Originally Posted by jaciqltznok

you might find more info by going to ihaveanotion dot com..
this site does not let me post the link to her blog..she tests ALL die cutting machines and great tutes, FAQ's etc...

Originally Posted by MTS

My questions were specifically realted to the Cricut machine - not the Sizzix or the Accu's or the Vagabound. Those are the machines that Kelly has reviewed. I know about those - but the dies available are not what I want.

Originally Posted by MTS

This is very timely. Your motifs looks fabulous.

I've had a pretty complex quilt project in mind for over a year.
I have all the fabric (over 70, and counting) but I've been vacillating and procrastinating on the method I want to use for the flowers.

The Accu dies aren't quite the shape and size that I want even though I know that would be the easiest path to take. Actually, paper piecing stars would be the easiest but I'm now quite set on the flowers, and I have a certain look I want.

So here are a few questions from someone who has NEVER even been in a scrapbook aisle in any store, and has only a vague clue as to how the Cricut even works:

How can I tell the size of the flowers or is it adjustable?
http://www.cricut.com/shop/#0/1/1413...pe%20Cartridge

-Do you have to run it through the machine one at a time, or can you stack them?
-How long does each "run" take?
-Are the dies on this site the only ones it can use, or are there 3rd party ones as well? (I remember reading something about a ProvoCraft(?) co - but it was regarding copyright issues.
-Can you design your own images and cut those?

The reason I'm asking is I'm curious as to the time it would take to cut X of these if I were to pay someone with the machine to do it for me, assuming I bought the cartridge, and had prepared, cut, and had the fusible already fused to the fabric.

Sorry for the very, very basic questions. Thanks.
And sorry for temporarily hijacking your thread.

Originally Posted by mom2boyz

I too have a Cricut Expression and a Gypsy. I have not cut fabric but I have cut vinyl. The Gypsy allows you to alter an image and to place the image on the mat & fabric where you want it. There might be quite a bit of waste (of fabric) if you don't use the Gypsy. You can fill the entire 12x24 mat with images or the same image and then cut it in one fell swoop. The time depends on how intricate the design is. You can't cut more than one layer of fabric at a time. How many do you think you will need? The cost might be in blades and mats as the mats only stay sticky so long. And by the way, the cartridges have come way down in price. I don't know about this flower one as I haven't seen this one before. Cartridges that were once $89.95 can now be purchased on several websites for as low as $14.95.

Originally Posted by MTS

I was really NOT wanting to buy a machine, but is this a good deal?
http://crafts-sewing.hsn.com/cricut-...ewing-_-126124

Originally Posted by jaciqltznok

seems like a lot of money for a few flowers...perhaps you could find someone that already has the set up and offer to buy the cartridge you need and pay them for their time/use of the machine to get your flowers!

Originally Posted by MTS

I was just asking if it was a good price for the machine/combo offered, not necessarily for my project. Is it?

Originally Posted by MTS

I was just asking if it was a good price for the machine/combo offered, not necessarily for my project. Is it?

Originally Posted by MTS

Thanks so much for the information. I didn't realize there were 12x24 size mats for that machine. It looks so small.

My flowers need to be around 3" and 5" to fit on 4" and 6" backgrounds, and about 150(?) in total. I just arbitrarily picked that cartridge because it's close to what I want.

Now I've read a bit about the Gypsy. Who knew? ;-)
So I could design the template to be exactly what I want, and then print it out in a variety of sizes, right?

I was really NOT wanting to buy a machine, but is this a good deal?
http://crafts-sewing.hsn.com/cricut-...ewing-_-126124