Schill93

If you enjoy spending time cutting, and can be both accurate and fast, they are not necessary. But if it is not your favorite thing to do, or you mess up more than you would like, then they are wonderful.

If you want it primarily for cutting up scraps, you are going to be dealing with smaller odd shapes, so this kind of cutting is not like putting a whole yard down and using your stripology ruller to cut it up. It would be much more tedius type of cutting of individulal blocks or strips.

As far as which dies to get, it would depend on how big your scraps are and what you like to use. You can make 2/1/2" squares with the 21/2" strip die. I also like them for triangles and flying geese. They are accurate, have no ears to cut off, no triming down, and easy to precision sew due to the way Accuquilt cuts them.

The tumbler is also a great one, and much quicker than cutting by hand. I stacked 4 pieces on top of each other and got 4 tumblers in less than a minute. Cut my whole quilt out in about an hour or less.

The dies are expensive and that is what can add up to a pretty big nut if you have to have too many of them. So it can be an investment. A Sissex is less money and their dies are more reasonable, but they don't have the variety of dies that Accuquilt does. But if you only want a limited number of dies, maybe you should look into what they have available.

pewa88

I have the Go Big and so far only used it for scraps,that is the reason I bought it. I bought a barely used one and got a good deal on it. (Sew its For Sale Yahoo Group) I cut 10 inch squares, 5 1/2 inch squares, 3 1/2 inch squares, 2 1/2 inch squares, 2 1/2 inch strips, 1 1/2 inch strips, 6 inch tumblers, 4 inch tumblers, and hexagons. I love that I am able to cut and organize my scraps and have these already when I want to make a scrap quilt. I also am able to use the 2 1/2 inch squares to make EPP hexies.

BonnieJP

I purchased a Sizzix and absolutely Love it. I researched the Accuquilt, Sizzix, Cricut, etc. and decided to purchase the Sizzix because it was reasonably priced and the dies are more reasonably priced than the AccuQuilt dies. (An AccuQuilt 2.5" strip die costs $95 on Amazon compared to Sizzix price of about $38 for the same size.) I can use the AccuQuilt dies in my Sizzix, but you can not use the Sizzix dies in the AccuQuilt. I find cutting with the Sizzix to be fast and extremely accurate - much easier and more accurate than using a rotary cutter or scissors. My only regret is that I didn't buy the Sizzix sooner!

Rhonda K

Linda, Yes there are 3 different size cutters. The dies relate to the cutter. You can always use the smaller dies to cut on the bigger machines. The small one is limited to the smaller dies and the big dies don't fit. Although, I can use some strip dies on the small one.

Here is the comparison.

https://www.accuquilt.com/fabric-cut...omparison.html

If you know you like to quilt a certain size block you can purchase that qube. There are additional qubes called companion sets of either corners or angles. These aren't necessary to use the system. You just have more options of blocks. The companions are not stand alone but used with the first set.

Check this link for related patterns.

https://www.accuquilt.com/patterns/g...-patterns.html

Check if you have a local dealer for them. There are usually demo days or class days. Do you have a local guild? Perhaps they would assist you also. Give a shout here if you have more questions.

misseva

I love my GO! Big electric cutter. I had the hand crank Go but gave it to a friend because of shoulder problems using the crank. But my electric GO is the bees knees. And now that I'm having some carpel tunnel problems, I can barely use a rotary cutter. Good investment in my opinion.

sewbizgirl

I have a GO cutter and don't use it much anymore. When I was making 5" I Spy squares, I used that die a lot. But I didn't like how the die would dull and not cut well anymore. And I didn't find the Accuquilt cuts all that "accurate". The fabric can distort during the process.

Give me my rotary cutter and ruler, any day. I like cutting.

SuzzyQ

My DH gave me a Go BIG for Christmas because he knew "I would use it". And I have and he absolutely loved it! We spent many winter afternoons cutting up my collection of scraps. Yes, the dies are pricey and you have to really think about what you will use. Sure we they'd had the sets when I started buying the dies.
That said I do find it faster and easier to cut my own 2 1/2" strips. But I do like the BOB dies. I do have problems with arthritis in my hands and wrists.

cathyvv

Ditto. It reduces time and my quilts are squarer. Since I am geometrically challenged, that is a true blessing. I use it for almost all my quilts. It is the absolute best tool for cutting binding at 2.5", too!

cathyvv

Watson, Cut 2.5" strips, then lay them horizontally across the strip dye and cut again. Voila, 2.5 inch squares. It is great for cutting sashing and binding, too. I cut a zillion 5.5" squares on mine, too, and they go into scrap quilts. Accuquilt gets hard use from me!

cathyvv

Because my cuts are straighter, squarer, I have much less waste. Plus, after you've used it a few times, you figure out the most efficient way to cut your fabric.