have the manual Go and love it. I think they are overpriced but once I got mine I really enjoy using it.

Yes, but you have to admit, this would still be a great way to inventory your fabric. Make a 2 in square and put it in a book or scan it into a file on your pc. Then put the stash into totes and mark the totes with numbers and include that number with the swatch of fabric. Why didn't I think of this a long time ago.

I agree, we used to have some stores here that would loan you their cutting machines for about 20 an hour, you can get a lot done in a hour. But if you are no longer making quilts I'd try to find one to rent or borrow or get someone to help you. You'll never re coup your cost if you sell the machine. If you lived closer, I'd let you borrow mine. I never use it any more.

Happy for you to be retiring and hopefully you will enjoy your free time but I do have a suggestion on your stash. You might want to reconsider getting rid of it. At a later date you may want to make something and not have that right fabric. If you have someplace to store it I feel you will be happy that you did hang onto it. Good luck and enjoy retirement.

I also own this machine and really like it. I do have a good amount of die cutters and use my machine frequently. You do need a designated area as this particular machine is big and heavy. Also like others mentioned and suggested, I would keep the stash. Buy the cutter to help you use the stash.

Agree, find creative way to hide your stash you'll need a hobby when retired. I have both the crank Go and just got the Big electric Go. I got tired of the crank and the ware on my wrist. Love the ease of the Electric but I waited for a sale thru Accuquilt which was 50.00 off and free shipping. But like most it gets used only when I'm overwhelmed w/excess misc leftover pieces. I should really get more organized and zip those pieces thru the machine at the end of the day...Hummm there's an idea.
Storage ideas...hang large pieces in your closet on hangers, under bed storage, stackable bins in the corner of closet or rm, Iris 14x14x4 clear storage boxes are great and when on sale at Michael's as low as 3.00 each is what I store in and then vertical stack in a bookcase. Those boxes hold a lot of yardage.