The Big Shot is a Big Hit!
I love wool applique! And for years, I had access to the Accu-Cut System at the APQ office. If you aren't familar with this product, it was originally made for the scrapbooking world and schools. But, once I discovered it could cut wool, I was in heaven. In fact, if you attend my class at APQU, you'll see my baby quilts appliqued with shapes cut from this system. Well, I no longer have access to the Accu-cut and I was talking to my friend Roseann about this, as she likes to cut lots of wool, too! She recommended I try the Ellison Big Shot, as she was pleased with how it was cutting wool. So yesterday, I finally decided to take the plunge and I'm so glad I did. Here it is in pieces after I took it out of the packaging.
I only bought two die-cuts--a flower and some tags. I pulled out my scrap wool box and went right to work. These little flowers were just so cute. What could I possibly do with them right now? Hmm. Oh, yeah, the girls have some denim jackets hanging in their closet. Then to the sewing room to search for some buttons and thread. A couple of stitches and here you have it.
Of course there are two...so I stitched one set of flowers to the left shoulder and one to the right and rotated the colors top to bottom.
And, as I'm working on the jackets I was thinking that for 3T, they didn't seem very big. Better try them on.
A little long in the sleeves, but otherwise not bad. Goldie was trying to figure out what the jacket was. They will be perfect for upcoming spring days.
I grabbed a little storage container that Henry and the girls got at Easter to hold all my pieces and parts.
And, did I mention the gems? How cute. They look more like silver studs in this photo, but they are really like diamond gems and they sparkle at me when I'm using the Big Shot. Oh what fun this is going to be.
Do any of you own a Big Shot? What do you cut with it? What's your favorite shape?
I only bought two die-cuts--a flower and some tags. I pulled out my scrap wool box and went right to work. These little flowers were just so cute. What could I possibly do with them right now? Hmm. Oh, yeah, the girls have some denim jackets hanging in their closet. Then to the sewing room to search for some buttons and thread. A couple of stitches and here you have it.
Of course there are two...so I stitched one set of flowers to the left shoulder and one to the right and rotated the colors top to bottom.
And, as I'm working on the jackets I was thinking that for 3T, they didn't seem very big. Better try them on.
A little long in the sleeves, but otherwise not bad. Goldie was trying to figure out what the jacket was. They will be perfect for upcoming spring days.
I grabbed a little storage container that Henry and the girls got at Easter to hold all my pieces and parts.
And, did I mention the gems? How cute. They look more like silver studs in this photo, but they are really like diamond gems and they sparkle at me when I'm using the Big Shot. Oh what fun this is going to be.
Do any of you own a Big Shot? What do you cut with it? What's your favorite shape?
I LOVE what you have done with the Big Shot flowers! OMG little Goldie looks adorable in her cute little jean jacket. Love reading your blog . . . getting a peek of your darling kids! So now I want a Big Shot . . . where did you find the dies? I can find the Big Shot but when I searched for the dies there were hardly any - Ellison's website didn't seem to have any!
xoxx, Renée
Reply to this
Hi Renee,
I bought my Big Shot and first dies at Archivers in Des Moines. They had a fair number of Sissix dies. Roseann has tried to explain to me what other dies work and I'm just starting to get it! But, I believe she said QuikKuts work, too. You can find the die-cuts also at JoAnns and Michaels. I just signed up for the Hobby Lobby weekly coupons and this week all of their QuikKuts are 30% off. I'm sure I'll get there and be standing in front of the wall of die-cuts and say "now which ones did Roseann say will work?" Good thing I have her cell phone number!! Let me know if you can't find them.
Reply to this
The brand you want to look for is Sizzix by Elison. I've found the best selection at Archivers, Joanns and Michaels. They are a little over a 1/2" thick.I can cut two layers of wool with this style. I've had good luck with the wafer style cuts from QuikKutz, too. They have a metal base and you can cut one thickness of wool with them. The Sizzlets or the once from Cricut won't cut wool ... they're desiged for paper. I've cut fabric with fusing on the back with the Big Shot and that worked well but only one thickness at a time. I've looked at a number of alphabets and finaly ordered Boss-O through my supplier. It has a bit of a chunky look so it's easy to sew without the wool pulling apart. If you want to see what other styles are available, I know Notions Marketing has a good amount. They're a wholesaler so you'd have to order them through a store ... like mine!
Reply to this
Wow -- I didn't realize that the die cut machines would cut fabric! Your little jackets for the girls are adorable.
Reply to this
Oh, yes, you should see the fun things Roseann is doing, too.
Reply to this
I've been using an AccuCut for years but was impressed with the Big Shot. Wasn't sure if it would work for cutting wool but I was delighed to find that it would. I like that Sizzix has a lot of dies that are kind of whimsical and they aren't very expensive. In fact, I have to stay out of that aisle sometimes because they're almost an impulse buy for me! They have them at 40% at Joanns this week.
Reply to this