Thursday, September 9, 2010

Accuquilt GO cutter Demo....

Hi Y'all!! As you may have heard, I received an Accuquilt Go cutter...how much fun is that!! I have been looking at these cutters for a while, with my main interest being the rounded patterns...you know, the ones that are impossible to cut with a rotary cutter, and time consuming to cut by hand. So, I ordered the double wedding ring, the apple core, and the winding ways dies. The curvier the better!!
Many of you know about this quilt...an antique I finished; the top being made by a masterful quilter. Gorgeous to me...and I have always wanted to reproduce it, so this one could be preserved and not grabbed up and used as a couch cuddler quilt...you know what I mean! The model is just extra, gratis...she charges only doggie treats to be our model today. She believes her profile is her best view...
Hmmmm, I knew I had a stash of polka dots...I don't know why, but I just love the whimsy of polka dots!! Just the thing for Apple Core blocks.
So, first thing you do is put the apple core die down on the cutter, foam side up.
Then I placed my fabrics in a pile (I even pressed them...aren't you so impressed?), on top of the die.
Then the cutting board on top, making a fabric sandwich.
Then you place the sandwich close to the roller, and crank away. The crank was easy...I was careful not to go too fast, so as not to disturb the sandwich. (peanut butter and jelly?) Oh, no, I remember...fabric!
Can you see the faint outline of the cut apple core blocks?? Here is the purple one...
Cool, huh?? I am going to love putting this together!! I will wait until I have enough for a quilt cut out...I bet I can do it all this afternoon. Not too much waste, probably not more than I would waste if I were cutting out by hand...and so much, much faster and more accurate by far.
Do you see the notches? Remember when we were garment sewing, we used to use patterns with notches, at least I did....this sure helps with sewing placement on these curves!




So, that is my demo....

Good points:

1. Accuracy
2. Notches on the blocks, engineered in
3. Faster, faster, faster!!
4. Kind of fun, too!!
5. Exceptional customer service.

Other points:

1. You have to prep your fabrics as for any project....no magical things happen here...
2. A little more fabric waste...but I cut the rest into blocks for my strip drawers, so it was OK. I could have gone skimpier, but wanted plenty for the demo. Hey, we have lots too much fabric anyway....



Now, soon....I will be able to give one of these away!! Please stay tuned!!! It will come from the company right to you, not from me, so as soon as I know, you will know too.
Dear Jane:

Hope you have been well...your quilt has been languishing on the TV curio, so I can see it every day. Kind of lonely really, as I bet you were lonely in the Civil war, making your fabulous quilt, waiting for your sweetheart to return. This block was fun, fun to make, Jane! It is not really as crooked as it appears on the photo. Now, Jane, really....that many pieces in a 4.5 inch finished block? What were you thinking, dear??? Thank you for this one, though!!!



Everyone have a wonderful day!!


Julie

40 comments:

Nancy said...

this is why I want to win a GO-Cutter...like you I want to start making curved pieces...

Sharon said...

How fun is that Apple quilt going to be! I have the templates for a Winding Way, made 3 blocks and put it away. Found it the other day, when I was contemplating buying the templates for Winding Way. Maybe I'll send you the fabric and you can cut it for me **vbg** Like I need another project right now.

Anonymous said...

You GO! Girl!! How fun to have another GO! Girl among us!!

Betsy said...

Julie, it looks great. I hve always wanted to make an apple core quilt

Loris said...

Awesome demo and tool! That really does speed up the process, doesn't it? Pretty exciting that you get to make your own apple core quilt now!

Amelia said...

What fun...how many can you cut at one time.

The notches will make them easier to line up...(yes, like we learned when we were sewing garments).

Cindy said...

Apples - not just to eat anymore..LOL
Julie, looks like the Apple Core Die will go accurately and FAST ! Cutting curves will never be easier.

Quilter Kathy said...

That looks like fun...and you made it sound very easy.
I would try some circular patterns to "go" with my SAHR (stay at home robin)

Cheryl said...

Anxious to see how well those curves piece. I love the look, but have never been successful with piecing them. Yes, Jane can expect at lot!

Kim D. said...

Great tutorial Julie, thanks for sharing. Once you get those apple cores all cut the sewing should go so quickly. Happy stitching!!

Vicki W said...

My apple core and tumbler dies arrived today. I can't wait to try them out!

A Garden of Threads said...

Great demo, that looks like fun, the notches are great. Making sewing a breeze.

Pat said...

I can see you are already having lots of fun with your GO cutter!!! I love mine, too!!!

Millie said...

Great demo. It cut those curved shapes so fast and it is so accurate...I want one too!

Debi said...

How wonderful to be able to cut those shapes so easily. I like the tumblers as well. I can't wait to see your apple core quilt!

Karen said...

I think you are going to enjoy your new toy. I think the curve dies are a great pick.

Sue-Anne said...

It looks fantastic! Thanks for the demo, now I understand how it works. I think I am going to need one of them Go-cutters!

Elyte said...

Looks like you are going to be very busy.

Bren said...

So cool!!! I want one!
I LOVE apple core quilts...one of my favorite patterns. I would have to hand piece that.

Becky said...

I didn't realize that the curved pieces like the apple core have registration marks or notches. Pretty cool! Your apple core quilt looks wonderful with Rosie:) Enjoy your GO!

Jo said...

Kuddos to you on gettin' a Go!. I have had mine for about two weeks now and like you am excited about curved seam projects. I've made a few Winding Ways blocks and LOVE them. My daughter tried Robbing Peter to Pay Paul and even though she doesn't have a pile of patience or experience, she did GREAT! Trust me, it's Go!ing to be FUN

WoolenSails said...

I love the idea of being able to make shapes like that without having to cut by hand. I am still cutting away from my hexagons and wondering if I will finish it for fall, lol. Next one will be a machine pieced quilt so I can finish it in time for christmas.

Debbie

Susan said...

That sure does look like the thing to have.......

Great apple core pieces all ready to stitch.

Thanks for the demo.

AnnieO said...

I agree, the curved piece dies would be great. I love the apple core and winding ways quilts. Your antique is gorgeous. So nice of your little doggie to help in the photography studio today :)

Stephanie D said...

I'd thought about those diamond shapes, but you're right--curved would be a better use of my money--were I to buy one! Thanks for the demo!

Shari said...

What a great machine! And I love the colours you chose - looking forward to seeing how it sews up? By hand or machine?

*karendianne. said...

How completely cool!!!

Darlene said...

Having a GO! Cutter to cut curvier pieces is an excellent idea! Love your demo, Julie. I used the notches on my patterns when I did garment sewing, too. :-)

Martha said...

OH WOW!! I want a GO Cutter so bad or is it badly?

Dawn said...

Oh how nice! I would love to have one of these. My arthritis is getting worse in my hands and at times it is just now possible to use scissors.

Nines said...

Very nice demo. Love the cores. Glad you are back to playing a little with Jane.

Anne Heidi said...

Looks like you've been having FUN! Your Apple core quilt will look amazing, the fabrics are so pretty!

Libby said...

That's a pretty snappy gizmo you've got there. Looks like fun *S*

Shelia said...

This looks like great fun. So much faster than rotary cutting those curves. Can't wait to see the finished top.

Floss said...

Looks like a lot more fun then normal cutting.

Barb said...

Just loved your demo... I am guessing that those apple core blocks are big like the drunkard's path?

Stina Blomgren said...

Pretty cool..;o)))

SheilaC said...

Great review!! thank you!

Can't wait to see your polka dot apple core quilt

SheilaC

Diane said...

I would love to win an Accuquilt Go! cutter. Cutting out is my least favorite part of quilting--the accuquilt cutter should solve that!

Mary said...

How are you liking the Go Cutter? I've been thinking of getting one!

Puffins and purples!!

I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...