Digital cutter best for fabric?
 

Which digital cutter do you feel is best to cut out applique? I tried doing a search on the board but all I see are blank posts so something is not working right for me. I am gravitating towards the Cricut Maker. My hands hurt if I cut with scissors too long so anything that helps would be appreciated. Would those that have experience with digital cutters kindly offer an opinion?

I have used some before but don't own one. Most I know started out with the Cricut machine. I have used the ScanNCut and the Silhouette. I couldn't tell any difference in the cutting. I think you will like either one.

I like my scanncut because no computer needed. It's a lot easier to just scan your pieces in

Good information I have been doing reserach on this very topic. Have not yet formed a conclusion.

Good idea to do your research on the machines as they all have different features. I have the Scan N Cut wireless. Love it! So many options with on-line designs for cutting too.

PS: If you re-fresh your browser window on the empty posts, they should show up for you.

the posts show blank at times. problem. just click on the curved arrow upper left of screen to refresh/reload the page. then text should show up.

I have both the Silhouette Cameo and the Accuquilt Go Big (electric). The Cameo needs a computer connection, but you can draw your own or download designs. The major draw back is that you must use either Terial Magic or a paperback fusible to cut only one layer at a time. works great for appliques but I find it not usable for piecework. The Accuquilt is my go to--it's what I use a lot since I mostly do piecework.

I have heard that the Janome Artistic 15" is great. I think there is a program on The Quilt Show, where one of their guests shows how she uses it to cut fabric exclusively. https://www.heidiproffetty.com/blog/...utting-machine is a link to her article on digital cutters, use and what to look for when purchasing.

Digital Cutters
 

Sandra,
I don't think anyone can answer what you need or what will work best for you. I have summoned what models I have and how they work for me, plus a little about the different of each.
Brother Scan n cut 650, It is a stand alone machine, wireless, and my embroidery machine can read the software and sew what has been cut. saves a lot of time. It does require a special cutting mat for fabric and I have found if I starch it a lot it does a lot better. You can scan your design and cut it. I have used it with cotton fabric, demin, leather and card stock. Also, brother has a memory stick that you can purchases if you want to store lots of designs. Cost about $650 and a new machine is out, but I haven't used it. Works great for me on fabric.
Cricut maker, requires a computer or laptop. It has a special rotary cutter blade that works great on fabric, I haven't used it on leather. If you want designs, you have to subscribe to design space for about $9.99 a month or you are very limit to designs. I believe it stores everything in the cloud. Again, it requires special mats and blades. Both are good machines. The cost is about $400, but I saw where hsn.com has the complete package for about $400. That would save about $100 on accessories.
On very thin fabric and if I don't want any fusible on back, I have iron freezer paper on back and it has helped on both machines. But, be sure and try it before you cut any fabric.
Accuquilt Go and Go Big. I have both machines and they are great. The Go, you have to turn a crack and your shoulder will be tired after a hour or so. Plus I had problems with it wanting to move around, so I have to put a mat under it. Cost about $300 to $350, plus dies and mat.
The Go Big, is electric an a wonderful machine. Worth the cost if you are planning on doing lots of quilts or applique. It cost about $600 plus dies and mat.
Dies are expensive, but are of good quality. They start about $30 and goes up to abt. $350 for the Qube. The Qube has several dies to make the size block you want. Again, I starch everything really good. Makes it crisp and easier to sew.
So, if someone ask me, what is best, depends on how much you want to spend on your hobby and how many times will you use it. Then do you have the space to store it??
I hope this helps you a little and good luck on your decision.

I love my Scan n Cut, its the CM550, the one before the wireless. Which is no big deal, I just save to a usb. Its fast and I don't have to invest in a bunch of dies to use it.

My kids, neither of whom quilt, though she does sew (she makes dog dollars) -- bought a Cricut maker last Christmas and they use that thing for everything. He's an artist so he's made decals for his brothers' cars, they made designs for matching T shirts for all of us at Christmas. They love it.....if that's a recommendation.

Sandra, I haven't posted on here in a long time, but I just had to log in to tell you that you about my experience with the Cricut Maker. Last week was my birthday and my husband bought me one. I love it and I think you will too! It is perfect for applique as far as I can tell. Cutting out applique was one of the things that caused me to be interested in the machine. You can upload files from your computer into Design Space, and you will also be able to have creative freedom to customize your designs with text if you want to. There are loads of different fonts and images to choose from. You can also use a phone or a tablet with the maker instead of your computer if you have a compatible device. (Kindle Fire is not compatible, sadly for me, but my computer works just fine.) You can go to YouTube and view all of the Cricut videos showing how to use the Maker. It does not come with a manual, and that is one thing that I find annoying, but the YouTube videos and the Cricut website explain everything you will need to know. This machine is awesome! It can cut many different materials up to 1/8" thick. One of the things you can use it for is to create personalized labels to put in your quilt using iron on vinyl. It cuts around intricate shapes perfectly. The maker uses 10x more pressure when cutting than the model that came before it (the Cricut Explore Air 2 I believe) and that is significant. I saw a video on YouTube where someone compared the two machines using different materials, and the things that the Explore Air didn't neatly cut, the Maker cut precisely and cleanly. This machine is perfect for cutting out applique designs and it will also be perfect for cutting shapes for piecing. It has a slot for Cricut pens, and Cricut sells a washable fabric pen that you can use to mark seam allowances, etc. The machine will mark the seam allowances and cut the fabric. The Design Space is the software that you use to create your designs in. You sign up for an account. It doesn't cost anything. If you have a Cricut Access subscription, the designs you choose to make will be made using Design Space. "Cricut Access" is a monthly subscription service gives you access to thousands of designs. With your maker, you will get a month free trial. I think it cost $7.99 per month. But again, you can use the "Design Space" without the subscription and create your own designs using images on your computer. The Cricut Maker also can work in harmony with your printer with the "Cut and Print" feature. You can print a photo from your computer and then load the paper (or fabric I imagine) onto your Cricut Mat and feed it into your Cricut machine and it will cut out the shape. There are a few details I'm leaving out, but you get the idea. On someone's blog online, I saw a quilt that they had made where they used gold metallic iron-on vinyl to create thin lines to create shapes to accent the quilt blocks and it was beautiful! I think the machine's ability to create iron-on vinyl designs would compliment applique designs in an amazing way. I just bought a Cricut Heat Press and mat yesterday. I haven't used that yet, but the reviews on it are outstanding. It gets up to 400 degrees and would be ideal for quilting and applique. The things that I want to do with my Maker are to make paper flowers, put iron-on designs on bags and clothing, create stencils, make vinyl labels for clothing, make signs, etch designs into glass, create my own greeting cards, etc. There are endless possibilities! I hope the things that I have talked about have been helpful for you.