I have accumulated some cash to spend on quilting this holiday season. And can't make up my mind as to what I want to buy. I have enough to get the EQ7 or the AccuQuilt Fabric Cutter or the Simplicity Fabric Strip Cutter. What to do? What to do?

I am not an artsy quilter, but love to make all kinds of quilts and things. Don't know that I would use the EQ7 to it's fullest, but would it help me that much with original quilts -- photos turned into quilts or landscape quilts? (I am very computer literate and am married to a guy that can help me if I get stuck; so no concerns there.)

AccuQuilt Fabric Cutter would be helpful with accurate cutting of triangles and other applique shapes, but I see the dies as a real budget killer.

The Simplicity Fabric Strip Cutter does not seem to be real sturdy or stress free. And I usually can cut my strips accurately.

So now that I have written this out, it appears that my choices are really between the EQ7 or the AccuQuilt Fabric Cutter.

Which would you chose and why? I am so torn. Thanks for any help you can give me....

Personally, I love cutting the fabric so I would go with the EQ7. I have been designing my own quilts for years so I hesitate to buy it myself, but it looks like you would get good use out of it.

I guess it comes down to what you think you'll use more. Are you on the computer a lot? Do you think you'd enjoy spending hours designing your own quilts? I imagine the satisfaction of going from designing to completion would be awesome. On the other hand, the accuquilt cutter would be helpful for extremely precise cutting. Boy, you really do have a decision to make! Good Luck and enjoy whichever you choose.

Me, I'd go with the EQ 7... I would only want the cutting machine for odd shape for applique and since I don't like to do applique......

The Simplicity Fabric Strip cutter has received terrible reviews here. Do a search using the search feature above...maybe that will help with your decision.

Those who have the accuquiltcutter are thrilled with what it can do. If you are into design then the eq7 might be the way to go.

I love the AccuQuilt Fabric Cutter - it makes making a quilt so easy and fun...and very quick. I like how it does not need to be plugged in and no computers involved...just simple and easy.

I agree I love my Accuquilt. Never thought of using the EQ...not sure I would really use that much. The Accuquilt makes your cutting go so fast so that you can spend more time sewing. :)

The only thing I can say is cross the Simplicity cutter off your list. Check the threads about this machine.

The Simplicity Fabric Strip Cutter does not seem to be real sturdy or stress free. And I usually can cut my strips accurately.

So now that I have written this out, it appears that my choices are really between the EQ7 or the AccuQuilt Fabric Cutter.

If DH can help with the design process on the computer, then maybe go with the Go? You might be able to pick up a used copy of EQ7 on ebay at a later time :wink: :D:D:D

Bought it...returned it. I HATED it!!!!!! Since then, I have properly learned to use my rotary cutter and prefer that!!!!

I have the Go and EQ7 and either one would be a great choice. The Simplicity Bias machine is a great machine and it's the only way I make binding now, but the strip cutter is hard to operate for straight quilt cuts. It's great for stripping fabric for rugs and other projects when the strips don't have to be perfect.

My personal preference would be the EQ7, but you have to make that decision for how YOU quilt. Happy New Year everyone!

I think I'd use it for fabric and books.
If I had to choose - I'd go for the Accuquilt.

For me, I'd be spending on the most fabric I could get that I loved, then make it into a quilt just for Me, me me. Bwahahaha

I have a quiltcut2 and love it.
JulieM

If you cannot afford the dies for the accuquilt - will it be worth it.
At least the eq7 - it does give you the paper templates you need to cut your quilts out. Along with the yardage and the abilility to scan in your own fabrics and test drive the outlook of your quilt.
Just some thoughts.

I would go with EQ7 if you are like me and have lots of money already invested in rulers (I think I have one of almost everything, lol)! I love EQ7. Have a friend with an AccuQuilt Go and although it's nice, I can accomplish the cutting without it and without the expense.

Love the Accuquilt True, dies are not inexpensive, ranging from $20 to $70 - but once you have them, they last pretty much forever (mats have to be replaced periodically, they range from $5 - $13).

Cutting is so much faster and accurate. Strip dies can be used to cut squares, diamonds and parallelograms (sp?). Triangle dies have dog ears trimmed off - probably my favorite feature.

I thought I wanted EQ7, but after thinking about the learning curve and how much I'd really use it, I decided against it. Well, for now...

I think the strip cutter is probably more trouble than it's worth and I don't think I would use the AccuQuilt for anything but rag quilt squares.

But I LOVE playing with EQ7! I am so happy to be able to preview what my quilt will look like with my own fabric, move squares around, change fabrics, print all kinds of charts and an image of the quilt top.

It helps me figure out when I have enough of each fabric, and when I'm short on something, I can go find something similar and preview it in place. I can re-size patches and blocks to make use of pre-cuts like honey buns or charms that I already have on hand. The program contains thousands of different quilt blocks or I can draw my own. I can see how blocks look with different sashing and cornerstones or with alternating blocks. It will give me templates or foundations for paper piecing or rotary cutting charts. If I print the yardage requirements, I can take it to the store with me as a shopping list and each fabric has a little thumbnail image to remind me of what the fabric looks like.

Any time I see a pattern that I like, the first thing I do is start imagining what fabrics I would use, and figuring out how to turn it into something easier to piece. I LOVE EQ7 for this! I don't use a tenth of the programs capabilities - I signed up for a class in advanced EQ and I hope that will help me get more fluent with this program. It's not real easy to learn, but gosh, is it ever cool to even be able to operate the basics! :)

I would go for the EQ7. I don't mind cutting fabrics and can't see spending that kind of money for the different dies.

You can use any sort of drawing program to make designs for quilts - Corel draw is one example. I have EQ5 and I like it, but like my cutting system better as it assists with my art quilts and is not as limiting as a set program.

I love my EQ and use it regularly to audition colours and layouts as well as printing my blocks for paper piecing, templates, or rotary cutting charts. I wouldn't use the Go for the quilts I'm working on, but it really depends what type of quilting you do. Obviously both are very popular!

Personally I like the hands-on approach to design; playing with the fabric and moving it around and doing a schematic. I have a disk of quilt design that I have never used, came free with a book. I might go with the fabric cutter. I kinda thought of getting one, but would want a motorized one because of my non-bendable wrist and weak hands due to arthritis. I think I would take the money and buy some really special fabric.

Get the EQ7. You can scan your stash into it and play with all the quilt blocks either already in the program or create your own. It does have a learning curve, but the lessons and videos are awesome. Plan on playing for hours. Once you get into it - its hard to stop!! LOL This is something that you'll be using for years.

I'd wait on both, if you have money to spend but don't have something screaming your name as a "I just have to have it or else" it must mean there is something you'd want even more right around the corner.

I have the accuquilt . I love it you wind up buying more dies.Its very easy to use budget buster) but I cut all my strips on it. I want to get the E q 7 but need to wait on the money Diane C.

I have the accuquilt . I love it you wind up buying more dies.Its very easy to use budget buster) but I cut all my strips on it. I want to get the E q 7 but need to wait on the money Diane C.

My vote would be for the EQ7. I upgraded from EQ6 to the EQ7 version, so have had this software for a while. I love being able to play with the different block patterns or draw my own. Then with the ability to print individual piece cutting directions, or templates or even paper piecing patterns, I find that this program is invaluable. There are also all sorts of 'companion' programs that you can get to go with the EQ software.

I also thought about the Go, but for the present time, I will just keep on cutting with ruler, rotary & mat.

I have the Accuquilt Go and the dies can get expensive but I've bought some I only used once and then sold them at 1/2 price to another quilting friend to make back some of my investment. If I do that with those I've ordered and may only use once. I may save enough to buy others I might like.

I've designed quilts using EQ6 and it's a lot of fun to see the quilt completed (pic attached I hope). It's a great tool if you like using a computer and if you're an experienced quilter. It will give you cutting dimensions, not the information you'd get in a pattern such as cutting strips and sewing them together first or other tips. I've helped a friend with her EQ7 and it's very user friendly and there are so many design elements on it that we had a blast and were able to design a Civil War quilt pattern that she had in mind.

I find myself in the same situation. I would like to upgrade my most basic Janome to something with decorative stitching...but the fabric cutter would be great because my hands shake and I have arthritis. I got a small inheritance from one of my aunts who died last year, but there are a lot of other needs(that we see for the future) so of course I will, as always, put my wants last. I think I need to wait for some good machine sales.

Is the Accuquilt expensive?

AccuQuilt Fabric Cutter is about double the price of the AccuGo (small portable version) which runs around $80 I think.

I received a Go Baby for Christmas with 2 dies. One is the apple core and the other one is a triangle. I know I will use the triangle but I also know I will only make one apple core quilt. LOL. I am wondering if I can order a die for cutting strips and would that be useul?

I think I'd prefer the EQ7. I, believe, the Accuquilt has to have different templates purchased and you do have to hand turn the templates through the machine.

I'd go for one of the cutters. I have EQ7, and I still am looking up patterns on the internet. I think I jumped the gun on the EQ7.

I would go with the EQ7.
There is something I would not like about the accuquilt.
You still have to cut out the piece of fabric to fit into the cutter. It's very much like the sizzix for paper. You wind up with all these scraps and small pieces because you have to lay a larger piece on the die and - to me it is too much trouble. they sell paper packs just to use with die cutters because you cannot put a large piece of paper or fabric into the die cutter - it has to be small enough to fit through the press. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

Another idea - I would purchase a serger if you don't have one. I just got one and it is fabulous.