Best Fabric Cutting Machines

Purchasing a fabric cutting machine may seem unnecessary or frivolous to some sewists, but to be honest, it’s something you will get great use out of if you do buy one. Fabric machines are increasing in popularity as technologies and features continue to improve. Sewists can choose from a range of makes and models depending upon their budget and cutting needs.

Best Fabric Cutting Machines

Compared to scissors or rotary cutters, there are many advantages to using a fabric cutting machine:

  • Safety
  • Precision
  • Speed
  • Easier on hands/wrists

Fabric cutting machines come as either manual or digital/electronic models. Both types have associated advantages and disadvantages, making it so you need to weigh the pros and cons of each before purchasing. 

  • Manual machines are typically less expensive to purchase and more portable but have more limited functionality.
  • Digital models are more expensive and require a power source, but they have a more comprehensive range of capabilities.

We’ve compiled the following list, giving you an overview of what we consider the best fabric cutting machines – a combination of manual and digital options, with a range of features. If you’re looking to add one to your sewing room, any of the ones listed below would be a great choice!

Cricut Maker

Designed for home crafters, Cricut offers a range of tools to make do-it-yourself projects beautiful, fun, and easy. The first machine available for sale cut letters, shapes, and phrases – geared towards scrapbookers and vinyl crafts. Over time their automated cutters have branched out to cut into the world of fabrics, leather, and other materials.

Known as the ultimate in cutting machines, the Cricut maker is of the most popular fabric cutting units with crafters, offering more features than the Explore Air 2. Commercial grade technology controls cut pressure, offering up to ten times the cutting power of competitors, which allows you the freedom to craft with everything from vinyl decals, cotton fabrics, leather, iron-on transfers, a plethora of paper types, to balsa wood. A quick-release button lets you effortlessly switch between the powerful blades, scoring tool, and pens to change DIY gears without missing a beat.

The Cricut Maker comes with a rotary blade to quickly and accurately cut through any fabric without the need for backing material. With the broadest range of tools available for cutting, scoring, writing, and adding decorative effects, you can expand your creative suite as you learn and perfect each new craft. Access hundreds of patterns and projects from the digital sewing library or upload your own images and fonts.

AccuQuilt GO!

AccuQuilt offers its users a range of fabric cutting machines to choose from, ranging from their simplified, GO! Me model to their large format, Studio 2, and GO! Big electric models. Their state-of-the-art machines reduce cutting time by up to 90% and reduce hand fatigue to deliver accurate cuts.

Their mid-range GO! model is a manual fabric cutter, offering an outstanding balance of convenience and features for the price. The AccuQuilt GO! folds up for easy storage and portability, looking like an ultramodern typewriter with a carry handle on the top. Weighing only 15 pounds, it’s ready to take on the road to classes or sewing retreats. Simply unfold the machine flat, and cut fabrics using the rotary handle on the side.

The AccuQuilt GO! is compatible with over 200 GO! piecing and applique dies (except the dies specifically designed for the GO! Big model) available for purchase. To accommodate both right and left-handed users, the rotary handle turns easily in both directions and is powerful enough to cut through six layers of fabric at once. It cuts through a wide variety of materials including cotton, batiks, wool, flannel, fleece, denim, leather, batting, felt, silk, and satin. 

Cricut Explore Air 2

Another popular cutting machine in the Cricut family is the Explore Air 2, a digital, wireless model that offers some of the most advanced features on the market. Compatible with more than 100 types of materials, it provides wireless cutting or scoring, and cutting simultaneously on materials up to twelve inches wide. Upload your own images and fonts (in various file formats) for free or wirelessly connect to your computer or mobile phone to use their Design Space software.  

The Explore Air 2 works with all Cricut cartridges and features a double tool holder to keep your blade and pen close at hand. Cut twice as fast with the handy Fast Mode when you’re under a time crunch; Precision Mode cuts the most intricate designs flawlessly. With the iOS app, download images or projects to use offline.

Silhouette CAMEO 3

One of the most popular fabric cutters by Silhouette, the CAMEO 3 closely rivals the functionality of the Explore Air 2 by Cricut. Cutting over 100 different types of materials, the CAMEO 3 has a maximum cut dimension of 12-inches wide by 120-inches longer – far surpassing the Explore Air 2’s 12″ by 24”- and can cut materials up to 2mm thick. Users note the Silhouette Studio software to be much easier to use, offering more intricate design capabilities than Cricut’s. A touch screen with sound notifications makes creating new designs or navigating through the software a breeze. 

The dual carriage allows you to use two tools at once, and the CAMEO 3 is compatible with Silhouette’s AutoBlade, a self-adjusting blade. Connect to the machine using your tablet, smartphone, or computer using its Bluetooth wireless connection or USB port. Or you can opt to save designs from your computer’s software to a USB drive for fabric cutting while offline. 

Sizzix Big Shot

Rounding out this list is the second manual fabric cutting machine — the Sizzix Big Shot, an ideal crafting tool for both beginners and experts alike. A 6-inch wide opening allows the user to cut and emboss a variety of different materials. Solid steel rollers and gears will enable you to slice through fabrics, including leather, easily and precisely, with a turn of the ergonomic rotary handle.

Unlike the AccuQuilt GO!, the Sizzix Big Shot does not fold up, making it slightly less portable. Weighing in at only 7.5 pounds, it’s easy enough to move around, even if it isn’t as compact. The larger sides do, however, create a sturdy platform for working. Equipped with a lower price tag, the Big Shot is an excellent option for someone looking for a low-maintenance, simple fabric cutting machine. 

About Amanda S.: Growing up, I was fascinated by watching my mom and grandma turn fabric into beautiful handcrafted items. In my early 20’s, I finally got brave, buying a sewing machine and teaching myself to sew. As I fell in love with sewing, my machine collection expanded, and I ran an Etsy shop sewing children’s clothing for a few years. As a single mom of 3 great kids, my sewing time has lessened, but I still try to find time to work on quilts, bags, and projects with my kids, teaching them what I love.