I have two cricut machines, one is the 6 inch and one is the 12 inch. I think it is mainly for scrapbooking too. I have trouble cutting cardstock at times with the Cricut.
I also own the Alto Quilt Cut system, never used it, still in the box, debating about putting it on ebay if my daughter doesn't want it.
On the cricut machine you can press a button to repeat cut, this will cut the same pattern twice (right over the last cut) I have never tried material, but as with any tool, there are trials with different features, the blade, the pressure, the speed of the cutting, etc. So practice with someone elses machine before you invest in it. Cartridges are very pricey, do you really need to cut out shapes and letters that the cartridges offer, or basically straight lines, which would be the Alto Quilt cut system.