Cutting Fabric with the Sizzix BigShot, Ideas and Projects

[@maryannewatson2393]

Watching back videos ... in quarantine darn coronavirus. You've been a life saver.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Maryanne, Agreed- KZbin has been a great pastime during this. Thanks for watching my videos...Julia

[@Phyllis-nk5ji]

This is one of the most current and informational tutorials that I've found on youtube. Others are much older.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Phyllis, I am glad this video helped. If you are not subscribed to Sizzix newsletter, I would recommend it. You can sign up on their website- www.Sizzix.com. They always have a big sale for Black Friday, and usually have great prices on older dies. Happy Thanksgiving! Julia

[@jennym007]

I just bought a Bigshot and have gone a little crazy buying the Bigz Dies. I'm having so much fun with it. So far I've made some teddy bear applique mug-rugs. And some 8-part/circle pincushions. All from your inspiration Julia!!

[@heidioerlemans8333]

Thank you. I was wondering about the sizzix,now I see how easy it is to use it.

[@marianmalone9523]

Thank you so much. I have had a big shot for years but never used for cutting fabric. Just ran across a channel that was talking about it so I decided to try it. I'm making a baby quilt right now and ordered one of the half square triangles. I am going to get my big shot out of the closet and start using it. You are so talented and I am grateful that you share it.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

I love my BigShot for cutting fabric! I'm so glad you are dusting yours off and giving it a try. Have fun with the baby quilt! Julia

[@ndlz1]

Thank you! Oh my! Didn't know that there were so many other components other than the dies that are needed as well. I guess little by little I'll aquire them. I just ordered my Big Shot, awaiting the delivery. You were very helpful in understanding this tool. Blessings.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi, I've had my BigShot for many years and use it weekly. I've gradually accumulated my Bigz dies throughout the years. Sizzix have great sales throughout the year. I would recommend signing up for their newsletter at Sizzix.com. Also Ebay is a great place for gently used dies. Have fun with your BigShot! Julia

[@Jenniepoo3]

I am a recent subscriber and just saw this video for the first time. I cannot thank you enough for posting this!! I have started selling my crafts and so I've been shopping for "helpers" like the Big Shot. I've read so many reviews about cutting machines, and most of them seem to be more of an expense than a "helper". Your video basically clinched the deal for me. I'm now shopping for a Big Shot. Thank you again so much!

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much for subscribing to my channel. I started doing craft shows when my kiddos were little so I could stay home with them. They are now young adults and I'm still going strong! The BigShot has really helped me with my cutting and has saved my wrists. I use it nearly every day. You can get good deals on it by using a coupon either at Micheals or Joann Fabrics. I got mine at Joann's several years ago. Good luck selling your crafts! Julia

[@moniquebexplorer8237]

You're so imaginative and creative. I can't get enough of your videos. Thank you.

[@stephaniepaterson6340]

I’ve just ordered myself the big shot...I’ve struggled all year trying to get the scan n cut to cut fabric but I’ve given up...it’s great for cutting out hand drawings, around stamps, making stencils, paper etc but a big no to felt and fabric. I was really fed up as I struggle to hold scissors and thought I was going to have to give up then I saw your other video on brooches/free motion sewing and you showed cutting the material on a big shot.....it looked easy so I’ve gone ahead and ordered one..I feel quite wild!! Now, half way through this I’ve stopped to look for the flower layers die and found one on ebay for £7....so I plan to buy that. I think you’re an inspiration and love your videos...please keep them coming.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Stephanie, I think you are going to love the BigShot! I have a Circuit and like you with the scan n cut, I have always struggled cutting fabric. The BigShot is so easy. I use to do lots of craft shows and hand-cut all my appliqués. I started to have carpel tunnel symptom from all the cutting. The BigShot has really helped! Ebay is a great place to find the Bigz dies. I find lots of good deals on the dies and rarely pay full price. Have fun! I am so glad you enjoy my videos! Julia

[@elainebruno4119]

Man, I wish I had know about this item before I bought my Cricut, which I used twice and returned to the box and stored away. Thanks for the great demonstration.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Elaine, I love the BigShot for cutting fabric. I think the Cricut and the Silhouette Cameo is good for paper, vinyl or making stencils. I have never used the Brother Scan -n - Cut but many crafters use it to cut fabric. I wish it could be easier without so many choices LOL! Thanks for watching. Julia

[@vickieubank7979]

What a great time for a new video from you Julia. I’ve been in a ‘lull’ 😩. You always give me boosts. Thx

[@janetwest8254]

Hi Julia, I have to say that after , one of your other video's with the Fox I was hooked on the bigz dies. Ordered several and am having a blast. Thanks for sharing all of your great ideas. Hope all is going very well with your summer shop.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Janet, Yes the BigShot has been a staple in my sewing room. I used to cut all my appliqués by hand (lots and lots, because I was doing craft shows), my arm started to hurt and tingle. I knew I had to make some changes and the BigShot was my answer. Thanks so much for watching! Julia

[@ruthgibbins510]

Thank you Julia! I do applique on clothing and I’ve avoided text and detailed commissions, but your video has inspired me to think again! Such a useful machine! I’ve got friends who have fancy cricket machines, but I think this is much better.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Ruth, I like the BigShot over the Cricket for cutting fabrics. I have a Cameo Silhouette but mainly use it for paper crafting. Thanks for watching, Julia

[@adelepowell8974]

Absolutely love the Flowers cushion.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Thanks Adele!

[@truthbetold4178]

Thank you, Julia~

[@marysu4]

I have the exact same machine! I have found that if I run the die back through any cuts that weren't complete the first time cut cleanly with that second pass. Make sure to keep everything in place to make the second run through! I generally don't let the die exit completely on the first pass so it all stays put! I have a ScanNCut also, but the Sizzix is still in first place because I am just learning the other one which has a steeper learning curve! Keep making your wonderful videos, I learn so much from you!!

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Marysu, I too have a different cutting device, the Silhouette Cameo. I agree about the learning curve. I don't take the time to learn it so I'm always going back to the BigShot. Good hint on sending the fabric through twice, I will give it a try! Julia

[@jeanneluddeni5159]

Oh they have everything u need on eBay I just bought a vintage big shot with those bigz dies this is a perfect video and timing thank u

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Yes Ebay is a great place to start especially with any discontinued dies.

[@Nanaslegacy]

I have a bigshot too mine is the turquoise one and it came with the platform also. I love it, don't forget you can emboss with it too. I didn't know you could cut fabric with the thinlets will be trying that!

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi, I forgot all about the embossing! Some of my bigz dies came with an embossing folder. Such a fun machine! Thanks for watching!

[@dorothygriffiths6626]

Hi Julia a fabulous tutorial thank you. Your machine is exactly the same as mine and I also have the same dies, plus many more. I purchased mine years ago and wouldn’t be without it. I bought a Gemini machine last year but still return to my old favourite time and time again. I love the little pouch you always create such wonderfully magical and unique items, I just love your work. It is sweltering here in the U.K. and I am off to Italy this weekend for a short holiday, my first venture abroad on my own so wish me luck. Sending you loads of hugs and loves Julia. Dorothy xxxxxxx🙋🏻❤️😎

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Dorothy, So good to here from you. I had a viewer ask about the BigShot so I thought I'd do another video explaining things more thoroughly. Isn't it an awesome machine? It's sweltering here too :) Have an amazing holiday- you are going to do great! Julia

[@Hb02765]

Thank you so much for making this video Julia, i can now make a much more informed decision about what to purchase. Your video has been really helpful. Have a great day xx

[@stitchesbyjulia]

So glad I could help! Julia

[@marysu4]

You might notice that while several of us have the pricier cutting systems, they take a good bit of time to figure out. The Sizzix is super simple and you can start cutting as soon as it's out of the box and you load up the dies! For the money, the Sizzix is the better buy!

[@sharonjackson4888]

I dropped mine the other day on my ceramic tile floor and it did not hurt the machine at all. That thing is made to last. I am thinking of getting the next larger size just because it is larger,but I have cut leather and all kinds of things on my machine and it is still working very well.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Sharon, I agree! The BigShot is built to last. I use mine almost every day with my applique work. Happy sewing! Julia

[@mendyelliott9495]

Great tutorial! Thank you.

[@pamketron]

Hi Julia - Great info. One day I will get one of these. So many things that can be done. Hope you are doing great in your summer shop. Happy Week! 🌼🦋🌼 Hugs!🌺

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Pam! Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. Summer shop is going well. We are open 3 days this weekend for start of the holiday week. Should be fun! Happy 4th to you!

[@carolyoung3793]

Great makes and good information on the big shot, I got one last Christmas and haven’t used it yet but I’m going to , thank you xx

[@judithompson9791]

Thank you for doing the Sizzix demo. You are always so inspiring!

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Thanks so much for watching and for your kind words! Julia

[@ascentofarose2001]

Good tips thanks

[@janetteaguirre-terry2986]

Wow Julia. You are talented. I’m so happy I found your channel. I loved your vid with the inktense and GAC 900. I have inktense pencils, gelatos, and distress oxides that I will try and use on my fabric. I’m learned the free motion quilting. Been practicing it everyday on a quilt sand which. It’s going to take time and practice but I wanna learn to eventually write. Thanks again.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Janette, You're art stash sounds like mine LOL. I really enjoy using my mixed media supplies on fabric, I find that I am finally using my supplies instead of hoarding them! I found that the distress oxides lift some even with the GAC but I love how opaque they are. Free motion takes practice but the skies the limit once you get it! Thanks so much for watching. Julia

[@janetteaguirre-terry2986]

Yes Julia im using miee of my stash and ive been practicing my free motion quilting on a samplw quilt sandwhich. I practice daily on a 12 by 12 i dont like using my good fabric and hobbs batting so i will go buy a couple of yards of cheap fabric n cheap poly batting for my practicing. I love my big shot plus. I have the accuquilt but i dont use it.

[@jeanwestackroyd2966]

Loved watching this, Julia ! I really ought to look at getting one or two bigz dies, sure they would be very useful to me by now. Thanks for showing what you do.

[@IlFantamondodiPatty]

Hi Julia, thank you very much for your always fantastic idea how to use the big shot for sewing.:-)

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@charlotteminichiello1081]

You r fab always teaching us great stuff

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@tashadennis2922]

I bought this years ago from MSQC to use with quilting but did not know how to use it,

[@sharonjackson4888]

I have the same machine, I bought it a long time ago. I think my grand kids were little then and now they are grown and married.

[@49lucky]

I have a ton of the bigz dies but I have the big shot pro to use I need the really big dies. I make clothes everything with that big dude.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi, I've been looking at the BigShot Pro! I'm not sure if I have room for it in my little craft space but it looks like fun!

[@sheilaperl4155]

Loved this!! What great ideas and so creative, I often wonder which decorative dies I should be buying, I have the Sizzix Sidekick and I like it very much!

[@jeanneluddeni5159]

Oh make more videos like this I need all the help I can get

[@janetcozens4623]

Hi there Julia Amazing information

[@anncrosby2094]

Very interesting! I love the way you edge stitch on the appliqué it has a nice sketchy look to it…how did you do that? Using free motion stitching or normal straight stitching with feed dogs up ? I’m thinking of getting a big shot and want to know if you can get dies for cutting basic squares, triangles,rectangles, hexagons etc out of fabric for quilting ….? Thank you Ann in Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi, I did use a free motion stitch with my feed dogs down. It's a lot of fun! The Big Shot has many quilting shapes. You can take a look at Sizzix.com. Thanks so much for watching!

[@Phyllis-nk5ji]

Hi Julia, I'm still debating on getting a big shot with the 6" opening. Do I really, really need it? I discovered that on occasion Tues Morning has them on special, as does Jo-Ann's and Amazon. We also are lucky enough to have a craft warehouse, open Thurs-Sun. that sometimes has die cuts. Think I'll wait for the bargains. You've shown me some clever cuts that I really like that would be handy to have. Thank you.

[@BeatlesFanSonia]

Michaels carries the Big Kick which is exactly like the Big Shot but a different color

[@soniabutler6280]

I only recently bought the Sizzix Bigz, but have struggled to find the interesting tag dies etc you have as the deep famed dies. I've only found them as " thinlet " type Having also bought an Accuquilt, its good that the sizzix dies are more interesting shapes for appliqué, and better priced. Do you contact the sizzix manufacturer to recommend them re issuing some of these core shapes for labels etc. .? I love those fonts - I don't seem to be able to buy them in the uk till now. Your link did forward me to sizzix uk though so that has helped xx many thanks

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Sonia, Many have commenting that they find discontinued dies on Ebay at great prices. You may also want to try that. Thanks for watching! Julia

[@ziggiezag938]

Can the Sizzix Thinlits dies be used in GO! Me/GO! Baby?

[@Phyllis-nk5ji]

Tuesday Morning has a sale on the Sizzix big shot..$49.00. I'm so tempted.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

That's a great price if you are looking:)

[@marylynross1099]

can you help me my big shot machine is block what can i do please???

[@jacquelinewalton1859]

Hi Julia - Jackie again -- I did order a sizzix big shot, not here yet. Question - is it possible to use a die that just says Sizzix die (doesn't say BIGZ). I appreciate your comments. Thanks.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Jackie, The Bigz dies work the best for fabric. They have hidden metal that cuts the fabric. It will cut up to 4 layers at a time. However I have had some luck with the thinner Sizzix dies. I used a single layer and added a paper adhesive to the back. ( I used Heat-n-Bond Lite). The thinner dies are meant for paper and adding that paper adhesive helps. You might want to do some experimenting. Avoid detailed dies. Also the thinner dies need the cutting platform. This platform usually comes with the BigShot. I hope this helps. Have fun with your new BigShot! Julia

[@janiceduerr620]

I have an Accuquilt Go machine and after spending that money, I hate to buy another machine if not necessary. Do you know if the Sissix dies will work on the Go? They seem to be the same thickness as my Go dies, but are much more cost effective. If you don't know, I may have to buy a Sissix die and experiment. Thanks so much! Merry Christmas.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi Janice, I'm not sure if the Bigz dies work in the Accuquilt. It would be interesting to find out. Perhaps someone who knows will chime in. Thanks for watching, Julia

[@karenpettinger6592]

They do not, except for in the Studio machine. They are thicker than Accuquilt dies. Accuquilt dies will work in the Big Shot, though, with an adapter or shim.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Thanks for your input Karen! Good to know.

[@bonnielee8935]

I used ebay to get my machine and there are always really good collections of dies, super good prices. You just have to be careful who you are buying from on ebay as always. I have not been disappointed yet (knock on wood).

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi, Yes Ebay is a great place to find machines and dies - especially discontinued ones. Thanks for watching! Julia

[@TRI-qm8ul]

Can i cut fabric on sizzix big shot without applying the heat and bond? Thanks in advance.

[@stitchesbyjulia]

Hi- yes! It cut up to 4 layers at a time.

[@Wilma.B]

😍