Originally Posted by MTS

This is very timely. Your motifs looks fabulous.

I've had a pretty complex quilt project in mind for over a year.
I have all the fabric (over 70, and counting) but I've been vacillating and procrastinating on the method I want to use for the flowers.

The Accu dies aren't quite the shape and size that I want even though I know that would be the easiest path to take. Actually, paper piecing stars would be the easiest but I'm now quite set on the flowers, and I have a certain look I want.

So here are a few questions from someone who has NEVER even been in a scrapbook aisle in any store, and has only a vague clue as to how the Cricut even works:

How can I tell the size of the flowers or is it adjustable?
http://www.cricut.com/shop/#0/1/1413...pe%20Cartridge

-Do you have to run it through the machine one at a time, or can you stack them?
-How long does each "run" take?
-Are the dies on this site the only ones it can use, or are there 3rd party ones as well? (I remember reading something about a ProvoCraft(?) co - but it was regarding copyright issues.
-Can you design your own images and cut those?

The reason I'm asking is I'm curious as to the time it would take to cut X of these if I were to pay someone with the machine to do it for me, assuming I bought the cartridge, and had prepared, cut, and had the fusible already fused to the fabric.

Sorry for the very, very basic questions. Thanks.
And sorry for temporarily hijacking your thread.

Originally Posted by jaciqltznok

you might find more info by going to ihaveanotion dot com..
this site does not let me post the link to her blog..she tests ALL die cutting machines and great tutes, FAQ's etc...

Originally Posted by MTS

My questions were specifically realted to the Cricut machine - not the Sizzix or the Accu's or the Vagabound. Those are the machines that Kelly has reviewed. I know about those - but the dies available are not what I want.

Originally Posted by MTS

This is very timely. Your motifs looks fabulous.

I've had a pretty complex quilt project in mind for over a year.
I have all the fabric (over 70, and counting) but I've been vacillating and procrastinating on the method I want to use for the flowers.

The Accu dies aren't quite the shape and size that I want even though I know that would be the easiest path to take. Actually, paper piecing stars would be the easiest but I'm now quite set on the flowers, and I have a certain look I want.

So here are a few questions from someone who has NEVER even been in a scrapbook aisle in any store, and has only a vague clue as to how the Cricut even works:

How can I tell the size of the flowers or is it adjustable?
http://www.cricut.com/shop/#0/1/1413...pe%20Cartridge

-Do you have to run it through the machine one at a time, or can you stack them?
-How long does each "run" take?
-Are the dies on this site the only ones it can use, or are there 3rd party ones as well? (I remember reading something about a ProvoCraft(?) co - but it was regarding copyright issues.
-Can you design your own images and cut those?

The reason I'm asking is I'm curious as to the time it would take to cut X of these if I were to pay someone with the machine to do it for me, assuming I bought the cartridge, and had prepared, cut, and had the fusible already fused to the fabric.

Sorry for the very, very basic questions. Thanks.
And sorry for temporarily hijacking your thread.

Originally Posted by mom2boyz

I too have a Cricut Expression and a Gypsy. I have not cut fabric but I have cut vinyl. The Gypsy allows you to alter an image and to place the image on the mat & fabric where you want it. There might be quite a bit of waste (of fabric) if you don't use the Gypsy. You can fill the entire 12x24 mat with images or the same image and then cut it in one fell swoop. The time depends on how intricate the design is. You can't cut more than one layer of fabric at a time. How many do you think you will need? The cost might be in blades and mats as the mats only stay sticky so long. And by the way, the cartridges have come way down in price. I don't know about this flower one as I haven't seen this one before. Cartridges that were once $89.95 can now be purchased on several websites for as low as $14.95.

Originally Posted by MTS

I was really NOT wanting to buy a machine, but is this a good deal?
http://crafts-sewing.hsn.com/cricut-...ewing-_-126124

Originally Posted by jaciqltznok

seems like a lot of money for a few flowers...perhaps you could find someone that already has the set up and offer to buy the cartridge you need and pay them for their time/use of the machine to get your flowers!

Originally Posted by MTS

I was just asking if it was a good price for the machine/combo offered, not necessarily for my project. Is it?

Originally Posted by MTS

I was just asking if it was a good price for the machine/combo offered, not necessarily for my project. Is it?

Originally Posted by MTS

Thanks so much for the information. I didn't realize there were 12x24 size mats for that machine. It looks so small.

My flowers need to be around 3" and 5" to fit on 4" and 6" backgrounds, and about 150(?) in total. I just arbitrarily picked that cartridge because it's close to what I want.

Now I've read a bit about the Gypsy. Who knew? ;-)
So I could design the template to be exactly what I want, and then print it out in a variety of sizes, right?

I was really NOT wanting to buy a machine, but is this a good deal?
http://crafts-sewing.hsn.com/cricut-...ewing-_-126124

Originally Posted by MTS

This is very timely. Your motifs looks fabulous.

I've had a pretty complex quilt project in mind for over a year.
I have all the fabric (over 70, and counting) but I've been vacillating and procrastinating on the method I want to use for the flowers.

The Accu dies aren't quite the shape and size that I want even though I know that would be the easiest path to take. Actually, paper piecing stars would be the easiest but I'm now quite set on the flowers, and I have a certain look I want.

So here are a few questions from someone who has NEVER even been in a scrapbook aisle in any store, and has only a vague clue as to how the Cricut even works:

How can I tell the size of the flowers or is it adjustable? ******************* you can change the size of the flowers in 1/4 increments. If you have the larger cutting mat, you can go up to 11 1/2 or 11 3/4 inches. The smaller machine goes up to 5 1/2 inches with the cutting mat 6 inches.
http://www.cricut.com/shop/#0/1/1413...pe%20Cartridge

-Do you have to run it through the machine one at a time, or can you stack********************you can not stack. You can cut as many as will fit on the mat at a time. If you want them all the same size, there is a button you can push and it will automatically cut as many as will fill the mat. I have done this on paper with success. I have not tried it on fabric. Fabric does take more supervision.
-How long does each "run" take? **************** Depends on how intricate the cuts are. I would guess a few minutes?
-Are the dies on this site the only ones it can use, or are there 3rd party ones as well? (I remember reading something about a ProvoCraft(?) co - but it was regarding copyright issues. **************** only the cricut carts will work in the machine. There was a computer program (Sure Cuts A lot) that worked but Cricut shut them down I think.
-Can you design your own images and cut those?*************** You might be able to ALTER designs using the gypsy, I'm not sure, but as far as I know there is no way to create your own designs.

The reason I'm asking is I'm curious as to the time it would take to cut X of these if I were to pay someone with the machine to do it for me, assuming I bought the cartridge, and had prepared, cut, and had the fusible already fused to the fabric.

Sorry for the very, very basic questions. Thanks.
And sorry for temporarily hijacking your thread.

Originally Posted by Elisabethann

My apologies - I haven't been able to figure out how to change font color to add my comments so you get the ***** instead. !!! I would be happy to try out some cuts for you to see how it would work. Free of charge :) I too have a floral design in my head and would love an excuse to try it out.

Originally Posted by Corry

Yes, I have done this recently with a quilt I made my FIL. I cut out his name with the Cricut. It worked really great! I starched my fabric first and had my heat n bond on the bottom. No problem.

Originally Posted by MTS

@Corry -
Those letters are great, and the little peek you've shown of quilt looks fantastic. Can we see the whole thing? Pretty please?

Originally Posted by Corry

I call this quilt Antique Cars. I bought the embroidery designs from Embroidery Library and they sewed out just perfectly. Just wonderful designs!!

Originally Posted by Corry

Yes, I have done this recently with a quilt I made my FIL. I cut out his name with the Cricut. It worked really great! I starched my fabric first and had my heat n bond on the bottom. No problem.

Originally Posted by kriscraft99

I have a cricut expression and my fabric cutting experience was not pleasant. I bought it just for cutting fabric - I'll watch this thread to see if anyone posts a new one that I haven't tried.

Originally Posted by Elisabethann

What is the problem when you try to cut? I know for me, I have to really starch the fabric first, then do the heat n.bond AND I have to stand there and monitor the progress. If the fabric gets caught, I try to "release" it. I also have to make sure the fabric is really stuck down to the mat. Sometimes I use the 505 spray adhesive on the mat to make sure it is sticky.

Blade is set at "6", speed is on slow and pressure is on high. Any of this info helpful? Or have you tried it all already?

Originally Posted by Elisabethann

Just a FYI - I used Wonder Under on the ones I cut and I did have some air pockets between the fabric layer and the wonder under. Not good - it causes the blade to get caught on the fabric or the paper. I would stick with Heat n Bond - heat n bond lite is what was recommended by the people on youtube. I cut some letters for my DD's quilt with heat n bond and didn't get those air pockets.

Originally Posted by kriscraft99

at some points, it doesn't cut the thread all of the way through and then it ends up pulling the fabric up and making a big knot underneath. It is a new blade. Are you cutting cotton fabrics?

I'll have to get some 505 spray - does that make the fabric funky feeling or looking once put on your project after cutting?

Originally Posted by MTS

Prior to reading anything, I was going to use Steam-a-Seam Lite, mostly because I have a ton of it. I guess I'll have to test it first before committing.

So I went to Joann's this afternoon to check out the machines. :roll: Yeah, I know. But I was really curious.

The demo video was playing when I got there. Huge coincidence that they were demonstrating flowers on the Gypsy thingamijig. It's very, very, very cool. The way you lay it out and adjust the location and the size and whether it's welded (or melded) to other motifs. I watched it twice.

And, most importantly for me, they showed how the blade actually works on the Cricut. I finally "got" it - I kept thinking it was like a die and I couldn't understand how all this flexibility was possible. Now I know. Yay!

The manager says they aren't selling the Gypsy anymore - retail $299. She thought this could mean a new model was coming out. The Expression was on sale for $199, and the little guy was under $100.

But I just checked on eBay and there seems to be a ton of the Gypsy devices listed with ending prices of around $100. So if I got that with the little Cricut, that's less than the HSN special. Not that I'm going to go that route but it's nice to know all my options.
(Sorry for the long url but no tinyurls allowed.)
http://completed.shop.ebay.com/i.htm...=p3286.c0.m282

Anyway, thanks for sharing all the great information. It's been really helpful and I really, really appreciate your attempt to educate a complete newbie.

This quilt might actually get made sooner rather than later.

Originally Posted by MTS

Ohhhhhhhhhh, pretty, pretty tools. In lime green. My favorite color.

Oy.

Now I might have to buy the whole shebang up just to get those.