Scan n cut forbquilt block

[Ltoppins]

What is your experience with using the Brother Scan n Cut for cutting out quilt blocks for a quilt? I just got one for Christmas and I'd like to try it but I am a little skeptical about the fabric sticking to cutting mat or the fabric not being cut correctly. Please share tips, advice and your experiences.
Lisa

[midnightline]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

No experience with the Scan n Cut, but I got a Silhouette Cameo machine for Christmas, and I think it works on a similar premise. I found I needed to have interfacing (or fusible web with the paper) on the back for the sticky mat to hold it properly. It also needs about half an inch of waste fabric around the edges of the cutspace for the fusible web with paper, or it peels the fabric off the paper instead of cutting it properly.

Since it needs interfacing to give the fabric enough structure to be cut properly, I would recommend it for cutting applique but not if you're doing simple pieced blocks. More complex pieced blocks (or even English paper piecing) might benefit.

[Ltoppins]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

Thank you for the tips. I guess I just need to start experimenting with some applique stuff. It comes with some preloaded quilt blocks (squares and triangles, etc...) and I wondered if they would cut out nicely or if the fabric would stick to the mat. The mat that is supposed to be used with fabric is very tacky. I feel like the blocks (squares or triangles) will get distorted when I remove it from the mat. Also, there's not much info in the manual about setting the blade, etc...

[Hulamoon]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

I remember someone said to heavily starch. Sounds like a fun machine.

[hh677]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

The Scan n Cut cuts one layer of fabric at a time, so using it to cut blocks would be a bit time consuming. If you do want to cut fabric, you either need to fuse a stabilizer or other interfacing/fusible to it, (good for applique pieces) OR there are support sheets that can be attached to the cutting mat to stabilize it.

All that being said, I have used my Scan N Cut more for paper than fabric, ad my success with fabric has not been great. The mat does seem to lose it's stickiness very quickly, so I clean it with baby wipes and have started spraying it with a fixative between cuts to help hold the material in place. I am still experimenting with blade depths and pressure, as I often start a cut only to have material stick to the blade, ruining it. These problems have occurred with both paper and fabric, but are far worse with fabric.

I initially bought this machine for a large paper project, hoping that I would be able to use it for quilting as well. We got through the paper project, so I can't say that I'm sorry I bought it, but I don't really recommend it for quilting unless you do a lot of applique. There is a users group on facebook, you might find more answers there. I am hoping to eventually resolve my issues with this machine.

Good luck!

[Ltoppins]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

All of this is good info and confirmed my worries about using it for quilt pieces. I wanted to use it to cut out precise squares or small pieces for a baby quilt. It sounds like it would be best to just stabilize and cut out appliqué pieces.

[midnightline]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

I have been using heat n bond light for my applique pieces, and the Silhouette cuts it very well. The more detail in your cut, the faster the blade will dull. I use the Autoblade, but I think its set on a depth of 3 or 4 (not sure how that translates to Brother). I will try to remember to post some pics when I get home of some of the pieces I've cut out.

[bubba]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

Terrial Magic works well. You get the fabric quite wet with it then iron it dry and it gets almost like construction paper. I have cut faux leather that way, just to see if I could!

[Ltoppins]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

Thank you to everyone for the tips and advice!

[midnightline]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

appieces.jpg

I promised pics, so here's an example of the level of detail you can get on your applique pieces.

Planning to do Rob's gears quilt, hence the gear. Not sure what I'll use the poodle for yet, lol.

[doloresbeger]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

I have one and love it. Have used it for cutting fabric and it works great. There is a facebook group called SCAL, Canvas and Scash. Ck them out. there are also lots of you tube videos that are soooo very helpful. I use freezer paper to cut my appliques out. Iron the fabric between two sheets of freezer paper and then cut. Works great. Or you can use heat and bond or similar product to iron on the back and then cut. Just check outthe videos of Jen Blausey on you tube. Hope this helps. I have had soooo much fun using mine and find new things to do with it all the time.

[Ltoppins]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

Wow! That looks really good! Did you stabilize with heat n bond lite? Or a different stabilizer? What blade setting did you use?

[midnightline]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

I did. And I think the blade setting was 3 or 4 (I have the autoblade, so it adjusts the depth for me).

[Lyndaj]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

[ATTACH=CONFIG]139224[/ATTACH]

I promised pics, so here's an example of the level of detail you can get on your applique pieces.

Planning to do Rob's gears quilt, hence the gear. Not sure what I'll use the poodle for yet, lol.

Beautiful gear. I just found out about that quilt today and plan to do it. Was also planning to cut the gears on my Scan N Cut which I have had for almost two months and have used to cut vinyl and paper but not fabric yet.

The thing with fabric is you have to prep the fabric either by using something like Heat N Bond or Terial Magic. Apparently it cuts fabric really well. I just haven't tested it yet.

[Ltoppins]

Re: Scan n cut forbquilt block

looks awesome!