6 Best Fabric Cutting Machine in 2024

There is a high chance that you are still relying on a regular cutter or a scissor for carrying out fabric cutting tasks. While those two might be cheap and more accessible, they do not really enable you to perfect the cutting process.

You might have already realized the limitations of those tools, which is why you came here looking for the best fabric cutting machine, right? Well, you will find exactly what you came here for.

We have invested plenty of hours going through different models and talking with the experts and users. And with the knowledge we have gained, we will make the choosing process feel like a breeze for you.

6 Best Fabric Cutting Machine

Through our extensive research, we have managed to choose the fabric cutters that we believe are the ones that you should consider if you are in the market for one of these. So, without any further wait, let us get into the list of the models that we have picked up for you!

1. Cricut Maker

For the overabundance of options, choosing the best fabric cutting machine can become a tough task for you. However, for brands such as Cricut that are offering units like this, that process becomes a bit more manageable.

This electric rotary fabric cutter is basically an expandable suite of tools. With its scoring tool, pens, powerful rotary cutters, you are basically looking at endless ways of carrying out your die cutting and other fabric-related tasks. You will not find yourself getting stuck while you are handling a project.

You will not even need any backing material to cut fabric with a high amount of precision. Thanks to the gliding and rolling fabric cutting system of this cricut fabric cutter, you should be able to cut fabric for your clothes accurately and quickly.

There will be no need to put too much time on this machine for carrying out different projects. That’s why this adaptive tool system is often cited as the best fabric cutter there is for beginner quilters.

Aside from the gliding and rolling systems, this cloth cutting machine will provide you access to hundreds of different digital sewing projects for beginners. It bundles along with an app, which will offer you access to those. For that reason, carrying out intricate cloth shaping projects will seem like a hassle-free process. The unit offers almost all the functionalities that your favorite Cricut Explore Air unit has.

Alongside that, there are docking slot holds on the machine. That will hold onto your mobile or tablet when you are working with the tool. You would be able to make different quilting shapes and own designs at ease. There is even a USB port on the back. You can keep your device charged while you are working with it.

2. Sizzix Big Shot

One of the main factors that these have to feature to become the best fabric cutting machines is to be highly capable and boast advanced features. And this one that is from Sizzix has managed to nail it in that factor.

Unlike some of the other machines that are in the market, this embossing machine is perfect for both beginners and professionals. Whether you are starting out your fabric cutting adventure or you have been in the game for a long amount of time, you will find the machine working as you wanted it to.

Plus, if you have the best cobbler sewing machine lying around somewhere in your house, you can use this machine to cut the required heavy materials for shoemaking.

Aside from that, this electronic cutting machine is capable of accommodating materials that are up to 6 inches wide. So, no matter how large the clothing you might be working with, you will not have to struggle that much when trying to get this one to work with this die cutting and embossing machine.

Even the platform that this fabric die cutting machine comes with is multi-purpose. The base is quite large in size as well. The sizzix fabric cutter has the perfect amount of surface area to let you work with different fabrics at ease.

Also, the rotary blade that it utilizes to cut fabric is exceptionally sharp. You will not find yourself putting too much force when you are cutting with it.

Alongside that, achieving die-cuts on it should be pretty easy. The pair of cutting pads that it comes with will make it achieve that capability. And the weight of the unit is pretty minimal. It weighs just 7.5 pounds, which means moving it around will be an easy task as well.

3. Silhouette Portrait 3

The brand Silhouette is among the leading ones that are in the market of digital fabric cutting machines. They are well-known fabric cutting tools for offering reliable electronic fabric cutting machines. And this machine that we will take a look at is not an exception in that regard.

To start with, it packs a Bluetooth chip. That chip makes it capable of being connected to mobile devices. For that reason, you can cut fabric using a smart device instead of having to attach a local storage device with it. It works with smartphones, laptops, and other devices.

Aside from the Bluetooth chip, this electric fabric cutter features an Autoblade. Thanks to the bundled software that it comes along with, you will find fifty different designs online. And after you choose one of them, the blade is going to do its job automatically. You would not have to operate it manually all the time to cut fabric.

Alongside that, this die cutting machine has the ability to cut through different kinds of fabrics. Starting from the regular ones to the heat-treated fabrics, you can make all of them work with this one. You can even mix and match and work with different types of materials at once. The software will offer you full control over it.

The overall form factor of the machine is pretty small and compact. For such a form factor, there will be no need to need to sacrifice too much space on your table to cut fabric. It is pretty lightweight as well. So, you can even carry this in your backpack pretty easily.

4. Accuquilt Go Big 55500: Automatic Fabric Cutting Machine

Are you looking for something that has the ability to cut multiple layers of fabrics? Well, look no more! We have managed to find exactly the thing that you were looking for all this time!

First of all, the package that you will receive will contain all of the things that you are going to need to get your cutting tasks started. It comes with a machine, a cutting mat, and flying geese. So, you will not have to go out to get anything extra after getting this package.

The cutting mat that it comes along is 6 inches by 12 inches. That means you should be able to accommodate reasonably large-sized fabrics on top of it. It even bundles along with a book that has free patterns and ideas. That will make it easier for you to start your fabric cutting adventure with different sewing patterns if you are fairly new to this.

This one does not use a regular knife blade. Instead, it relies on a strip cutter. That cutter will offer you the ability to cut through six different layers of fabric at a time. This ability makes this blade more efficient than the rotary cutter that most of the other brands utilize for their machine.

Other than that, it has a fully automated process. You will find yourself rotating any knobs, nor will you have to do anything manually. All you need to do is place the fabrics in place and push the button. It will do all of the required tasks automatically. And once it is done, it is going to push it out from the back.

5. Accuquilt Go Fabric Cutter

Among different types of fabric cutting machines that are out there, the portable ones are something that most prefers to have. Well, a perfect example of a unit such as that would be this one.

One of the main priorities that Accuquilt had when manufacturing this one is to keep the size small. For the revolutionary portable design that it boasts, you will not face any trouble when trying to take it with you to different places. And the small form factor will make it easier for you to accommodate this on tables as well.

Aside from the small form factor, the other thing that the manufacturer has focused on is to make the process faster. Thanks to the unique cutting system that it sports, you can cut through fabrics faster than the other traditional processes. Carrying out a relatively large-scale project will take you a considerably short amount of time.

You are also going to receive all of the things that you might require for starting the project. It bundles along with a cutting mat and dies, along with Mix & Match Block GO!.

As all the necessary items are included in the package, you will not find it necessary to purchase anything extra. You can start working on your project after taking the machine out of the box.

On that note, the included dies will let you properly control the direction of the cutting process. You should be able to make accurate cuts using them. And the rotary blade of the unit is pretty easy to control as well. There will be no need to put too much force into operating it.

6. Brother ScanNCut SDX125E

On the lookout for a cutting machine for fabric that will enable you to scan an actual piece of paper and then convert it into cut files? Well, look no more because Brother has got the thing that you were probably searching for all this time!

As we have mentioned, this cutting machine for fabric boasts a scanner. The scanner will enable you to scan your drawing and then convert them into something that you can cut on fabrics. And the precision of the scanner is reasonably high too. It can detect all of the details and print them exactly on the fabrics.

Aside from the built-in scanner, it is packed with 682 built-in designs. You will also find 100 quilting patterns along with nine different fonts. There is an option to add custom designs as well. That means you are going to have full freedom over the designs that your fabric cuts are going to have.

Operating this ultimate fabric cutting system is a breeze as well. There is a large display on the front. It is 5 inches in size and is touch compatible. For that reason, navigating through different functions and different built-in designs that it has will be an easy task for you. Also, it is capable of cutting materials that are up to three inches thick. So, it’ll go perfectly with your thick fabric sewing machine.

Other than that, manually selecting the type of fabric that you are working with will not be necessary for this one. It has a ScaNcut Dx auto blade that automatically detects the type of fabric. Because of the blade sensor technology, you will not even have to control the blade manually in these manual fabric cutting machines.

Qualities of a Fabric Cutting Machine You Shouldn’t Compromise With

Before you jump into making a purchase decision, there are a couple of things that you should consider. By considering those points, your chance at getting something that is actually worth the money will be considerably high. That being said, the points that you should factor in are as follows

Size

Firstly, you should consider the size of the machine. Just like any of the other textile tools, you will find these in different sizes. Some will be regular in size, some will be relatively large, while some will be exceptionally compact and small. For this, you should check the space of your workbench.

If you notice that your workbench does not have that much room to spare, then you would have to shoot for the ones that are small and compact in size. On the other hand, if there is an adequate amount of space on the table, you can go for either of the regular or large-sized ones.

If you’ll be using the cut part for a t shirt printing machine, then choose the size according to your cut part.

However, there is another thing that you must factor in when you are considering the size. That is the portability. If you are the type of crafter who likes to take their tools to different places, you need to pick the small and compact ones. Those will be easier to carry. And they will require less amount of space in your backpack.

Therefore, if your artistic mind requires you to play with the best heat transfer paper in distant locations, you should definitely be mindful of this attribute.

Portability

Aside from the size, weight plays an important factor in terms of the portability of a fabric shape cutter. No matter how small the machine might be, if it is reasonably chunky, then carrying it will be a big issue for you. And you will find it difficult to handle it around for cutting fabric as well.

Considering both of the factors, if you were looking for something that will be pretty easy to carry for your quilting projects, then you should pick up the ones that are light in weight. Alongside being easier to carry, those will be pretty easy to maneuver around as well. You will not find it that hard to move them around from one place to another.

Included Stuffs

The fabric die cutter alone is not enough for carrying out all of the cutting tasks that you might want to do in your project. You are going to need some extra accessories as well. And getting them separately is not only a hassle but also a cost-ineffective approach.

For that reason, we would highly suggest picking up the ones that come with all of the accessories included. That means the ones that come with a die and a mat are the ones that we are suggesting you to pick up. With those, you can get to cutting your project after unpacking the box. There will be no need to get anything extra like the best French curve ruler set.

Blade

One of the important components of these machines is the blade. And the first thing that you need to consider for this is the sharpness. There are machines out there that are capable of cutting through multiple layers of clothing. Those are the ones that you should pick if you are working with a large-scale batch.

Alongside being able to cut through multiple layers of heavy material, carrying out different fabric cutting tasks with those will be easier. You would be able to finish off most of those tasks in a short amount of time.

On the other hand, you should consider the operational style of the blade. Some of the devices will be manual and will utilize rotary cutters (consisting of the octagonal blade). These offer a high level of control but are not that ideal for beginners. If you are just getting started, we would suggest picking up the automatic ones. Those will be easier to operate.

How Efficient the Device Is for Fabrics

You might not know it, but most of these machines that you will find in the market are for cutting papers. Yes, they are designed to cut and shape papers. If you happen to get your hands on one of them, chances are you will struggle a lot to get a proper cut on the project that you are handling.

Considering that, you need to make sure that the one you are picking up is actually for fabrics. There are many out there that are not only ideal for the papers but also for clothing. Also, do consider the type of fabric that the device is for. You will not be able to get a proper cut if you work with something that the device is not for. The machines we have discussed are compatible with all types of heavy-duty fabrics that are used in an outdoor gear sewing machine or a tactical gear sewing machine.

Extra Features

Some of these devices will have some extra features. For example, the one from Brother that we looked at earlier has a built-in scanner. That will enable you to scan drawings and save them into a digital cut file. With that, you can get the exact cuts that you wanted on the cloth that you are handling.

Aside from the scanner, some will have an automatic sensor. That sensor will allow the device to automatically detect what type of cloth you are working with, which will adjust the blade adequately. You will want to pick those up if you do not want to go through the hassle of manually adjusting the blade. In truth, manual fabric cutting machine is mainly suitable for advanced crafters.

Cutting Precision

Another thing that will not be the same for each of the products that you will find in the market is precision. And this is something that you will not want to skimp on one bit. Getting inconsistent cuts can ruin your entire project, which you would not want, would you?

As precision is something quite vital for cutting clothing, we would recommend you to check the cutting precision of the blades. The devices that have a higher precision will most likely offer you clean cuts. And clean cuts go a long way to make your project turn out the way you wanted it to look.

Durability

The last thing that you have to consider when you are on the market for one of these is durability. As you are most likely to use one of these extensively for working with different types of projects, you need to pick the heavy duty ones that are of high-quality materials. Those will have a higher level of durability.

And the ones that are exceptionally durable will have a longer lifespan. You should be able to get extensive use out of the heavy duty units, and they will not show any sort of issues from time to time.

Types of Fabric Cutting Machines

One common thing that most of the textile tools have is variety. For this particular tool, there are two of them. And even though you can make different classifications by considering the size and the form factor, what we are mainly focusing on is the operational procedure. With that out of the way, the two types are:

Electronic

As you might have guessed, these are fully automatic. Instead of manual levers, these digital fabric cutter units rely on the power of the motor to move the blade and make cuts. These do not require any dies. And the way that an electronic fabric cutter works is it makes cuts on each of the curves and lines. It does that when the fabric is moving through the machine.

The die is replaced with a digital design. It has a controller inside that will take the information from the design. And from the information that it receives, it will make the cuts on the workpiece. Because of that, you will have full control over the cutting shapes and sizes. Unlike the straight knife cutting machines found in the industries, these are quite safe as well. Also, these are often regarded as the best fabric cutters by crafting enthusiasts and professional quilters.

Many electronic devices will also offer you the option to customize the shapes for your custom patterns beforehand. Also, as these are pretty easy to operate, they are mainly geared towards beginners. However, you can take full advantage of the customizability feature if you are fairly experienced with these devices.

Manual

Unlike electronic fabric cutting machines, these do not do anything automatically. You need to operate it manually. Thus, maintaining uniform pressure is a challenge. These typically have a handle. And you can get the cuts that you were looking for by rotating the handle. The blade that these are going to utilize will be manual types instead of the slicing ones.

Aside from that, these are going to utilize a die for shaping the cuts for your sewing machine. You will also need cutting mats or cutting pad for placing the workpiece on. As you have full control over the cutting task, you can get a good amount of precision from these. Each of the cuts will be on your hands. For one-time home projects that may require much trial and error, for example making an Ellen Griswold keyhole blouse, you can give these ones a try.

Alongside that, these machines do not have that many moving parts. As a result, this durable machine type tends to last longer than the electronic counterparts and provides precision cuts as well. Also, you do not have to worry about having a power source.

However, to performs precise cuts of intricate patterns for your sewing machines, you need electric fabric cutting machines. That’s why Cricut machines are so popular.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fabric cutting machine?

From our research, we found that the Cricut Maker offers the best overall performance. It comes with an expandable suite of tools. The blades that it packs are powerful, and the scoring tool comes included as well.

It even offers you access to a countless number of designs. And you will have the option to customize the cuts too. It is great for beginners that are just starting their fabric cutting adventure, and the pros can also take full advantage of the customizability option that it has to offer.

Is there a machine that cuts fabric?

You might not know it, but there is a dedicated machine that is for cutting fabrics. Can you wonder what they are called? Fabric cutting machines! And you will find two types of these in the market. One will be manual, while the other one is going to be fully automatic.

While the automatic one is quite convenient and does most of the job for you, you get more control with the manual one.

What’s better, sizzix or Cricut?

It depends on the type that you are mainly looking for. As you know, there are two different types of these devices. One is electronic, and the other one is manual. As we have described in our article, the manual one has a handle that you will have to rotate to power the cutting action.

On the other hand, the electronic one is fully automatic. It will use electricity for carrying out the cutting tasks. Nevertheless, if you were looking for a better electronic version, you should stick with Cricut. However, if you needed a manual version, you should look at the offerings of sizzix.

Is Accuquilt go worth the money?

One of the leading fabric cutting device manufacturers that are in the market is Accuquilt. And their GO version has been among the top picks. In fact, they stay on the top five best-selling cutting devices in the market. And that is something that is not that easy to achieve.

They have achieved that position by offering highly reliable and well-performing devices. And considering all of the factors, we think that it is safe to suggest that they are worth the money.

Do electronic fabric cutting devices require a die?

Unlike the manual ones, the electronic version of these does not require a die. Instead of a die, the device relies on electronic signals. And using that information, the blade cuts the workpiece into different shapes and designs.

Are manual fabric cutters worth it?

One of the manual versions’ selling points is that they offer a maximum amount of control, which is pretty accurate. You will have full control over the cutting action. As a result, the cuts are going to be pretty accurate. So, we would state that they are pretty much worth it.

What should be the width of the workpiece for cutting it in a fabric cutter?

This is something that will differ from one device to another. While some are capable of holding the workpieces that are up to 6 inches wide and more, some can only take about 4 to 5 inches. So, you need to check the room of the blade first and then select the workpiece accordingly.

Final Words

Getting the best fabric cutting machine might have seemed like finding a need in a haystack for you before, but we hope that we could make the process of choosing one a bit more manageable for you.

With that being said, if you want us to recommend you one, we would suggest picking up the Cricut Maker. It is good for beginners and professionals can also take full advantage of the features. Also, Sizzix Big Shot is a great pick. That allows you to make big-sized cuts.

REFERENCES

1. Garment Manufacturing Technology
2. The Technology of Clothing Manufacture