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Die-Cutting: Helping Arthritic Hands Quilt More

 

If arthritis is causing your cutting to suffer, I strongly recommend trying a die-cut machine. It has changed my life! Days when my hands are swollen or hurting is not the time to pick up the rotary cutter. I simply do not have the control to cut accurately. Not to mention, I am afraid of cutting myself. Die-cutting machines help you quickly, easily and perfectly cut out an entire quilt top, even when your hands hurt or you aren’t having a “good grip” day.

I own the Sizzix Big Shot Pro and the Fabi (shown in the photo). The entry-level Fabi costs about $100 and dies range from $19 to $59.99.  The Big Shot is the same size as the Fabi but includes adapters for paper cutting too.*

Sizzix also has a Big Shot Pro, which I also own. It accommodates up to 12 inch wide dies such as the Double Wedding Ring as well as Victoria Findlay Wolfe's Tulip and Melon Dies, seen here. 


 This was a small quilt I made for VFW's blog hop and I loved it! It went together so fast and easy!

Here is my favorite bonus that you only get with Sizzix: you can use Accuquilt dies(with an adapter) in the Sizzix, but not the other way around. I easily use both Accuquilt Dies and Sizzix dies in my machine. I can also use the new Spellbinder's as well. They all work in my Big Shot Pro!

If you are reluctant to pull the trigger on die-cutting because you think that you won't use those specialty dies, think about cutting strips, small pieces and even squaring up blocks.  I can cut oodles of strips with a few turns of the handle.

My good friend EbonyLove has a ton of information on her website as well as two books on die-cutting, a new video and plenty of tips on using these versatile machines.  Go check out her site for tons of useful information. 

 Please feel free to post your questions in the comment section and I will be happy to answer them. 

 Happy Quilting,

 Tracy 

*MSRP: Fabi and Big Shot Pro, www.sizzix.com  $119 - $449, machines; $19.99- $69.99, for dies.
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