Die Cutter Extraoridnaire

I just broke open the box on a new die cutter, and I just had to stop and tell you about it.  

Now - I must confess.  I am a die hard (ok, pun....ha ha) die cutting fan.  I love the immediacy of the whole process.  Laying out the fabric, running it through the machine with the die, and presto change-o - a perfect shape every time!

You haven't tried die cutting?  What???  Ok, you've GOT to give it a try.  It might change your life.  Really!

If you're not familiar with die cutting, well, let me tell you.  

It. Is. Amazing.  

Ok - did I mention I really love die cutting.

The die is the template that cuts the shape from your chosen medium - fabric, paper, plastic, vinyl.  The die cutting machine is, in very simplistic terms, a roller machine that puts pressure on the die (sometimes a thin metal tooled to the shape desired and surrounded by protective foam, sometimes a thin, flat metal shape alone) and cutting plate.

There are a number of companies that provide die cutting machines, including Sizzix and Accuquilt.  Yep, I have both of them, and cannot complain even a little bit about either one.

But.....

Here is the game changer, in my humble opinion. The Crafter's Edge Crossover II. One, it is my fav color ever. Ok - I get that isn't rocking your world.  Hold on.

See all those dies stacked in front of the machine?  Accuquilt die.  Sizzix die. Crafter's Edge metal die.  Yep - that one machine will cut using all of those dies.  What?  Yes!

Tammy, you say.  How is that possible?  Well....they have added a pressure dial to the top of the roller, which allows the machine to accommodate not only a variety of dies, but also a variety of materials.  Genius, I say!

Why is this important?  Well, it allows you, the crafter/sewer/quilter, a great deal of flexibility.  Ummm...did I say I love die cutting?  Well, ok - but I do. And I use it for quilting projects, sure. 

But I also love to make handmade cards and do mixed media projects.  So not only do I have a number of Sizzix dies and Accuquilt dies, both of which are the thicker foam covered dies AND are different thicknesses, but I also have a number of the thinner metal dies commonly seem in the paper craft areas of craft stores.  

So now I have one machine that will do them all, and allow for me to quickly adjust the pressure to suit the project.  

Want to cut vellum snowflakes for a Christmas card?  Go ahead.

Want to cut multiple layers of thick wool (like for the project below) at one time?  Sure!

Want to cut lovely, high thread count batik for an appliqué project?  Absolutely!

I got so excited about the cutter that I immediately pulled out several of my dies and created these fun little retro tv pincushions (done in National Nonwoven's wools, stitched with Aurifil 12 wt thread).  

I've had the idea rolling around in my head for months now, and this machine made it easy for me to combine a number of dies into one easy project - all in an afternoon!  More to come later on the little tvs!

My recommendation?  

    One:  Try die cutting.  I think you'll love the speed, accuracy and ease.

    Two:  Consider the Crafter's Edge Die Cutter.  One machine - practically all dies.  

    Three:  Take some time to stitch up something that makes you smile!

Some things to consider when thinking about die cutting:

The die cutting market has grown considerably, and there are lines of dies specifically designed for quilters. So if you're looking for an easy way to increase accuracy, dies might be your answer.  If you're looking for a quick way to cut tons of a single shape, dies might be your answer.

If you like specific shapes - leaves, hearts, dolls, monsters - there is probably a die out there for you.  I do a lot of fusible applique, and I find that dies make it easy and quick for me to create a fusible applique project.  

Most dies will work with fabric, paper and plastic, which means you can make more that just quilts with them.  Think mixed media, hand made cards, scrapbooking, or home decor.  

I guess my enthusiasm for die cutting is obvious.  And while some don't share my obsession, others are discovering the virtues of die cutting.  Just something to consider!

Thanks for sharing the quilting passion with me. Happy stitching!

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