My favourite cutting machine so far
If you only buy one die cutting machine, make it this one
Whether you’re new to paper crafting and wondering which to pick, have a restricted budget, or want to declutter your craft supplies and stick to just one machine, what is the best value for money and versatile die cutting machine? Read on and find out why I chose this one. I will also tell you why it may not be for you if your requirements are different to mine.
Confession time: I own 5 die cutting machines; I actually used to own even more (massive hoarder-alarm-bells, I know!) but gifted a couple I didn’t use as often to family and friends that were starting out with paper crafting. Each of my machines has its own advantages and I use them in different settings – I cover this in my other article – but if I was starting out now and/or was only in the market for one, the Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway is an easy first choice.
Here’s why it’s so great:
Sizzix is the original die cutting machine brand and the quality and reliability of their products is simply unbeatable. The Foldaway is the compact but every inch as powerful as their famous first model, the Big Shot.
It’s usually a cheaper alternative to the Spellbinders Platinum 6 machine (who shares many of these features) and particularly the starter kit bundle option is great value for money
The pressure for cutting and embossing is phenomenal and well balanced across the width of the platform so for most dies you won’t need any extra shims and it will do the job perfectly with just one pass of the machine– trust me, this is more important than it may sound!
The instructions on which combination of pads to use for different dies and for embossing are usefully printed in the base plate for ease of reference (I don’t know about you but I can never find the instruction booklets when I need them!)
Replacement pads, which all machines eventually require to be replaced, are easily available and there are also cheaper unbranded alternatives around
There are some very cool optional mats you can get for it to emboss without embossing folders (amaaaazing!) and to cut very intricate dies with just one pass of the machine – check out the supply list at the bottom of the article for these
It’s very compact so takes up little room (the handle even tucks away when not in use!) and can be stored away easily
Thanks to its clever design the in-built handle at the top makes it very easy to carry – this will come in handy particularly if you don’t have a dedicated craft room and need to store it away and carry it backwards and forwards from a cupboard to your crafting surface (mine is often the dining room table!)
It’s extremely well built and robust so you can put it through its paces without any worries
It’s super versatile since it handles all types of cutting dies and embossing folders on the market, from wafer thin to steel-rule dies, from traditional to 3D embossing folders (the only restriction is the width size – check out the cons section further down)
It’s got built-in storage for your essential die cutting accessories so everything is at hand; this will also come in handy if you’re planning on taking it with you on your next holiday
It’s from a very well established and trusted brand who pioneered the technology many years ago and continue to adhere to the highest quality standards
However, there are some limitations to it so you should consider if these make a difference to you.
You will only be able to use cutting dies and embossing folders that fit the width of the machine, i.e. 6 inches wide. (the length is not really a problem as you can get extender pads or use some cool tricks to cut longer dies – I will cover how to do this in a future post)
The same size limitations apply to the material you are cutting (paper, cardstock, fabric, …) – you won’t be able to fit anything wider than the machine opening (but again, no limitation on the length you can put through)
This is a manually operated machine so if you suffer with arthritis or other dexterity problems and intend on using it a lot, it may not be the best option
If any of these things put you off, check out my other post where you can find an easy guide of the key features of all the major die cutting machines on the market and can pick the best one for your needs.
Optional accessories to make the best out of your Sizzix Foldaway
Accessories for Foldaway
Universal accessories for die cutting