Which Die Cutting Machine Should I Buy For Felt?
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Looking for the best cutting machine for felt? I decided to buy a craft cutting machine to ease the felt cutting. As I love to search for information, I went onto the web to help my decision. Buying a die cut machine is an investment and can be a big decision, so better be it the right decision. There are two major types of cutters on the market, manual and digital die cut machines. I will highlight the main features of each die cut machine type to help you make your decision. I will also share my purchasing decision on die cut machine for felt.
Happy die cut machine shopping and felt crafting!
Content
A die cut machine is a machine used to cut shapes from different materials utilizing a die. What does a die cut machine do? The die-cutting machine uses blades or rollers and cutting plates or blades to cut a perfectly outlined shape called a die-cut. While industrial cutting machines are used in manufacturing to mass-produce cut-out shapes, personal die-cut machines are with increasing popularity used among crafters.
The die-cut machines can cut shapes from various materials. You can think about paper, vinyl, fabric, felt, leather, thin wood, among others. The die cutting machines can be used in a wide variety of craft projects. Scrapbooking, greeting cards, quilts, party decorations, stickers, packaging are some to mention.
Digital and Manual Die Cut Machine
There are two main types of die cutting machines for personal use: manual and digital ones. While manual die-cut machine uses cranking level and steel dies to cut the material, the digital die-cut machine works with a sharp blade and software file.
The manual die cutting machines need differently shaped dies to cut the felt shapes. The die, felt and cutting pad is rolled manually through the machine to get the die-cut. Most dies are interchangeable.
Dies come in two categories: steel cut dies and thin metal dies. Thin metal dies are narrow metal shapes with a raised area that serves as the cutting edges. Steel rule dies are more robust than thin metal dies. They seem like a cookie-cutter encased in foam. Due to its strength, the steel rule die can cut through several layers of felt at once.
Manual Die Cut Machine - Sizzix Big Shot
Pros of Manual Die Cut Machines:
ease of use
the durability of the dies
cutting pads last a longer time than in digital cutting machines
lower price (approximately 3 times cheaper than digital die cutting machine not considering investment into the dies)
manages several layers of felt with steel rule die
Cons of Manual Die Cut Machines:
limited choice of shapes to cut given by the dies available
requires different die for each shape
a new custom die costs between $100 - $200
felt sheets cut to 6x9”
storage of dies
The digital die-cut machines (also called electronic cutting machines) utilize a digital design file in SVG format to cut felt shapes. You’ll need a computer or a tablet, phone to select the file and cut any felt shape you like.
The designs can be created or imported into design software, which the machine uses to cut the desired felt shapes. Here the right choice of machine is important as many machines will cut felt but only after applying stabilizer to the felt or using stiff felt.
Digital Die Cut Machine - Cricut Maker
Pros of Digital Die Cut Machines:
cuts any shape you like
many free files available
draw, etch and engrave as well as cut
digital design files saved on USB or cloud
no additional investment for specific dies
Cons of Digital Die Cut Machines:
cuts one felt sheet at the time
more expensive considering the initial cost
more frequent change of cutting pads compared to a manual die-cut machine
using technology that requires the right software and hardware
the specialized software might be challenging to use
challenges with shapes smaller than 1/2”
longer time to cut the felt shape compared to a manual cutting machine
I have decided to follow reviews and make a pre-selection to make my choice. As my time is limited, I couldn't possibly go through reviews of every single die-cut machine (there are way too many).
Next to Facebook group reviews, the websites that helped to make the pre-selection are:
Die Cut Machines Pre-selection:
If you are looking for a manual die cutting machine specialized in fabric cuts, AccuQuilt GO! is a fantastic option. It can cut up to 6 layers of fabric at once. This machine is portable and easy to store, making it a good choice for a crafter on the go. On the downside, it works only with AccuQuilt dies, and it is pricier.
AccuQuilt GO! Summary:
manual die-cutting machine
weights 15 lbs. (6.8 kg)
up to 10" (25 cm) cutting width
a hand-operated die-cut machine
fast and precise fabric cutting system
cuts extra thick material
foldable and portable design
ergonomically design to reduced effort when cutting the shapes
higher price tag
mat gets worn out over time
works with dies only from AccuQuilt
Die cut machine big shot is an efficient and versatile manual die-cutting machine. It is popular among crafters due to its easy functioning and durability. Compared to other die-cutting machines, the producer offers a three-year warranty for this die cut machine. On the downside, its sides cannot be folded, and its cutting is limited to the dies available (as for any manual die-cut machine).
Interested in knowing more about felt cutting with Sizzix Big Shot? Visit Sizzix Big Shot tutorial and learn how to select a die, make a Sizzix sandwich, and finally cut out the felt shapes.
Sizzix Big Shot Summary:
manual die-cutting machine
weights 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)
up to 6" (15 cm) cutting width
extended multipurpose platform
simple and straightforward cutting
reliable outcome
can use competitors dies
great for felt
affordable and great value for money
cut shapes limited to dies available
If you are after the ability to use hand-drawn sketches to cut felt shapes, the Brother ScanNCut SDX 125e is an excellent option. However, it is slower and provides less variety of cutting features. One downside to mention, you need a mat with a high-tack fabric support sheet to make your felt shape.
Brother ScanNCut SDX 125e Summary:
digital die-cut machine
scanning technology that allows to scan the design and easily create cut lines around the scan
excellent for hand sketch designs and its die-cut
steel blades
handles lighter materials
touchscreen LCD display
682 built-in designs
wirelessly connect your PC or mobile device to transfer cut data
cuts up to 3 mm in thickness
auto blade and auto blade holder detects the thickness of the material
provides a 1/4" increment sewing allowance to piece fabric together
If you are looking for fast results for larger projects and a machine with AutoBlade Silhouette Cameo 4 is the right option. On the downside, Silhouette Cameo 4 can only use one tool at a time.
Silhouette Cameo 4 Summary:
digital die-cut machine
can handle large products with built-in roll feeder
LCD touchscreen
use Silhouette Studio software which allows you to work offline
ability to “trace”, which is unique to Silhouette machines
cross cutter at the back of the machine
dual carriage with tool detection for automatic settings
dual motor system, which allows for unprecedented power
mat-less cutting, which allows cutting cardstock, paper, and other materials without using a mat
small storage area
can only use one tool at a time
Cricut Maker is a fantastic addition to the crafter's portfolio. In the package is included rotary blade which is essential to cut felt shapes. One of the highlights of Cricut Maker is that it can draw and cut in one go. This machine also has the strength to cut thicker materials like wood and leather. On the downside, the software is cloud-based, so you need to be connected to the internet to use the machine. See Cricut Maker on the Cricut website.
Cricut Maker Summary:
digital die-cut machine
cut score emboss perforate
cuts 300 material with wool felt among them
draw and cut at the same time
up to 2.4 mm thick of materials
rotary blade included (essential for felt)
ability to cut thicker mediums (wood and leather)
mobile device or computer required, no LCD touchscreen
sturdy, made of high quality material
it doesn't come with a scraper
The right choice in buying the die cut machine will be different depending on your felt crafting needs and what’s important for you. Factors to consider to make the die cut machine buying decision are:
COST - What's your budget? Can you invest in dies in the future?
PORTABILITY - Do you need to carry your die-cutting machine around?
USER-FRIENDLINESS - Is learning new software a problem? Do I have good internet connection? In this sense, manual die cut machines are simpler compared to digital die cut machine with software to use
CUTTING SIZE - what is the maximum size of felt the machine can cut? What is the largest felt project I want to work on?
FELT PROJECTS - Do you make a lot of similar projects, for example, only felt flowers? Or are you trying lots of different felt craft projects?
SPEED OF CUTTING - Is speed important for you?
Taking into consideration the above buying factors, I made my decision.
My budget is $500 (470 euros).
I do not need a portable die cut machine as I only cut felt at home. I consider myself quite a techie type, so new software learning should be OK.
My biggest felt shapes to cut are for felt banners and felt faces.
I do different projects (I get bored with repetitive tasks) for my free felt patterns. I design the patterns in software and can save them easily to SVG files.
Have you guessed my choice?
Cricut Maker is the machine I go for.
Now, let's try Cricut Maker out to see if it has been the right decision :)
If you are curious to know how Cricut Machines cut felt, visit the ultimate guide to cutting felt with Cricut Machines. Cutting felt with Sizzix Big Shot is so easy. Learn how to cut felt using Sizzix in the Sizzix Big Shot Tutorial.
June 10th, 2021:
I also considered the option of Cricut's die cut machine, Cricut Maker 3, released on June 10th, 2021. It has a 2x faster cutting speed than the Cricut Maker model. Next to being fast, the machine uses Smart Materials, which can be loaded into the machine without a cutting mat. It can also handle up to 12 ft long material in one go. This advantage doesn't apply to felt, as the machine's Grip mat still needs to be used. Cricut Maker 3 comes with a Fine-Point Blade only. This can mean additional investment for felt crafter as a rotary blade is the best knife to cut felt. For more on Cricut Maker 3, visit Cricut website.
I have to say that the faster speed of the new Cricut Maker 3 model has been tempting. But with the additional investment into the rotary blade and the great deals that Cricut Maker had at the moment (June 2021), I have stayed with the Cricut Maker decision.
July 10th, 2023:
The Cricut Maker and Cricut Maker 3 both offer outstanding capabilities when it comes to cutting felt shapes. However, the Cricut Maker 3 has certain advantages, making it a desirable option for this specific task. Firstly, the Cricut Maker 3 has a more powerful motor, enabling it to cut through thicker materials like felt with greater ease and precision. This ensures cleaner and more accurate cuts, resulting in a professional and polished finish for your felt projects. Additionally, the Cricut Maker 3 has a faster cutting speed, allowing for increased productivity and efficiency when working with felt. This can be particularly beneficial for those who engage in large-scale or time-sensitive felt craft projects.
At this moment, December 2023, the price of Cricut Maker 3 went down to $349 (and $369 in a bundle), and the price of Cricut Maker is at $299 ($369 in Everything Bundle) (It looks like the Cricut Maker is completely sold out on the Cricut Website, in a bundle it’s still available). If you want to purchase the Cricut Maker 3, you also need to buy the rotary blade for about $55 to be able to cut wool blend felt. I believe both machines are getting interesting at these price points. The choice will depend on your overall budget and whether the Cricut Maker 3 higher speed makes a difference to you and justifies the still higher overall price.
Q: What is a die cutter?
A: A die cutter is a machine that is used to cut out shapes from a variety of materials, including felt. It operates by pressing a sharp blade, called a die, into the material to create the desired shape.
Q: Can I use any die cutter to cut felt?
A: Not all die cutters are suitable for cutting felt. Some machines may not have enough cutting force or precision to cleanly cut through the fibers of the felt. It is recommended to use a die cutter that is specifically designed for cutting fabrics, such as the ones mentioned earlier.
Q: What are the best cutting tools for cutting felt apart from die cut machines?
A: The best cutting tools for cutting felt are rotary cutters and sharp scissors. Rotary cutters are particularly useful for straight lines and curves, while sharp scissors are great for intricate shapes and details.
Q: Can a machine cut multiple layers of felt at a time?
A: Yes, some die cutting machines can cut multiple layers of felt at a time. The number of layers will depend on the specific machine and the thickness of the felt. It is always recommended to check the manufacturer's guidelines for the maximum number of layers that can be cut.
Q: Can the Cricut Maker cut felt?
A: Yes, the Cricut Maker can cut felt. In fact, it is known for its versatility and ability to cut a wide range of materials, including fabric, felt, and even balsa wood. However, it is important to use a rotary blade designed for fabric and adjust the settings accordingly.
Q: Can the Cricut Maker cut and emboss felt?
A: No, the Cricut Maker is primarily a cutting machine and does not have built-in embossing capabilities. If you wish to emboss your felt, you will need to use a separate embossing machine or tool.
Buying die cut machine for cutting felt is a step forward in my felt crafting. Writing this post has helped me decide which die cut machine to buy for felt. The die-cut machine pre-selection has narrowed down the choice, and the buying factors helped to finalize the decision. Wishing for you to also make the right decision!
Thank you for crafting with me! What are your thoughts? Let me know in comments if you find this article useful and share any tips of yours!
Be sure to visit more on this website for free embroidery and sewing tips and tricks to help you out as you stitch my patterns. For free felt patterns visit my Freebies page.
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XO, Anna