Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The Big Little Book of Fabric Die Cutting Tips‏ by Ebony Love

Today is my day for "The Big Little Book of Fabric Die Cutting" by Ebony Love.

We will start off by explaining a little about the book.

What can I expect of the book?

“This book is not a project book.  It is a reference guide for die cutting across the 5 most popular fabric die-cutting systems – the AccuQuilt GO, GO Baby, and Studio; and the Sizzix Big Shot and Big Shot Pro. There are seven chapters which talk about everything from how to choose a die cutter, mats & other consumables, dies, fabric preparation & other materials, sewing & piecing tips, and further resources. The book is sized at 5.5” x 8.5”, is spiral bound so it lays flat, and will number at about 200 pages. It’s not necessarily a book that one would read from start to finish, although it is organized to walk you through the process. There are some photos and diagrams, but for the most part it is a “text” book. “

If you are the type of person that researches items before purchasing, then this is the book for you!

If you are the type of person that truly can not make up your mind about what type of fabric cutter will suit you best, then this is the book for you!

If you want to make the best decision as far as price and performance of a cutter, then this is the book for you!

If you want to know if you can mix and mingle your dies, then this is the book for you!

Ebony had done the research for you.  She has taken the guess work out of the equation for you in making the right decision for you.

I love my Accuquilt Go cutter.  Others have asked me questions about the Accuquilt Go cutter verses the other ones.  I can not answer those questions for you but Ebony’s book can.

Be sure to check out all of the other blogs that will definitely give you a better insight into her book.

Here’s the lineup of tour hosts!

I just wanted to say that I have met Ebony and she is one fabulous person.   She truly knows what she is talking about.  She is creative, ambitious, intelligent, fun, and has more energy then most of us have in our little finger.

To give you a glimpse of what you can do with your Cutter, I will show you my scrap drawer.  These scraps have steam a seam on the back and so I saved even the smallest of pieces.
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Got my trusty Accuquilt Go out…and I got this ….
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I can not really show you what I am doing with all of these circles but it sure made short work of it.

Here is a project some of you have seen but this is made from scraps from my friends project that I took out of the garbage after she left.
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The point I am trying to make is with a fabric cutter you can almost make something out of nothing.  There is only waste if you are not utilizing your cutter.  Ebony’s book can show you how to minimize waste.
Your creativity is all you need to minimize it even more.

So today I thought I would giveaway these precut leaf and acorn shapes.

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Just leave a comment telling me how you would benefit from this book.  If you already have a fabric cutter, just tell me which one and why you like it.



32 comments:

Betsy said...

interesting book Barb. I have the Go cutter and any tips on how to use it more efficiently would be great. Thank you for the chance.

Gill said...

I have a Go Baby cutter but I only have a couple of dies as they are so expensive here! I'd like some advice as to which dies are most useful!

Freddie said...

I have a big Accuquilt. I love it. It makes quick work of my scraps. Husband though the accuquilt baby was too fiddly (because he does the quilting?) and bought the big one for me rather than the baby. Can't say I regret it ;-)

VickiT said...

I LOVE how Ebony has created her book with the way it can lay flat and it's not filled with tons of projects. Sometimes we just need an entire book of 'how to' and directions on using our tools. I know I'm going to buy this book as soon as I can because it looks wonderful.

I think I'm going to see just how thick this book is and if possible, when not in use, it will be inserted into a plastic sleeve for my 3 ring binder along with the other sleeves filled with all the papers that come with my Accuquilt dies giving instructions for the quilts which can be made with each of the dies. That way all the Accuquilt Go info will be in one spot along with her book.

beaquilter said...

sounds like a great book, I have the Go! cutter and keep getting more dies, I love rotary cutting though, so the regular dies I don't buy much, but I like the dies for applique or funky shapes

Lesly said...

I've got the Sizzix Big Shot Pro and I am looking forward to learning more about how to maximize it with Ebony's book!

Bonnie58 said...

This looks like a great book. I have been tossing around the idea of purchasing a die cutter but have been a bit intimidated as to which one to look at. This looks like it will get me started in the right direction. Thanks for the opportunity on a great draw
bonnielarson58@gmail.com

Karen in Breezy Point said...

I'm completely new to die cutting and only have gotten so far as to take my Go!Baby out of the box, so the book would help me in every way possible! I've purchased a couple dies and mats, but haven't put my toe in the water yet.

Lovie said...

I have a GO and love it. Waiting for Ebony's book to learn more about other cutters, and using dies from other companies. Considering the purchase of a second cutter, [Sizzix Big Shot Pro]. I want to expand the selection of dies available to me.

Sally said...

Love my Accuquilt Studio--especially since I got the adapter and can use the Go! dies now. Also got a Go! Baby to take to classes I teach so I can infect all my students with this addiction! Love applique dies and pieced dies both. Recently got the Drunkards path dies (both sizes) and making a turtle quilt! thinking of getting a Big Shot too so I can use those dies. The book would be super helpful to me for ideas!

Ivory Spring said...

Sounds like a great book!

Snoodles said...

That sounds like a great book....I have a Go! Baby and love it, but I'd like to know more great tips on utilizing it and wasting less fabric. I'm shopping for more dies, so this would be a great resource for me.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

I have both the Studio Cutter and the Go cutter. I would to learn tips on how to better use them. Thanks for the chance.

Virginia said...

Last week I purchased an Accuquilt Go. I've only used the die that was included to cut 2 & 4" squares which I made into an almost twin size quilt. I have 3 strip dies ordered. I expect to save more time for quilting rather than all the cutting.

UcanQuilt2 said...

I inherited the studio. Which I love, I wasted a lot of time and fabric then I found Eboneys videos on you tube and they have helped so much so exciected for her book to come out. I have only used the 2 1/2 strip cutter, but I have so many other dies that still have the plastic on them.  Thanks for the oppuintuty to win Eboney's book.

Marcia W. said...

We had the good fortune of winning a baby GO! without dies and mats. It would be wonderful to win the book so can buy the appropriate add-ons to use our baby as die cutter .... especially since my (81 yo) quilting mother sprained her wrist protecting the soccer goal from her greatgranddaughters' kicks .... and I'm having back medical procedures so cannot cut fabric for her. Barb, thanks for the nice giveaway. Pre-cuts would be just the thing to keep her occupied (she can use her left hand) while in "time-out".

sandra said...

Barb I have had my Go sitting in the dining room now for a year. For some reason I am afraid to use it. Everyone seems to love them once they use them, but I never seem to find the time just to set it up and fool around with it . Do you think the book would help me? Sandra

SewCalGal said...

What great insights Barb. And, so nice of you to giveaway pre-cuts with your beautiful batiks too. Yumm.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

MoeWest said...

I'm having trouble making up my mind which one to buy. Ebony's book sounds like a great reference. Thanks for a chance in your giveaway.

Donna Joy said...

I would love to own an Accu go cutter. Even without knowing much about them, I just think I could make better use of my scraps . Love your giveaway, oak leaves and acorns are favorite of mine.

Nancy said...

I'm confused now as to what cutter to get. Her book would help me so much! Thanks for the giveaway!

emmy said...

Really looking forward to having such a great resource about die cutters. I have the Go, but am seriously looking at a larger cutter with all the questions that entails: what trays/shims/adapters needed for the Go dies I have, which one primarily for fabric, what other manufacturers dies can I use, etc.? Thank you for the giveaway

Sally said...

I'm just getting started with the Go cutter, but keep looking at Sizzix quilty dies with longing. Thanks for the chance.

SuzanneUrbanArt said...

I'm overwhelmed with the choices available in the die-cutting field. It would be lovely to have a resource book such as Ebony's to help me make up my mind!

Suzanne Urban

LeAnne said...

I have a Baby Go! and love it. I got my cutter because I love applique but don't like the tedious part of tracing patterns and cutting them out. I'm sure Ebony has lots of tips on more ways to use my cutter.

suemac said...

I have an Accuquilt Go Baby. I know I am not utilizing it like I should. I need help. This book sounds like the ticket.

Unknown said...

This book sounds like something every quilter should have in their resource library. Thank you for your giveaway.

Miss Jean said...

I have a GO Baby. I'm not sure I like it much. Mostly it serves as a book end.

Miss Jean said...

I have a GO Baby. Not sure I like it much. Mostly it serves as an expensive book end.

Carla G said...

This sounds like a great resource! I'm looking in to getting a die cutter and this book sounds like a big help in helping me choose! :)

SewLindaAnn said...

I have a Go Baby, and I'm trying to figure out a good larger size machine that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Those fingers look creepy!

Paulette S said...

What an excellent use of your scraps. Ebony's book sounds wonderful. I started with Cuttlebug because it's what my Michael's craft store had. I advanced to Sizzix for the push button electricity. I chose the GrandMark, so I would not have to upgrade to a larger machine for the largest quilting dies later and they have a adapter platform that allows me to use my Sizzix dies in this machine, which was priceless while making wedding invitations and paper decorations. I hope they address thin die usuage for their machines. Provocraft has excellent customer service. I've never had to contact Sizzix because their dies are outstanding and they put a test die cut in with every die to show the good quality, I also love their big favor box dies. AccuCut Craft has some good sales. I use all of my local craft store coupons for die purchases when ever possible, Michael's Arts and Crafts, JoAnn's Fabrics, Hobby Lobby. I'm subscribed to Sizzix and AccuCut Craft & Quilt, so I don't miss out on any offers.