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Best fabric cutting machine review

Angie Renner
Published by 
Angie Renner
Last updated: 
December 16, 2023

A fabric cutting machine is safer and easier to use than rotary cutters. We selected and reviewed six of the best fabric cutting machine we could find and put together a detailed shopping guide to help you find the perfect fabric cutting machine for all your DIY projects.

Rotary cutters are fine for simple DIY projects, but you can get neater results and prevent accidents by investing in a fabric cutting machine.

Digital machines and manual die cutting machines allow you to cut fabric at a faster pace and will open up new possibilities for your DIY projects. We have reviewed some of the best fabric cutting machines money can buy to help you find the right one.

How We Chose Our Ratings

We have selected and reviewed fabric cutting machines according to five criteria:

  • Ease of use. We selected machines that are easy to set up and operate. For digital machines, we looked at whether or not you can easily find more designs or create your patterns.
  • Versatility. You will get more use out of your new fabric cutting machine if you can use it to cut different types of fabrics as well as other materials like paper, cardstock, or balsa.
  • Dies. We looked at the number of dies included with each machine. We gave higher ratings to the machines compatible with a wide range of dies sold separately.
  • Cutting power. A performing machine will last longer since there will be less wear and tear. Ideally, you should be able to cut through several layers of fabric at once to save time.
  • Sturdy design. A good fabric cutting machine shouldn’t take up too much space while having a sturdy base to provide safety and durability.

Best Fabric Cutting Machine Comparison Table

These are the six best fabric cutting machines we were able to find. We tried to include a mixture of manual die cutting models and digital machines to give you more options to choose from.

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Best Fabric Cutting Machine Reviews

1. Sizzix 660425 Big Shot Cutting/Embossing Machine

We liked this machine because you can use it with a wide range of materials, including paper, fabric, cardstock, felt, foam, leather, and even craft metal. The machine looks easy to use and comes with an extended multipurpose platform to help you prepare the material you want to cut.

The machine is compact and portable. It measures 14 1/4x12 3/8x6 5/8.” The compact design might be limiting if you want to cut large pieces of paper or fabric but is a plus if you have limited storage space.

It comes with two cutting pads. They both measure 6 1/8x 8 7/8.” These dimensions make the machine ideal for scrapbooking projects, quilting, and other small DIY projects.

We recommend this product because Sizzix offers a huge selection of dies compatible with this machine, and shoppers say this fabric cutting machine is compatible with standard dies made by other brands.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

3. Brother CM350 ScanNCut 2 Home & Hobby Cutting Machine

Brother CM350  machine has a built-in LCD screen to help you select cutting settings and operate the machine. 

 

ScanNCut 

 

 

 

Cricut is a digital fabric cutting machine. You can use it to cut other materials such as paper, vinyl, leather, and even balsa. 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Silhouette CAMEO 4 Wireless Cutting Machine

, cardstock, , and .

Bluetooth technology 

 

 

AutoBlade 

This is an interesting machine because of the design software and accessories included, but shoppers say that there is a steep learning curve for making unique patterns with the software.

fabric cutting machine 

handle 

 

 

What To Look For When Comparing Fabric Cutting Machines

 

A larger design means you will need more space for storing your fabric cutting machine. On the other hand, a smaller machine will be more portable and easier to store. 

quilting squares 

 

Most fabric cutting machines allow you to cut , and other thin fabrics. You can use any fabric cutting machine to cut paper once you adjust the blade. 

, thin plastic sheets, denim, felt, corduroy, and more. 

 

 

 

 

 

have to 

 

If you want all the benefits of a manual machine without having to operate a lever to cut fabric. Then  getting an electric model. An electric cutting machine works just like a manual one. Except that it uses electrical power to cut fabric or paper.

If you are thinking about getting a manual fabric cutting machine, take the time to look at the dies included with the machine. Most  come with a few dies so you can create different  and work with different sizes.

at the momentHoweverAlternatively, you can shop for a machine that is compatible with standard die sizes. You will be able to use it with dies you already own, or 

 aren’t a big issue if you want to use your machine to make simple shapes such as quilting squares and triangles, but having more dies to choose from can be interesting if you want to get creative.