User Guide: Fabric Die Cutters - AccuQuilt

AccuQuilt machines

Description

The AccuQuilt is a fabric die cutter that makes sewing and quilting projects quicker and more accurate. Cut a variety of shapes for your sewing and quilting projects in all types of fabric including cotton, flannel, wool, batik, batting, felt, and more.


What We Provide - Makerspace Equipment & Materials

Makerspace equipment is free to use, but there is a cost for project materials and items. We provide the following:


What You Must Bring - Materials & Items

To use this equipment, you must bring the following:

  • Project materials - Fabric to cut
  • Project materials - Thread for sewing. We encourage you to bring in your own materials to create your projects. The library also offers thread (black and white colors only) for 25¢/session (cash only).
  • Compatible dies - You can bring in your own GO! or Studio dies to use with our machines.


Maximum Number of Fabric Layers




Learn

Print Guides:
- AccuQuilt Studio 2
- AccuQuilt GO! Me
- Cutting Tips Guide - Finding the Grain

Websites:
- The Complete Guide to Basic Quilting Supplies
- How to Choose the Best Fabric for a Quilt
- Chart: GO! Die Fabric Reference Chart - Shows minimum amount of fabric you’ll need to cut shapes with each of your GO! dies
- Chart: GO! Cutting Equivalents Chart - Shows you what GO! dies correspond to commonly used quilting pattern shapes

Videos:
- AccuQuilt Studio 2 Fabric Cutter
- The GO! Me Fabric Cutter
- How are the AccuQuilt GO! and Studio Dies Different?
- Which Cutting Mat Do I Use for My Die?
- How to Cut Width of Fabric Strips for AccuQuilt Dies
- How to Cut & Shift Fabric Strips for AccuQuilt Dies
- AccuQuilt Tips & Tricks: Strip Cutter Die Basics!
- AccuQuilt Video Library
- CreativeBug - Art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists. Check the Quilting section for relevant videos. Bloomingdale Public Library card required.

In-Person - Book-A-Maker Appointment:
- Book-A-Maker appointments are one-on-one instructional sessions to learn how to use a specific piece of Makerspace equipment. After your appointment, you'll have the knowledge and experience necessary to independently work on our equipment during Makerspace Open Use Hours. They are not meant to use the Makerspace outside of Open Use Time hours.
- Book-A-Maker Appointments are open to Bloomingdale Public Library cardholders only. To make an appointment, fill out the online form. SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY APPOINTMENTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE. Please allow at least 2 business days for a reply.
- If you're unable to make your appointment, please email or call the staff member who contacted you. If you have multiple broken appointments without notice, staff will not accommodate future Book-A-Maker requests.


Tips

The following tips are from AccuQuilt:

  • AccuQuilt Studio and GO! dies (full list) - Over 90 assorted dies available at the library
  • GO! dies are compatible with the Studio fabric cutter with an adapter. Studio dies are NOT compatible with GO! cutters.
  • Always use an AccuQuilt Studio die tray when cutting with the Studio cutter. Vary cutting position of die on tray to extend the life of the tray.
  • Always use cutting plastic. Do not attempt to cut directly into the roller. Doing so will damage the die. To extend the life of your cutting plastic, alternate use of each side.
  • Die blades are covered with foam for your protection. Use caution when handling die boards to keep hands free from cutting blades.
  • For best results, cut with die blades running under the roller at an angle. Die blades should not be parallel to roller.
  • The blades on some die designs are positioned at an angle to the die board. Align fabric to the edge of the die blade and not in line with the edge of the die board to conserve fabric.
  • Use good quality fabric to reduce fabric stretch.
  • For best cutting results, fabric should be laid on your dies on the lengthwise grain. Lengthwise grain has minimal stretch compared to crosswise grain. When cutting on the lengthwise grain, you may still experience some shrinkage or stretch because of the characteristic of the fabric.
  • If using scraps or if the selvage has been removed, here’s a quick tip to identify the grain line. Grasp the fabric along one grain with both hands and give it a couple of sharp tugs and listen to the sound it makes. Then grasp along the other grain and tug again. The snapping sound made by the lengthwise grain will be slightly higher pitched than the crosswise grain sound.
  • Cutting on the bias grain will distort your cuts. Although perfect for making bias tape and selected bindings (like scalloped edges), it is best to avoid cutting on the bias as much as possible.
  • Always test cut your fabric first.
  • If you’re cutting many layers, be sure to test cut each number of layers to ensure the integrity of the cuts are maintained. The number of layers you can cut is determined by the thickness and type of fabric. Always start with fewer layers and build up. Often more layers will improve cutting performance.
  • On die boards with multiple images, layer fabric over just the shapes you need.
  • Dies with curved piecing seams feature notches to align fabric easily and effortlessly.
  • Some dies feature specially designed corners to aid in alignment.
  • Apply fusible web to fabrics and die cut for fast appliqué.
  • For perfect half-square triangles, layer fabric on die right sides together, and then cut. Pick up one pair from the pile and sew.


Reserve

Equipment reservations are recommended. Walk-ins during Open Use Time are welcome, but equipment availability is not guaranteed.

  • Reservation limit of 2 hours per day max.
  • Limit one reservation allowed per day.
  • Reservation requests can be made up to 7 days in advance.
  • All reservation requests are on a first-come, first-served basis.

To make a reservation, first check our Makerspace Equipment Calendar for equipment availability. If the equipment is not reserved, please call the Adult Reference Desk at 630-924-2730 to make a reservation. Please have the following ready:

  • Your full name
  • Your Bloomingdale Public Library card number
  • Equipment you want to reserve
  • Preferred date(s)/time(s)