Is AccuQuilt Worth the Investment? A Quilter’s Guide to Faster Cutting

Chances are you're reading this because you've run across an AccuQuilt fabric cutter or die. Whether you're a novice sewist who has read a blog or two or an experienced quilter who shops at one of our retailers, the AccuQuilt fabric cutting system has something for you. 

 

What is an AccuQuilt Fabric Cutter?

The AccuQuilt is a fabric die cutting system designed to make quilting easier and more enjoyable by providing a safe and efficient way to cut perfect pieces, every time.

 

How? There are three components or pieces you need – the fabric cutter, the die and the corresponding die mat. Each die has very sharp steel blades that form the shape to be cut. The blades are surrounded by foam so that you can run your hand over the die and not be hurt. To use the die, lay your fabric on top of the die, foam side up, then lay a mat on top of the fabric. GO! dies will cut up to six layers of quilting cotton at a time, while Studio dies will cut up to 10 layers! When the die is put through the cutter, the system compresses the foam, forcing the blades to cut through the fabric and into the mat. Remove the mat to reveal perfectly cut fabric shapes. It’s really that simple, no programming or complicated systems to learn.

 

The Fabric Cutter:

GO and GO Big pic-1

 

The Die:

55002-square-triangle-fabric-short

 

The Cutting Mat:

55112-go-6x12in-cutting-mat-PRODUCT

AccuQuilt has two families of fabric cutters. The GO! family includes three cutters – the original GO! along with the GO! Me and the GO! Big. The GO! and GO! Me are manual cutters, with a handle to turn.

All 3 GO! Cutters-featured-1

 

The GO! Me is the smallest and lightest cutting, weighing in at approximately 8 lbs and works with dies that are up to 6 inches wide. The smaller size still makes it compatible with over 200 of the GO! dies.

 

The GO! works with dies that are up to 10 inches wide, meaning it works with almost all GO! dies while still being easy to transport.

476A1122_GO!_cropped

 

The GO! Big is our automatic, electric fabric cutter that completely eliminates the need for any hand crank and guards against physical strain. It has a 14 inch cutting width so not only is it the largest cutter and works with 100% of our GO! dies, it can also cut two 6 inch wide dies at a time.

GO! Big-1

 

The Studio is a commercial-grade fabric cutter and is the largest in the market. It requires a dedicated space and is built for those who cut fabric often or make 40+ quilts a year. It works with all Studio dies and GO! dies (with the appropriate adapter). 

Studio Cutter-Static-blog

 

Benefits of Using a Fabric Cutter

Why would someone use an AQ cutter? What are the benefits?

  • Saves time
  • Provides more accurate pieces
  • Lowers risk of injury
  • Reduces fabric waste

 

If you are like most quilters, you are wondering exactly why you would need a cutter and how it would enhance your quilting process. The number one thing quilters all want is more time and using a fabric cutter is up to 90% faster than rotary cutting. Plus, since the cutting is left up to your die, your cuts will be accurate every time and safer than rotary cutting. If you are new to quilting, this not only shortens the learning curve, but will make your first quilting project fun and less frustrating. Most of us are quilters because we love sewing and a fabric cutter gets you to that sewing machine faster.

 

Using the GO! system is great for anyone who has issues with pain associated with traditional cutting methods as well. With accurate cuts every time, you can save fabric by eliminating the need to re-cut your pieces. GO! dies have a ¼” seam allowance for piecing built in and no dog ears to save trimming time.

 

For appliqué fans, the GO! system is a must! Perfectly pre-cut shapes make any method of appliqué a breeze. Machine embroidery is a snap with free embroidery downloads for all non-designer shapes.

 

What to Buy and Where to Start

The AccuQuilt cutting system can seem a little intimidating at first, so don’t worry if you aren’t sure what to buy. We’ll walk you through our recommendations for those new to our products, but remember, you can also visit one of our signature dealers to demo our fabric cutters firsthand while getting advice from actual AccuQuilt users.

 

First up, let’s talk fabric cutters. Before choosing from our three (four) fabric cutters, consider your space and sewing habits. Ask questions like:

  • What types of projects are you creating? Appliqué? Piecing? Crafting? Home décor?
  • How often are you sewing/quilting?
  • Where do you work?
  • Do you need your fabric cutter to be easy to move?

 

Knowing which cutter will work best for you and your needs will open up a world of shopping possibilities. We’ve created fabric cutter starter sets to help ensure you have everything you need to begin your AccuQuilt journey.

 

 

 

GO! Fabric Cutter Sets

We love the Ready. Set. GO! for those who want a manual fabric cutter and any of the GO! Big Just Add Fabric Starter Packs for those looking to buy our electric cutter. Why are these sets the best? Both include a GO! Qube Mix & Match Block and one of our GO! Strip Cutter dies, which we consider essentials for customers.

Ready. Set. GO!

 

If you want to ease into AccuQuilt, here are the products we think are most worth the investment early on.

 

GO! Qube Mix & Match Blocks

The GO! Qube Mix & Match block system is a great way to get started. Each Qube features eight different shapes that will work together to make over 72 different quilt blocks. Qubes come in five different finished block sizes – 6”, 8”, 9” 10” and 12”. The eight shapes are the same in each Qube, just in different sizes, so every GO! Qube quilt pattern can be made with any GO! Qube block size.

 

Speaking of patterns, each GO! Qube Mix & Match also includes free patterns, a cutting mat and a directional DVD to help you get started. You will also receive a wonderful book by renowned quilter Eleanor Burns titled “GO! Qube” which will serve as a road map to get you quilting with the GO! system.

55776-qube-mix-match-8in-EXPLODED-cropped

 

Strip Cutters

Our most popular die cuts 2 ½” fabric strips, and it’s one every GO! owner should have. This die will allow you to cut perfect binding for a queen size quilt in just one pass – how’s that for saving time? But wait, as they say, there’s more! Our strip dies have angled guidelines screenprinted on the foam so you can also make squares and diamonds with the same die. 

 

If you are an experienced quilter you may have built up a great collection of fabric. Think about putting all that fabric you love to good use. Using the GO! Qube block system can be a great way to “bust your stash”. Imagine cutting the scraps from each project you make into shapes that will all work together. Maybe you like to use pre-cuts in your projects, GO! has dies to match all the basic pre-cut sizes to cut up your yardage so you are ready to GO! 

 

What Next?

AccuQuilt has a wealth of resources available to help you get started including videos, virtual events you can “attend” from home and Signature Retailers located across the country. There’s never been a better time to see how to add joy to your quilting process by experiencing how the GO! helps you cut time so you can quilt more.

 

For a lot of quilters, cutting fabric is the part of the process they enjoy the least. Measuring, marking, trimming and re-cutting can eat up hours before the real fun even begins. Over time, all that repetitive cutting can also take a toll on hands, wrists and shoulders.

AccuQuilt was created to make cutting faster, easier and more consistent, so you can spend more time sewing and less time preparing fabric. Like any quality quilting tool, the AccuQuilt system is an investment, so it’s completely reasonable to wonder whether it’s worth it.

What Is AccuQuilt?

AccuQuilt is a fabric cutting system designed specifically for quilters and fabric makers. Instead of cutting pieces one at a time with a rotary cutter and ruler, AccuQuilt uses specially designed cutting dies and a fabric cutter to cut multiple layers of fabric in a single pass.

Each AccuQuilt system includes three main components:

  • A fabric cutter that applies even pressure
  • Cutting dies that define the shapes being cut
  • Cutting mats that protect both the die and the cutter

When these pieces work together, the result is fabric shapes that are uniform, accurate and ready to sew. That consistency helps quilt blocks come together more smoothly and reduces the need for trimming or re-cutting along the way.

AccuQuilt doesn’t replace creativity or take decisions out of your hands. It simply removes a lot of the repetitive work that can slow projects down or make quilting feel frustrating.

How Does AccuQuilt Work?

AccuQuilt is designed to be easy to use, even if you’ve never worked with a fabric cutting system before. Detailed instructions are provided, and free tutorials and examples are available at AccuQuilt.com.

The process is simple. Fabric is placed on top of a cutting die and aligned with the shape. A cutting mat goes over the fabric to protect the die and ensure a clean cut. That “sandwich” is then passed through the cutter using either a hand crank or electric power, depending on the cutter model.

Inside each die are steel blades shaped to match the design. As the die moves through the cutter, those blades cut cleanly through multiple layers of fabric at once. What you’re left with are fabric pieces that are cut accurately and consistently.

Because the dies are engineered for precision, pieces come out the same way every time. That repeatability is especially helpful when you’re making multiple blocks, matching pieces across a quilt or working on a larger project where consistency really matters.

Why Quilters Choose AccuQuilt

Quilters tend to gravitate toward AccuQuilt for a few practical reasons that become clear pretty quickly once they start using it.

Saves Time on Every Project

Cutting is one of the most time-consuming parts of quilting. AccuQuilt helps reduce that time by cutting multiple layers and shapes up to 10x faster than traditional rotary cutting. What might take hours with a rotary cutter and rulers can often be finished in minutes using the AccuQuilt system.

That time savings can be especially meaningful if you:

  • Make multiple quilts each year
  • Work on larger or more detailed projects
  • Quilt in shorter sessions and want to make steady progress

By speeding up cutting, AccuQuilt helps projects move along more smoothly from start to finish.

Improves Accuracy and Consistency

Accurate cutting plays a huge role in how well a quilt comes together. Even small inconsistencies can add up across multiple blocks and lead to big frustrations later.

AccuQuilt dies are designed to cut shapes that fit together the way they’re supposed to. When pieces are consistent, blocks are easier to assemble and seams line up more predictably. That usually means less adjusting, fewer mismatches and a more polished finished quilt.

For many quilters, this kind of accuracy builds confidence and takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process.

Reduces Physical Strain

Traditional fabric cutting involves a lot of repetitive motion, which can be tough on hands, wrists and shoulders over time. AccuQuilt reduces the need for repeated rotary cutting, which can be especially helpful for quilters who deal with discomfort or fatigue.

By simplifying the cutting step, AccuQuilt helps make quilting more comfortable and accessible, allowing many people to keep quilting longer and with less strain.

Makes Quilting More Enjoyable

When cutting becomes easier and more reliable, quilting often feels more enjoyable overall. Instead of dreading the prep work, you can focus on sewing, assembling blocks, and finishing projects.

AccuQuilt doesn’t change the creative part of quilting. It simply removes some of the obstacles that can slow you down or take the joy out of the process.

Is AccuQuilt Worth the Investment?

Like any quilting tool, whether AccuQuilt is worth the investment depends on how you create and what matters most to you.

Many quilters find AccuQuilt especially worthwhile if they:

  • Quilt regularly
  • Make quilts with repeated blocks or shapes
  • Want to spend less time cutting
  • Value accuracy and consistency
  • Experience discomfort with traditional cutting

AccuQuilt doesn’t have to replace all your other tools. Some quilters use it for most of their cutting, while others rely on it for specific tasks or projects.

Over time, many users find that the convenience and reliability AccuQuilt offers outweigh the initial cost, especially when it’s used across multiple projects.

Choosing an AccuQuilt Cutter

AccuQuilt offers several fabric cutters designed to fit different needs, spaces and preferences. While the cutters vary in size and power, they all serve the same purpose: delivering accurate cuts with less effort and less fabric waste in less time.

Manual Fabric Cutters

Manual cutters are compact, portable, and easy to use. They are a popular choice for quilters who:

  • Want a simple, reliable cutting solution
  • Quilt in smaller spaces
  • Prefer a hands-on approach
AccuQuilt GO!
AccuQuilt GO! Me

Manual cutters do not require electricity and can be used almost anywhere.

Electric Fabric Cutters

Electric cutters offer push-button convenience and require almost no physical effort. These models are often chosen by quilters who:

  • Work on larger projects
  • Quilt frequently
  • Prefer minimal physical strain
AccuQuilt GO! Big Electric
AccuQuilt GO! Bolt Electric

Electric cutters provide consistent performance while keeping the cutting process simple.

Understanding AccuQuilt Dies

AccuQuilt offers a wide variety of cutting dies designed to support different project types and creative styles. Rather than focusing on a single approach to creativity, the die collection includes options that allow makers to work in ways that suit their interests, and invite them to branch out into projects they might not normally attempt.

Some dies are designed for basic shapes, while others are designed for specific quilt blocks or other sewing projects. This variety allows quilters to choose dies based on what they enjoy making, whether that’s traditional quilts, appliqué designs, or decorative and accessory projects.

What all AccuQuilt dies share is consistency. Once you own a die, you can use it again and again, knowing your pieces will be cut the same way every time.

More Than Just Cutting Fabric

Education and Support

AccuQuilt is supported by patterns, tutorials, and educational resources designed to help quilters get comfortable with the system and find inspiration for new projects.

These resources were developed specifically to:

  • Make it easier to get started
  • Provide ideas for using cutters and dies
  • Help quilters build confidence over time

AccuQuilt quilters never have to go it alone. AccuQuilt’s online community and social media channels are full of friendly quilters who are eager to share ideas, projects, and tips. That sense of community can make learning new techniques feel less intimidating and more fun.

Design Resources

When inspiration strikes, AccuQuilt is there to help you bring an idea to life! AccuQuiltable software is designed to work with your GO! Die Library and your imagination to help you design blocks, position applique, and create entire quilt patterns, complete with fabric yardages, rough cut lists and savable, printable, share-able finished patterns.

AccuQuilt in the Long-Term

For many quilters, AccuQuilt becomes a long-term part of their creative process rather than a one-time purchase. Cutters and dies are designed to be durable tools that support years of use.

As interests and skills evolve, AccuQuilt continues to offer ways to support different styles and project types. New dies are released monthly, and mix-and-matchable shapes, blocks and project dies mean never running out of new projects to try.

So, Is AccuQuilt Worth It?

AccuQuilt is worth the investment for quilters who want to simplify cutting, improve accuracy, and reduce physical strain. By making one of the most time-consuming parts of quilting easier, AccuQuilt helps quilters focus on creativity and get more done while enjoying the process more.

If cutting fabric slows you down or leaves you feeling worn out before you even get to sew, AccuQuilt is designed to make that step easier and more comfortable, so you can save that energy for sewing, designing, and finishing the projects you’re excited about.