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Klick N Kut for cutting fabric?

3685 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  SandyMcC, 
D
I'm wanting to a machine that can cut fabric for embroidery appliques. I'm thinking about getting the Klick N Kut Groove-E or Maxx 15". I know there is a special blade for cutting fabric.

How well do these machines cut fabric? Can they cut detailed designs? What limitations are there for fabric? How clean is the cut? Would you recommend me buying one of these machines for this purpose?

At this point I do not do huge amounts of appliques but I want to start doing them and don't have the time to hand cut the fabric. So this was the least expensive and hopefully successful way to do it.

Or if you have any other suggestions, I'm open to hearing them. I do have a GCC Jaguar IV cutter and I know I can buy psa twill and boxercraft material, but I want to cut my own fabric.

Thank you for your help!
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SandyMcC
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Here are some photos of fabric cuts made by the Groove-E. The lady who has this business has cut the following:

Taffeta
Satin
Silk
Very thin liner fabric (not good for use with the thermo web; too thin so adhesive goes through)
Twill, med weight
Linen (thin)
Brocade (didn't work well)

She is first applying Heat n' Bond to the fabric before cutting, but it's not essential to do that with all fabrics.

Hope this helps!

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SandyMcC said:
Here are some photos of fabric cuts made by the Groove-E. The lady who has this business has cut the following:

Taffeta
Satin
Silk
Very thin liner fabric (not good for use with the thermo web; too thin so adhesive goes through)
Twill, med weight
Linen (thin)
Brocade (didn't work well)

She is first applying Heat n' Bond to the fabric before cutting, but it's not essential to do that with all fabrics.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Thanks Sandy!

OT: How did she get the fabric to stay on the purse and shoes? It doesn't look like it's sewn on?
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SandyMcC
She irons everything on... the Heat n' Bond she uses is the Extra Hold kind. In fact, you do NOT use a sewing needle because the adhesive if very aggressive and will gum up on a needle.

You can use all of the different grades of bonding materials OR none at all. I like using them because it makes the material stick tightly to the cutting mat and you get better/sharper cutting. But, again, it's not essential with the thinner fabrics to apply an adhesive.
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I am wondering about the advantages of purchasing a cutter with a pen or laser light. I have been looking at information and trying to decide the best cutter. I am also looking at appliques- out of fannel and lycra style material and to do tshirt transfers. So I have looked and trying to compare b/w KNK Groove, Silhouette SD, Pazzles, E Craft, BossKut, Graphtec 500, Gazelle

Would like to also have options to do as many things as possible with the machine ie, etching, rhinestone templates, magnetic, vinyl etc.

I like the Gazelle since it has act. 12 in wide cut and 500 g force. I also need the most user friendly computer program. I am visual learner not manual.
I want to also cut basic quilting shapes for quilts.

I dislike the idea of buying cartridges-- rather pay more upfront then invest in die cuts and cartridges.

Would like a workhorse machine without the major price of a Roland or Ioline. Of course, those would be my dream machines.

Help need some clarifying info. that I can afford as a newbie.
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SandyMcC
Hi Tamu 8,

Because I am not permitted to self-promote at this forum, I will instead direct you to a comparison chart that one of my "friendly competitors" created. It contains data on all of the cutters you mentioned except the Graphtec 5000 (and you should be able to get equivalent specs for it by googling or asking direct questions here).

Paper Threads Cutter Comparison Chart

If you have specific questions after reviewing this data, please post them.
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A little late posting. I am looking for the same thing. I would like to cut fabric, well more fabric. I have the Gazelle and it does cut fabric well, I have only tested it with the standard blade, but there is another blade available for fabric.

Sandy those pics you posted were awesome, I had seen them somewhere else and lost the link. From my experience with Sandy, I have to say you can expect great customer service, I don't own a Groove or KNK...yet, but she knows a variety of machines and has always been very helpful.

Tamu-like you I need the most bang for the buck. I've only cut 100% cotton fabric adhered to freezer paper, I may try the fannel. If you need a very user friendly software that compatable with the machines listed above, check out Make The Cut. I use it for everything. Rhinestones, screenprinting, packaging, and labeling.
please update with the cutter you decided on
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SandyMcC
You probably saw them on my web site in the Photo Gallery. I set up an album just to show the things that Janie has cut with her Groove-E because the results she gets are amazing.
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If I want to cut fabric that is is like a cotton pillow case or table cloth type of fabric. What are people using as backing? I tried mounting it to a cricut sticky board and just cutting it and that was a disaster :)
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SandyMcC
I have my customers first press their fabric to Heat 'n Bond. Then peel off the backing sheet and put the sticky side of the fabric against the sticky side of the mat (in other words, face up!). That provides a very stable material to cut and using 2 passes and the fabric blade enables them to get very sharp cuts made.

Now, sometimes, my customers do not want Heat 'n Bond applied... that that's fine, too! But I do recommend a stickier mat than normal. So, I recommend using a mat that's had Aleene's Stick It Over and Over applied as the adhesive... VERY thin layer and allow to dry well. It's a lot stickier than other repositionable adhesives and will really hold that fabric tight during cutting, which is what you need. But again, you really need to be using a fabric blade if you want to get sharp corners like, for example, the points on a star.
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