For some of us it's a blessing. For me I have MS and if I had to cut all that fabric by hand I'd get discouraged really quickly. I use my electric die-cutting machines such as the Cricut Expression by Provo Craft to cut my fabric with as well as using my Sizzix Big Shot Wesminster Edition die-cutter to cut fabric stashed 6-8 high so I don't have to do so many cuts. It really saves on time. I use many of the AccuQuilt dies in this machine as well as any other brand out there and the Cricut allows me to cut any design I want to if I applique.