AccuQuilt: Back to Basics, Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of our Back to Basics blog series! Part 1 covered the basics on how the GO! Fabric Cutting System works. 

For Part 2, we’re going to dig a little deeper into the system with a look at GO! Strip Cutter Dies and the GO! Qube System. Together, these are essential for quilters to get the most out of their GO! cutter.

Sizing up the System

Oftentimes, when we talk about the size of pieces cut by GO! Dies, you’ll see two different numbers: cut and finished. Cut size refers to the size that the piece is when first cut, while finished refers to the size once it’s sewn into a project/block/unit, since the standard quilting seam allowance of 1/4” is built into each strip and piecing die.

For example, you’ll see these sizes in GO! product names, like the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2” (2” Finished) 3 Strips Die and the GO! Square-2 1/2” (2” Finished) Die. You can find this information on each die package, including the GO! Qubes.

GO! Strip Cutters

These dies are essential multi-taskers that are among our most popular dies, so let’s look at what makes them so important. AccuQuilt has 18 different strip dies available to choose from, but by far, the most popular is the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2” (2” Finished) Die. Why?

• Great standard size for making binding
• Matches pre-cut sizes
• Works for borders and sashing
• Useful way to cut down scraps or fabric left over from projects

GO! Strip Cutter Dies only have lengthwise blades on them, and are screenprinted with angled guidelines to help you get the most from your die. Just like all GO! Dies, they will cut up to six layers of 100% quilting cotton, cutting width of fabric (WOF) strips quickly and perfectly. In fact, you can cut an entire queen quilt size binding in just one pass through the cutter.

Amazing, right? But there’s more! Since strip dies do not have any blades running crosswise on the die board, you can place fabric any direction on the die, allowing you to cut continuous borders, squares, and diamonds. For speedy 4-patch and 9-patch blocks, you can cut strips, sew them together, place them crosswise on the die and re-cut! Check out this video to see the strip die in action:

In fact, you can even cut bias binding on a strip die! Here’s a video showing just how easy it is:

Strip dies range in cut size from 1” to 6 1/2”. There’s no need to worry about cutting perfect strips anymore!

GO! Qube Mix & Match Blocks

GO! Qubes are building blocks for quilters! Each GO! Qube Mix & Match Block features eight shapes - all designed to work together to create over 72 different quilt blocks - and come in seven different finished block sizes: 4”, 5”, 6”, 8”, 9”, 10”, and 12”. Even better, each size comes in its own sleek storage box and includes free patterns and a cutting mat! Now, that’s multi-tasking at its finest!

To expand your creative options even further, there’s the GO! Qube Companion Sets, Corners and Angles. Each Companion Set holds four dies, a cutting mat and patterns, and it's designed to work alongside their GO! Qube Mix & Match Block partner of the same size.

Even better, each GO! Qube Companion Set adds 72 additional quilt blocks that you can create. Remember, each shape will include the standard 1/4" seam allowance and shapes, such as half-square triangles, will have the dog-ears already removed on the corners to save you even more time. This class, hosted by AccuQuilt Cutting Expert Pam Heller, shares all the ins and outs of the GO! Qube Mix & Match System:

Resources Every Quilter Needs

Whether you’re a brand-new quilter or a seasoned veteran, new to the GO! System or an expert with the GO! Cutter, here are some great resources to give you a hand:

• GO! Qube Mix & Match Blocks and Quilts Pattern Book by Eleanor Burns: This book is, simply put, the best road map you can find to getting started with the GO! Qube Mix & Match Blocks and die cutting in general.
• GO! Outside the Box Pattern Book by Eleanor Burns: This book adds the GO! Qube Companion Sets' shapes to your quilting party in fun and creative ways, including beautiful borders to set off your creations.
• GO! Qube Mix & Match Block System Pattern Book: This book offers a fresh, modern take on the classic format for sampler quilts using the entire GO! Qube System.
• GO! Mix & Match 216 Quilt Blocks Pattern Booklet: This free download is an essential! It shows all the GO! Qube shapes, sizes and all 216 blocks that you can create with them.

Are you more of a visual learner? AccuQuilt offers free, virtual events each and every Tuesday and Wednesday at 12 noon CT. You can see a full list of upcoming events and register for them on the Events Page. These events can also be watched after the event on Facebook and YouTube.

Want hands-on classes? Be sure to check the Store Locator (pictured and circled above) to find an AccuQuilt retailer near you. These local quilt shops often offer classes and clubs designed for GO! users like you.

Can I Only Make GO! Patterns?

No. In fact, you’re only limited by your own creativity with GO! Dies. AccuQuilt offers thousands of free patterns, all written specifically for die cutting. You’ll also find GO! Quilt, a free design tool to help you imagine those patterns in different colors and fabrics.

As your GO! skills grow, you’re sure to look at every quilt and pattern you see and think, "Is there a die for that?" To find out more about translating patterns into GO! Dies, be sure to check out my blog post about it!

Stay Tuned!

The third and final installment of our Back to Basics blog series will be about GO! Block on Board (BOB) dies and working with GO! Applique Dies! If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to our blog, so you're notified whenever a new post goes live - it's another way we help you cut time, so you can quilt more!