Accucut fabric cutting machine.

[Mary K.]

There is a yahoo forum for Accucut users.

/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/accucutquilters/

[Mary K.]

My friend has a shop and bought the ACCUCUT machine and a lot of the templates for making kits. Since her shop is small she thought it would speed up the cutting... but not too many customers seem to want the kits that were made ... they prefer picking their own fabrics. She also did not realize the time it took to make the kits and cuts with the machine. If she does it herself she has to stay over ( less time with the family.) She can't afford to pay someone else to use the machine for her. She has been letting customers use it to cut there own fabric using the templates but she can not afford to buy more patterns at this time so the customer has to just use the patterns she has.

I personally am appalled at all the wasted material you get when you cut out the fabric... bonus for me, since I have been getting the leftovers real cheap to make scrap MILE A MINUTE QUILTS for charity with them.

I am going to take a look at your web site posting to see if it sparks some ideas for more use....

[Mary K.]

I don't have much wasted fabric at all, not enough for me to save to use. I cut the fabric to fit the die, not the mat. I don't understand why it was taking a large amount of time to cut the fabric, it takes a few minutes to cut hundreds of strips or squares using the quilt shop model. The quilt shop in my area is cutting end of bolts into charm squares and jelly rolls and they are a top selling item. The shop owner told me she does not have remnants to sell any more, it is all cut into charms and selling at retail prices. She told me about cutting the fabric to fit the die not the mat so no waste. Also old cutting mats can be used for the die mat, just cut to fit. The shop does not cut kits for sale but a customer who buys fabric at the shop can use the machine to cut the fabric. I have the Go!. The portable one. It is fantastic for me as I was having shoulder and hand problems after using a rotary cutter. Having perfectly cut fabric pieces of my choice in seconds is a joy.

[Lynn K.]

I'm wondering if you are talking about 2 different machines!

I have the AccuQuilt which cuts straight lines - like a picture framer mat cutter - you can cut triangles, diamonds, 22 inch wide bolts of fabric, et.

I'm thinking the AccuCut is a template cutter that was demo'd on TQS and is an advertise and it cuts SHAPES.

or am I crazy?

[Lynn K.]

Accuquilt is a new part of the Accucut. They have two versions of systems. The Original that is too heavy to transport, then a newer, ighter, portable one that can "GO" with a quilter anywhere.

I have the original which I enjoy so much! As I learn how to fold my fabric carefully to fit the die, I am really not wasting much fabric. (I honestly wasted a lot more with my wonky cuts here and there... LOL! That was one big reason why I bought it.)

I have heard of one good suggestion of letting quilters rent time on a shop's accuquilt equipment to cut their own fabrics.

I would love to take a look at this Yahoo Group but I seem to be having a problem being able to sign up with Yahoo. I get everything filled out and then I am to enter a code for verification. But the code box shows no code... just a question mark in its' place.

[Lynn K.]

My friend has a shop and bought the ACCUCUT machine and a lot of the templates for making kits. Since her shop is small she thought it would speed up the cutting... but not too many customers seem to want the kits that were made ... they prefer picking their own fabrics. She also did not realize the time it took to make the kits and cuts with the machine. If she does it herself she has to stay over ( less time with the family.) She can't afford to pay someone else to use the machine for her. She has been letting customers use it to cut there own fabric using the templates but she can not afford to buy more patterns at this time so the customer has to just use the patterns she has.

LadyRags, the LQS here that bought the ACCUCUT had started a club. The "members" pay a fee and then can use the machine. I think charging by the hour would be a great idea for your friend. She's not making kits and she still has remnants, at least until she realizes that she can make more money cutting those bolt ends instead of selling them (about 3 yards worth) for $5.

JoAnne in so. California

[Lynn K.]

oops! Don't even know the correct name of my own equipment!

Mine is QuiltCut2. Here is the URL:

http://www.quiltcut.com/products_quiltcut2.html

Whatever it is, I love using it! Worth every penny!

Lynn

[Hannelore N.]

I have a question: Do these 'machines' just cut the fabric or can you iron the fabric onto a fusible and then cut the shape?

Lorchen

[Hannelore N.]

Wow Lynn, that is a cool cutter also!

Lorchen, I think that you could. I have layered both material and batting together and cut it in one pass for a small quilted purse.

I recently bought the "feather" shaped die for appliques. I will give it a try.

Now I am thinking how I could do some Trapunto using it also.

[Hannelore N.]

I tried cutting fabric which had been fused with steam a seam 2 and it worked so easily! I posted a little photo on my profile in personal photos. My feather shaped die cuts 8 at a time and I am sure i could layer them easily. I might not try cutting 10 layers at a time, but I bet I could easily do 7 or 8 layers.

[Hannelore N.]

Karen, that is so cool, lots of feathers in no time. I like your little purse I saw in profile also. Sandi in FL

[Hannelore N.]

Thank you so much Sandi!

[Hannelore N.]

Ladyrags ... I am very interested in what you said about "make scrap MILE A MINUTE QUILTS for charity" I do a bit of charity work and am interested in the 'Mile a Minute Quilt' patterns and instructions. Please tell me more!
Carolyn

[Lynn K.]

Me too, LadyRags. Sounds intriguing.

[Lynn K.]

I would also love to know more about it, ladyRags.