I just received and email from JoAnn's and they have the Sizzix Die Cutting Machines on sale. Have any of you used these for cutting fabric and how satisifed are you with them? The Big Shot is on sale for $59.99. It's regularly $99.99. I can't afford the AccuQuilt but thought this might be a good choice until I can afford the AccuQuilt. Your thoughts please. Thanks.

Depends on what you are mostly going to use it for. I have a big shot and I have seen the accuquilt, they are pretty much the same thing as far as I can tell though I have not seen them side by side to do a comparison, From what I know it is the dies that are specifically designed for each.

I have used the Sizzix for appliques, it works pretty good as long as the fabric has some stiffness to it, i was using wonder under with it. I imagine starch would also work.

I want it mainly to cut fabric. According to the ad the dies from others work on it as well.

Are you more interested in shapes or quilt blocks?

A little of both. Mainly for cutting squares, rectangles and triangles. I do some applique but not a lot although if I had something to cut the shapes out I would probably do more.

I will have to look but I think the dies may work in either machine. I know I use other dies in the sizzix one from other companies.

I have seen it used and I am way faster with my rotary cutter and ruler for basic shapes. I can see using it for appliqué shapes as it would be so much faster than hand cutting them. Plus the dies I feel would limit the size of blocks that can be done. ( unless you buy loads of different sizes) and the scrap left over from using it concerned me somewhat. I am pretty frugal with my fabric. And I know from using it a lot on paper that there would be a fair bit especially doing certain shapes.