Silhouette Portrait machine

[connie leone]

I'm considering purchasing the "Portrait" model as I am primary a card maker and feel that this would suit my needs. Even if I need to cut images for a scrapbook page I think that this should still work. My question is, I would like to purchase some of the treat bags and or boxes files. Will I be able to cut these with the portrait model or do I need the Cameo?

I would appreciate any and all feedback, pros/cons on this machine.


Thanks for your help & happy crafting!

[cat_woman]

It depends how big you want to cut them. You would be able to use the file, but you would need to resize it to fit the canvas size for the Portrait. If you want to make it bigger, you could split the design and add a tab where you could glue two pieces together along a fold to make a seam. I've even used 12x12 lace designs on my Craft Robo before (its the original cutting machine and the same size as the Portrait). I cut the left side first at 7x12, and then the right side 7x12. Lay them with the middle inch overlapping and then use a rotary cutter and my quilting ruler to cut through both layers in the overlapped area (making sure the final width will be 12"). This way the cut edge lines up perfectly and virtually invisible. Its a trick I learned laying vinyl flooring...

[HeatherHolbrook]

I have the Portrait and mostly make cards and I love mine. You can cut any length you want with it, like for long vinyl words but the width is obviously what can't change. I've done a few smaller shaped boxes and didn't have any issues with size. I've never really found the need for the larger size myself.

[jukie]

YOu would need to reduce the sizes to get it to cut in full without doing it in two parts, but Cat_Woman gave you a work around for that.

I am not a scrapbooker, and I was going in the direction of the portrait but I changed my mind at the last minute and went with the cameo, and I have not regretted it for one second, I have found myself doing 3D projects which I never even considered when I was looking initially.

I think now, if I had gone with the portrait I would have regretted it, but you need to look at your own situation and decide financially and the way you craft which would work for you.