Top 6 Best Fabric Cutting Machine For Quilting in 2023
You may feel tired if you are a sewing enthusiast who always cuts fabric manually. Actually, it is not only a time-consuming process, but it lacks precision too.
Of course, you can go for the old-fashioned way by using scissors and cutting fabric by hand. But you and I both know that sometimes, frustration kicks in when you are in the middle of a thousand different chores.
Why put in so much effort when there are other alternatives? So what are these alternatives? You guessed it right! In this age of technology where machines are used for almost every purpose, why will fabric cutting machines lag behind?
The real challenge here is to choose a fabric cutting machine. But don’t worry, because I am here to help you with that dilemma of yours as I have listed down the Top 10 best fabric cutting machine for quilting.
Hopefully, this article will provide you with all the information you need. So, keep reading.
Image | Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Cricut Maker | 5 out of 5 | |
 | AccuQuilt GO Fabric Cutter | 5 out of 5 | |
 | Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit 661500 | 4.5 out of 5 | |
 | AccuQuilt GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter Starter Set | 5 out of 5 | |
 | Brother ScanNCut SDX125E Electronic DIY Cutting Machine | 4. 5 out of 5 |
Table of Contents
Benefits of Using the Fabric Cutting Machine
Before starting to discuss the advantages, I would like to discuss my journey with different fabric cutting machines. I think it is my rightful duty to justify my claim. Anyway, for the last 6.5 years, every day I have been using this type of machine. Here, I will tell you why I can’t resist using cloth cutter devices.
Anyone Can Use It
Cutting fabric by hand demands expertise. Not everyone has the skill to cut fabric by hand without damaging the fabric. As a result, people who have just started working in this field will find it very difficult to do the job. In fact, it will be very risky to assign this job to an amateur.
But if you own a quilt cutting machine, the job will be much easier. It will not matter who you assign the job to, because anyone can use these machines without needing any kind of prior training.
Beginners will be able to quilt without having to worry about damaging the fabric.
Variation Of Designs
When you are cutting a piece of fabric for quilting by hand, your craft will be limited to simple designs and dimensions of the fabric. It is very difficult to cut out pieces of fabric for quilting with complex designs. I bet you have faced this problem.
If you can use a quilt cutter system that means you can cut the fabric of any design and dimension without any complexity of the design. You will have a range of different types of designs at your disposal. So, there will be no complexity to handle it.
They Are Efficient
Everyone knows that machines work faster than people. Suppose you have a lot of work pending. You will inevitably want to speed up everything you do. In this situation, even if you love quilting, you will be frustrated with the amount of time it takes to cut the fabric.
Using a quilt fabric cutter will result in a faster process along with better precision because there are no chances of any error. The blades work their magic in seconds and you are presented with exactly what you wished for.
As I mentioned blade, please be safe when you are cutting any cloth with a quilting machine.
They Are Convenient
Fabric cutting machines are convenient because they are easily portable. If you ever have to work in a different place than you usually do, you can carry it to your preferred location without any hassle.
That means the place you work in will never be an obstacle when you use these machines.
Also, they do not occupy much space. So, you don’t have to allocate a large amount of space to store them.
Less Tiring
When a machine does the job for you, it means that you are saving energy. You can attend to more essential tasks which are not possible for machines to do for you. And, this will improve your daily productivity.
Moreover, you will get additional time to spend with the people around you. You can also use free time to explore new crafts and expand your expertise.
Our Top 10 Best Fabric Cutting Machine For Quilting
1. Cricut Maker Digital Fabric Cutter
The Cricut Maker occupies the top position when it comes to popularity and quality. If you are looking for the best-quality fabric cutter for quilting then I have to mention, it is very hard to beat this one.
This is an electric model that allows versatility so that you can work on any type of project you want to.
You are supplied with hundreds of digital designs and patterns from the most leading brands in the industry free of cost.
Not only does it make the work of cutting fabric less tedious for you, but it also saves your energy. All you have to do is select the perfect design for your project and you are pretty much done with the work.
Be it as delicate as crepe or as hard as a chipboard, the Cricut Maker will generate the perfect piece of cloth for you within seconds.
The rotary blade used to manufacture this amazing machine is capable of cutting through any type of fabric within the blink of an eye, without needing the assistance of any kind of backing material.
The variation of the type of tools that this machine uses is mind-boggling. Starting from scoring tools to pens and blades, you name it, this machine has it all!
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2. AccuQuilt GO Fabric Cutter
If you are in search of a quilt cutter system which cuts large pieces of clothes for you, then you should check this fabric cutting machine for once.
This quilt cutter machine speeds up your work by 90% compared to when you use a scissor or rotary cutter manually. How cool is that? Imagine being done with your work in less than a quarter of the time you usually spend.
The blade of this device does its job of cutting clothes perfectly with precision. You do not have to worry about the slightest bit of damage to your fabric. Your product will turn out better if you use this machine instead of cutting the fabric by hand.
This model weighs only 15 pounds which allows you to carry it anywhere. Be it your classes, quilting competitions, guilds, or retreats, you will be able to have this companion by your side to help you at all times.
The AccuQuilt GO quilting Fabric Cutter was designed to prioritize your comfort. You won’t feel any strain on your arms after cutting fabric for hours with it.
It also comes with a cutting mat, an exclusive GO! Value Die and a 20-page pattern book so that you can start quilting from the moment you receive this quilt cutter.
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3. Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit 661500
The Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit 661500 will serve your purpose whether you are a beginner or an expert. It is one of the most useful die-cutting machines for quilting you can find.
The platform is A5 sized, which means you can cut fabric of any dimension up to the width of 6 inches. Starting from die-cutting to embossing, you can perform any task using this material cutter for quilting.
It is designed to do lots of tasks within just a few efforts. All you have to do is roll the Big Shot machine only once to create a detailed and unique design in a perfectly cut piece of fabric.
Moreover, This Starter Kit is compatible with most of the dies in the Sizzix library except the Plus and Pro dies only. This means that you will be able to cut any type of material to match your requirements for quilting. Therefore, the type of fabric that you have to cut will never be a limitation.
This machine also has an instruction manual so that users can understand all of its features and take full advantage of the different types of service it provides. It does not need any kind of expertise to be operated.
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4. AccuQuilt GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter
The AccuQuilt GO! Big Electric Cutter Starter Set is one you should absolutely not miss out on. This electronic cutting device makes sure it does most of the work for you.
Be prepared to speed up your productivity by using this quilt cutter machine. It has the ability to cut up to six layers of fabric while keeping its efficiency at its peak. In addition, people from any age group can use it without worrying about safety or expertise.
Moreover, it is portable due its lightweight and ability to be folded. You can fold this machine and transport it from one place to another without any hassle. Hence, you will not need a lot of space to store it.
Its compatibility with all GO! dies gives you the opportunity to work on any type of innovative projects. It is also very easy to clean inside and out. All you need to do is wipe the cutter with a damp, soft dry cloth and finish off with a dry one to polish the blade.
Along with all of the features mentioned above, you will also be given a warranty card that guarantees the smooth function of this fabric cutter for one year.
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5. Brother ScanNCut SDX125E Electronic DIY Fabric Cutting Machine
The Brother ScanNCut SDX125E made its place into the list of the best fabric cutting machine for quilting because of the advanced technology. The built-in scanner makes this quilt pattern cutter stand out in the crowd of this type of machine.
Yes, you read that right! It has a built-in scanner that will enable you to scan your own handmade designs and then cut your cloth according to that.
But wait, it does not end here. You will have access to 682 built-in designs, among which 100 are quilting patterns. There are also 9 types of fonts in case you want to add any text.
In addition to that, there is a USB port that allows you to add your own custom patterns to this fabric cutter for quilting. A 5" touch-screen LCD display that comes with the machine will help you customize your designs.
It can be connected to any wireless device such as a mobile or laptop and has internal memory so that you can save your customized designs and use them any time you want.
This quilt cutter is equipped with automatic material sensor technology. You won’t need to adjust the ScanNCut DX auto blade according to the thickness of your fabric because it has the ability to do so by itself.
The thickness of the fabric you use will never be a limitation because this quilt pattern cutter can cut through 3mm of any type of fabric effortlessly.
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6. Olfa Deluxe Rotary Cutter (60 mm)
The Olfa Deluxe Rotary Cutter is different from the ones mentioned above. But, as a person who has been using fabric cutters for quite some time, I can say this will also win his/ her heart for it’s efficiency.
If this cutter is included in the list of the fabric cutting machines, then it must have something unique about it, right? That is exactly what I am going to discuss now.
This fabric cutter for quilting will reduce the strain on your arm. So you won’t experience any pain when you cut a lot of cloth. It is both efficient and economic because it does not use any electricity. You are going to save both money and energy if you go for this one.
The curved handle of this quilt pattern cutter allows a better grip so that the blade does not slide and damage the fabric. The shape of the handle also ensures that you are comfortable while using it and don't have to turn your wrist too many times.
The 60mm rotary blade made of tungsten is equipped with a handle that does not require much pressure to be squeezed.
Moreover, it ensures the safety of you and the people around you by retracting the blade when the handle is not in use.
And that is not all! This is one of the best fabric cutters for quilting because it can accommodate 45mm blades and decorative blades with customized edges as replacements. You will be able to use this cutter to create beautiful pieces of fabric with decorative edges.
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What to Consider Before Buying A Fabric Cutter For Quilting?
I understand your concern about quality and efficiency. You are going to spend your hard-earned money on a product. Therefore, you need to consider a lot of things before making a purchase so that you end up with the best one. Here are a few factors that you should consider before buying a fabric cutter for quilters.
Machine Type
You are provided with two options in this regard. You can either go for a manual, or an electronic fabric cutting machine. It mostly depends on individual preference and budget, but there are a few differences between the two types.
Alternatively known as die-cutting machines, manual machines are operated by hand using an easy lever that you need to turn. It has a steel die that cuts through the fabric. The uniform pressure applied by the machine enables the die to cut the fabric in its shape.
As the name suggests, electronic quilt cutting machines are powered by electricity. They are also referred as digital fabric cutting machines. Using these machines does not require any manual labor. They are managed by cartridges and software.
Unlike manual fabric cutters, electronic quilt cutters do not have a steel die. Instead, they have a blade attached inside them which cuts the fabric as per the design chosen through the software.
While you can achieve the same results using both of these types of machines, electronic fabric cutting machines offer a wide range of designs and material options to choose from compared to the manual ones. They also have a higher price range.
On the other hand, manual quilting machines lack versatility but are a lot cheaper. They can also be transported without any hassle and you will be able to use them anywhere without having to worry about your location.
Money Matters
One of the most vital factors that determine the purchase of a product is its cost. It is very natural to have financial limitations, which is why the budget plays the main role in this regard.
Therefore, the first step is to decide on a budget before you even start looking at the products. Evaluate your expenses. How much can you spend? What effect will it bring in your daily lifestyle?
Once you have compared the budget with the features, start to check out the product. But don't make the mistake of settling for the cheapest one you come across. Go for a reasonable, but a durable machine.
Space
Whenever you purchase a new tool for your quilting jobs, one of the most important questions that arise is "How much space will it need?" You have to allocate space for your new companion while making sure that there is enough space for you to do other things.
You can avail fabric cutting machines in a number of different sizes. Some are compact, while others are larger in size. Honestly, it all depends on how much space you can manage to store. The right one for you will be a perfect fit in your chosen spot.
If you don't have a lot of free space, I would suggest you go for a manual machine. This is because of the similarity in size between them and a toaster. They are smaller and portable compared to their electronic counterparts and can be used anywhere.
Compared to manual machines, electronic cloth cutting machines are longer in terms of dimension, but they have a slim width. They can almost be mistaken for a computer printer due to their appearance. Since they require electric power, they are larger in size. Thus it has not the portability like the manual one.
Accessories
Most brands will provide an instruction manual and a beginner's guide for you to get started. It is crucial that you keep the availability of such accessories in mind when purchasing a quilt cutter machine.
Actually, accessories depend on the type of fabric cutting machine you select. Typically, manual machines are manufactured with standard cutting mats and die. Also, you can get built-in designs, mats, and sometimes even pattern books.
I would say, the wise step is to evaluate your needs. For instance, if you already have a collection of dies, you will not like the dies that come with a machine. But it must be noted that in order to do so, you must make sure if the machine is compatible with your dies or not.
Efficiency
Although this may sound like the most obvious thing to consider while choosing a machine. Sometimes quilters do not know how to assess the efficiency of a quilt cutter correctly.
Leaving only a few exceptions, most brands are equipped with blades that are only capable of cutting through paper or similar materials. Of course, they can cut fabric too, but they are not specialized for the task.
In order to finalize the perfect one for you, you need to answer a number of questions.
How many layers do you need to cut at a single time?
Which materials do you use the most?
How frequently will you use the machine?
Your answers will determine the right one for you because most models are incapable of cutting all types of fabrics. Therefore, I would advise you to read the product description carefully so that you know how it works with different materials.
In addition, don't forget to have a sneak peek at the customer reviews. They will provide you with useful insights into the actual capabilities of the quilt pattern cutter.
Versatility
The first thing that typically comes to your mind when buying a quilt fabric cutter is the ability of the machine to cut different materials. However, you should not ignore the versatility of the machine as well.
Of course, it can cut fabric very well. But what else can it do? You are spending a hefty amount on this product. You deserve some additional features, don’t you?
However, both manual and electronic quilt fabric cutting machines can be used for different types of crafts. The electric ones manage to take a step ahead in this regard due to the use of technology for different functions.
Even if you don’t intend to work on other crafts right now, what is the harm in owning a machine that allows you to explore a new field?
Expertise
Have you ever been in a situation where you dodged a task just because it seemed too complicated? I did! Yeah well, that is the same case with machines like this.
If the instructions seem too difficult, chances are that you will probably never use it. Instead, you will regret wasting your money on something that will just occupy space in the room.
To avoid this regret, you must read the product description and customer reviews very carefully. You must have at least a slight idea of how the machine works. If it seems too difficult to operate, remove it from your list.
Of course, the level of difficulty will not matter much if you are already an expert. But this can be a huge problem for amateur quilters.
Generally, electronic quilt cutters are more complicated than the manual ones. This is because you have to know how to operate the software it is equipped with. However, some may be fairly easy to use too.
On the other hand, manual cutters require the least expertise because of the lack of electronic functions. All you have to do is align the mat, die, and fabric correctly. And now, you are free to show your elegance!
In other words, the machine that you choose should complement your level of expertise. At the end of the day, it is all about personal preferences and limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sharpen the blade in my fabric cutting machine?
It is very normal for a blade to wear out after it has been used multiple times. When the blade in your quilt cutter machine becomes blunt, you may have to use it a couple of times to be able to cut the fabric.
In worse cases, the blunt blade can even cause permanent damage to an expensive piece of clothing. In a situation like this, you have to either replace the blunt blade with a new one or sharpen the old one.
New ones can be found in shops, but you have to make sure that you purchase one that is compatible with your device.
On the other hand, if you want to sharpen your existing blade, you can do so using only a tin foil. All you have to do is mold the foil into the shape of a ball and poke the ball with the blade a few times to get rid of the bluntness.
Why is my fabric sticking to my cutting mat?
A cutting mat should be sticky so that the fabric does not move from its intended position while the machine is cutting it. If the fabric moves, then the design will be ruined.
However, when a cutting mat is new, it can be extremely sticky. Sometimes, your fabric may stick to the mat even after it has been cut. Now, the real challenge here is to remove the material without damaging it.
While doing so, you have to know that you must pull the material away from the mat and not the other way around. Carefully use a spatula to remove the fabric from the surface of the mat very slowly.
The next step is to reduce the stickiness of the mat so that you don’t have to face this situation again. You can do so by gently wiping your cutting mat with a soft cotton shirt. This will remove the excessive stickiness so that your fabric does not stick the next time.
Can I clean my cutting mat?
A standard cutting mat is supposed to retain its stickiness for up to 25-40 uses. But if you want to extend its lifetime, you can achieve so by cleaning it. You have to clean it regularly.
Firstly, you should scrape the mat with a plastic scraper. Then wipe it gently with a lint roller or an alcohol-free baby wipe so that the debris is removed without reducing the stickiness of the mat.
If your mat looks dirty and the above-mentioned method does not work, then you should lightly scrub it with warm soapy water using a soft brush. Then rinse it off with some more warm water.
If you see that your mat does not have any stickiness at all, it means that it has gotten very dirty. In this case, you will have to use a strong degreaser. A degreaser will clean anything that is on the surface of the mat.
After that, let it dry and reuse it again. Here we discuss more detains about cleaning cutting mat.
Conclusion
To finish off this brief discussion on the best fabric cutting machine for quilting, I would like to say that the best one for you is the one that fulfills your requirements. You can always cut fabric using scissors, but using a cloth cutting machine will save you a lot of precious time.
But, don’t be fooled by the shiny exterior of a machine. All that glitters is not gold. Always try to analyze factors such as efficiency, durability and versatility. And most importantly, ask yourself “Are the features of this machine useful to me? Will I be able to use it?”
While I can only guide you to make the best choice, only you know what you actually need. I hope that this article has managed to clear the scenario quite a bit for you. I have carefully chosen the products listed above to ensure people with different needs find something relatable in this article.
Hopefully, you have found your ideal quilt cutter by the end of this article.
Thank you for granting me a part of your valuable time and reading this article!