I have 2 Cricuts that I use for cutting fabric (not into paper crafting/scrapbooking). I bought the smaller Cricut and the large one (Expression - can cut up to 12 x 24 inches).
I absolutely love them for doing fabric applique. I bought cartridges for celebrations, holidays, alphabets and shapes - but only when on a good sale.
I fuse lite heat n bond to my fabric, attach it to the mat, and then put painters tape around the edges of fabric for extra hold. It has cut every item perfectly.
I also have the Studio Accuquilt and it is wonderful also. I just got done doing about 400 triangles in no time at all, and they were all perfect an so easy to align to sew. The waste of material was physically "strings". Before this machine my triangles were never all perfectly cut.
The Studio is a bit pricey, and so are the dies, buta great investment.
I got a great deal on both of my Cricuts from HSN so that they each came with a number of cartridges. The Studio was too pricey for the alphabet dies, but the Cricut is great (you can change the size of letters), and since I got the Gypsy I can really manipulate my designs before cutting.
I am going to a quilt expo this Thursday in Georgia so I am anxious to see the Alto Accucut as I hope they are there since I have been intigued with it also.
I just like a variety of machines and the safer for cutting the better for me.
Karen