Machine for cutting out felt letters - die cutter? Please help :)

[KatharineClifton]

I'm after buying a machine to cut out felt letters - I'm not so great cutting them by hand.

I'm bewildered by what is available. What do you all have?

It doesn't have to be the cheapest - but economical is good when factoring in cost of extras. From looking, it seems you don't just programme them with what you want but use plates and cutters - is this right?

Any advice will be gratefully received, thank you.

Looks like the big shot machine is good as it takes all brand die's - is this right?

I've been sort of considering one of these for ages, more for cutting paper but also felt etc.

What has always put me off is that I can't design my own templates but have to buy them from the manufacturer, but I think this has changed with the newer models that are linked to pc (rather than using dies/cartridges etc).

Will be watching this thread with interest!

Ah, that's what I want to do as well.

Haven't seen one where I can design my own yet I don't think tho :/

The Silhouette Cameo was the one I was looking at. There are apparently lots of free and easily available templates online, which makes me think that if you had the right software you'd be able to make your own. Don't know if that's right though.

I'd love something like that though, as I'm about to start on my yearly mass-production of window snowflakes :o

That one does look lovely! Little bit of saving needed methinks :)

No crafters on here with die cutters they are keen to recommend? Or criticise for that matter?

Thank you Laura - you are defo the person to know the ins and outs of these machines then!

How about the Silhouette Portrait?

I have the Cameo I love it as you don't need to buy dies you just download fonts & off you go.

I'm very close to ordering the Portrait - its £100 cheaper and the only difference is size I think - is that right?

Now just gotta get up to £150 in my paypal account! sells all the things

The portrait wasn't out when I got mine or I'd have got that