Sunday, March 15, 2009

The die cutter saga

I had all but entered my credit card  in the ordering process for the accu cut studio.  My friend came in just at that time and said Wait!  She asked what I was going to use it for...selling fabric shapes?  I said no...just for me.  So she took me over to her house.  She said she had a better idea.  So I listened and watched and was convinced.  Now I'm ordering the accu cut Go cutter, but  I also bought this.  The Sizzix Big Kick.  And a bunch of dies.  The dies have thick steel blades designed to cut thick things, like fabric, foam, craft metal, chipboard, etc.  It has a 3 year warranty and is on sale right now at JoAnn fabrics for $49.99. It was $59.99 last week when I ordered mine) The dies are also on sale. It is 12" wide(including the roller handle) and 15" long.  The rollers are also steel.  It comes with a set of cutting pads, and I bought an extra set (for $5)I bought a total of 15 dies. (For cutting fabric, wool, foam,etc) you need the "original" or "Bigz" dies.  There are hundreds of them.

And then I started cutting.  I fused wonder under to the back of fabrics and left the paper on (though you don't need too) and cut 3 layers of fabric backed with the fusible and paper at a time.  Perfect clean cuts every time.  Then i took the paper off and cut 5 layers of fabric.  Just look at all my pretty shapes! 











And then there are the cut outs.  how great will these be for postcards!



Next I cut wool felt....no problem with 2 layers at a time.  Notice Harry checking the cuts..lol!

Here is a die after cutting a bunch of wool....kind of fuzzy.

One swipe of the lint roller and voila!  Clean again.

I'm gonna love this! I spent a total of $249 for the cutter, 15 dies, the extra cutting pads and shipping!  Now to order the "GO" for cutting blocks.

Email me!

18 comments:

  1. That is so cool!!!! Sounds like something I might just have to have :-)

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  2. I wonder if this is something you can use a coupon on inside the store? I am going to have to investigate this!

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  3. Oh my gosh! Looks like you're going to have a ton of fun playing with those cutouts. I think I'm going to add one of these to my "Wish List".

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  4. Ohhh Deb, that looks like fun! You may just get me in trouble. I'm going to have to check this out.

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  5. And, if you want to use the pieces as machine applique... iron the fusible web on first and then cut the shapes. I used to do that with the big cutter we had at the elementary school I used to work at. Fun!

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  6. I've never seen this before. Wow. I might have to consider getting one of these. Cool... I'm researching now.

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  7. I'm not sure how I discovered your blog Deb, but I'm glad I did. I've enjoyed reading through your past posts.
    Do you think the BigKick cutter would cut UltraSuede?

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  8. I just bought a bigshot yesterday and a bunch of sies today at 50% off. Im so excited to start using it and I love that it cuts felt and fabric.

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  9. I read your review and dashed right out to get the Big Kick since I had only the original cutter. I to just want it for shapes. However, I am not getting good cuts at all on fabric. I can if I always place a card stock on top of it, but not if I place steam a seam 2 under it. I was able to cut 2 layers of card stock but can't cut one layer of fabric, which is what I bought it for. I am trying to cut out a heart from an original die and I am using only the cutting pad, per the directions. Does how tight the handle got screwed in place matter? Do you have any suggestions? I would appreciate any help you can give me.

    Thanks,

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  10. I have no trouble getting great cuts with multiple layers of fabric (up to 3) with fusible or without. Only the original and bigz dies are suited for cutting fabric. And you need to use 2 cutting pads...one under the die and one over the fabric layers.

    I don't use steam a seam, I use wonder under, heat and bond lite or misty fuse, and have no problems with any of those. I also cut up to 3 layer of wool felt cleanly.

    If you are only using one cutting pad that is probably the issue.

    And just for the record, I don't usually respond to questions when there is no e-mail given. So if you want a response in the future, please include your e-mail.

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  11. Did you get the Accucut Go Cutter? i was hoping that after awhile the price would go lower.

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  12. Yes karen i did get the "GO" cutter

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  13. Thanks for your info. I just ordered Big Shot and have been unable to find a good basic alphabet set to use with it. I would like to find one that is easily machine appliqued. Do you have any suggestions?

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  14. Hi Deb,
    Great to read your post. I, like Laura O, want to cut out the alphabet on fabric with fusbile - I make personalised towels and it looks like the Sizzix Big Kick would do this for me. Did you happen to know of a good alphabet i could use with it? Thanks, Ruth

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  15. hi deb. i'm lowell from the philippines. i own a craft store here and would like to introduce personalized shirts. i was looking for a good die cut machine that can cut felt cleanly. what brand do u recommend? i also need an alphabet die cut. do u know where i can look for those online? thanks so much! hope u can help me with my queries. my email address is lexlowell@yahoo.com

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  16. Hi I was wondering if the dies are interchangeable, I just got the big shot, but saw some die for the Go cutter that I like...it will be a while before I get another cutter (^: unless the price comes down on the Go...

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  17. Thanks Deb!
    I found you via google "use a die cutting machine to cut wool".

    Thank you for sharing. Ive been thinking hard about getting this done for awhile - glad to have seen it in action :) Happy Holidays!

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