Cutting Fabric with the Big Kick by Sizzix

Reported by Donna Lannerd

Okay, I finally broke down and purchased a die-cut gadget. I swore this would never happen (but I swore that about paper-crafting as well). I mean it would just give me more excuses to buy more paper. Then I read on the Ellison company's website that their die-cutters including Sizzix cut fabric. "Wow", I thought. I could really use one that does that, really, I could. So for several months I sat on this idea and contemplated whether or not to purchase one and then I got one of those retailer's 50% off coupons, so I finally took the plunge.

What I found is that it does work for fabric for the regular Sizzix dies but not the thinner dies such as the Sizzlets. For me I found that felt cuts really well. I actually was able to cut 2 layers of acrylic felt although when the felt was a little thicker it was more comfortable to cut just one layer. I was just a little scared as the tension became harder rolling the die through the machine with the 2 layers of thicker felt.

I also tried cutting cotton fabric applied to paper-backed fusible web, fleece and denim which are shown in the photo below. These all cut just fine. I was a little concerned with the fusible web but the Heat and Bond Lite cut just fine and didn't seem to leave any residue on the die which was my biggest fear. Some fusible webs may leave a residue but if you completely cool it this should reduce the risk. I've never had it stick to scissors unless the web was still warm. Fleece cut more smoothly than the felt did. Denim also easily cut very smoothly. If you have a thin fabric you can iron on freezer paper to one side of the fabric to make it more stable. Freezer paper simply peels off when you are ready to use your shape.


Overall, I was very satisfied with the results. I am disappointed that I couldn't use the thinner dies even for the thinnest cotton. As you can see below I was able to complete a small penny rug using my circle die. It was great to have all the same size circles that I didn't have to cut out each one by hand and hope they were all the same. It was definitely speedier and now I have an excuse to not only have fabric embellishments quicker but I can buy more of that paper!

Sizing up the Sizzix BIGkick

Reported by Lexi Daly

Although I am mainly a simple stamper, I have come to realize that I'm also a tool junkie! I'm such a sucker for the "enabling" posts and articles here and there about this tool or that, accompanied by beautiful samples and details of what it can do for you. (That's how I ended up here!) I may not always buy it the day it comes out or even the same month, but eventually I do.

So that's exactly what happened when the original Sizzix (featured in Heidi's recent article) was introduced. I immediately started collecting dies--shapes, frames, and tags at first, and then the dolls and their clothes, both sizes! Not only did I use it on cards and invitations, but with two daughters, it quickly became a fun art activity that we'd spend hours doing together. It's such a great way to play paper dolls!

By the time die cutting machines decided to change to the rolling style we see now, I had a large collection of original Sizzix dies, plus quite a few Sizzlits, the skinny dies. Again, I watched and waited, read a few enabling posts and by the time I decided to "roll the die," Sizzix came out with the BIGkick. The Cuttlebug looked cute and the Big Shot was also by Ellison, but for me, it really all came down to brand loyalty and adding to my "Sizzix" collection. The few other criteria were really less important, but here they are. I had enough room on my counter and I liked that the BIGkick doesn't have fold down parts and is quite heavy. Since my kids use it too, I thought having less moving parts would be less for them to break. Plus I really liked the white and red color scheme.

Not having used the other options, I really can't compare the BIGkick to them specifically. But I can say that it does what all of the other machines are reported to do and works with other brand dies, too. My girls and I use it for our paper doll fun and I continue to use it with my original die collection. I have continued to add Sizzix dies and Texturz plates to my collection, as well as several Cuttlebug dies and embossing folders and most recently, Spellbinders Nestabilities. No matter what die cutting machine you choose, you just have to choose one--it really is a must-have tool!