Cloth Cutting Machines

We relive fond memories of the fabric store

My girls and I, coupons in hand, a song on the radio, laughter on our lips, hopped into the Jetta Knight the other day and headed straight for JoAnn's of Edina.  I was reminded of the girlhood trips with my own mom to the fabric store, eager to reproduce the experience for my brood.  It was always nice, peaceful, and a "girl" thing.  How wonderful, I thought, to be reliving this moment as a mom with my own daughters.

Not long ago, I purchased a very basic sewing machine and for the past three months have limited its use to hemming pants, sewing linings in crocheted purses and patching together tee shirts and items from Goodwill to make a few eclectic and hip pieces.  It is all part of our effort to be cool, shabby chic, and green, by recycling just about everything we can lay our hands on.  Since I am "taking the summer off" (i.e. "unemployed"), I have been able to maintain the "cool, shabby chic, and green" label by isolating my children from any other kids who know better.  My girls were excited, I was excited; we three girls were ready to rock out at JoAnn's of Edina!  I promised to stay away from the yarn…..

Since every one else had the same coupons I did, of course the place was packed. That's ok, times are a little different but the experience would still have that same special flavor.  In keeping with true form, I hustled all females to the bathroom before shopping began.  I have a very small bladder.  While we were in the bathroom, my youngest pointed to something on the floor, "What is THAT?!" she said. 

"Looks like one of those wood chips they use in landscaping," I replied, "that must be what it is."

"Mom, I think it is poo."

"What?!  No one is going to leave crap on the bathroom floor at JoAnn's of Edina," was my practical and wise reply.

"Touch it with your shoe," came the challenge.

"Okay," Have I mentioned that I am not one to back down from a challenge?

Seconds later the bathroom was filled with squeals of disgust.  This was not starting out like my childhood trips to the fabric store.

I was pleasantly surprised when my kids chose easy level patterns.  Their fabric selections were predictable – a pretty pink print for the eldest and a rock and roll neon green and black for the youngest – and they didn't fight about choosing from the sale fabric, clearly marked by the "50% off" signs hanging above the shelf on which they rested.  Have I mentioned that I NEVER buy anything that is not on sale?

Which Accuquilt fabric cutting machine is right for you?

Quilters who've been at their craft for a while may find the convenience of having this small cutter at their sewing machine may also find it worth the price. MSRP is $139.

This model is portable and travel friendly weighing in at just 8-1/2 lbs. To use it, you'll need an open space about 12in wide by about 18in. Folded for storage, it requires a space 12in wide by 4-1/2in deep by 8-1/4in high.

The Go! Baby fabric cutting machine uses any of the Go! dies that measure less than 6in wide.(At this writing, there are 48 dies available for this machine. No other commercially made dies work with this machine. (Studio dies do not work with the Go! Baby.)

It's MSRP is $139 and includes a User Manual. No extras are included. You'll need to purchase at least one die and cutting mat to use it. Dies range in price from $20 to $70.

Machine and compatible dies have a 1 year warranty.

Click here for the downloadable list of Go! Baby dies.

It's MSRP of $349 includes these extras:

The Value Die, a single die that simultaneously cuts a 4-1/2in square, a 2-1/2in square and 4 half square triangle units(2in finished) One 10in square cutting mat A die pick User manual Free pattern

Depending on the thickness of the fabric, it cuts up to 6 layers at a time. Currently, there are 74 different Go! dies available for this machine. No other commercially made dies work with this machine (Studio dies do not work with the Go!) Dies range in price from $20 to $90.

Machine and dies have a 1 year warranty.

Click here for the downloadable list of Go! dies.

It easily cuts up to 10 layers of fabric at a time (again depending on the thickness) with any of the 350 Studio dies available for it. These Studio dies will not work in either the Go! or the Go! Baby because of the thickness of the dies.

The Studio can also be adapted to use Ellison, Sizzix and GrandeMARK dies. You must purchase an adapter from AccuCut in order to use these other dies. Go! dies will NOT work with the Studio.

NOTE: The AccuCut GrandeMARK is the scrap booking version of the Accuquilt. The machines are identical except for their names.

The Studio's MSRP of $595 includes these extras:

A studio die tray 9 sheets of cutting plastic A die pick User manual

You will need to purchase a die(s) to use the Studio. As of the writing, Studio dies range in price from $25 to $200.

The Weyburn cloth cutting machines, for knit goods, men's, women's, and children's underwear and novelties ...

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