Die cutting fabric?
 

I've heard that you can cut fabric with dies in a Cuttlebug, but I have a hard time getting a clean cut. Do you have to iron on some kind of fabric stiffener or something? Thanks for your help!!!

I've only cut fabric with my Big Shot a couple of times but I didn't do anything special to my fabric before cutting. I haven't tried it with a Cuttlebug.

I do the top note die with fabric in the Cuttle bug...Did I post that pic in my gallery...I can't remember! If you starch it really well I bet that would help.

eta: I found it! It went through the piece work, warm and natural batting and the backing like a hot knife through butter!
Attachment 194177

I do felt thru CB with no problem, maybe an extra shim or sheet of paper would help get a clean cut.

Since I usually die cut fabric to stick on a card, I run it through my Xyron machine first so that I have that backing for a stabilizer.

A sheet of scrap paper under your fabric usually fixes any issues. HTH!

I use a piece of cardstock under my die (as a shim) and have done hundreds of cuts with mine.

Thanks for the replies!!! I tried the cardstock trick and it worked perfectly!!! Thank you so much for saving me from so much frustration!!

Does this work with Nestabilities and card stock behind?

Has anyone tried iron-on interfacing to back the fabric?

i'd like to know about the nesties too

I bought the birds die from Spellbinders and although I love the design once cut, I've had a devil of a time with the largest bird actually cutting through. It does cut paper alright, but my sole purpose with this die was to use with fabric and felt. Oddly enough, the smallest, more detailed bird cuts perfectly - everytime. The large one merely imprints the felt so I need to cut it out virtually every time.
I am using paper under the felt when cutting and have increased my shims as well. I'm afraid to do more as my little CB starts resisting-lol.
When I touch the actual die, I can feel a dullness with the large bird, yet teh other 2 feel sharp. Therein lies the rub, I think.
I'll email my LSS owner and speak to her about it. Because I had purchased it more than a month earlier, I was told they weren't able to exchange. I doubt I'll have a problem, I just haven't written her yet.
My LSS know me as the unluckiest crafter-lol. It seems if there's a problem with any product, it falls in my hands. I guess I missed my calling : quality control ;)
Thanks for starting this thread!

Heather

Very pretty! Love the quilted look you've done here :)

Heather

I just started using my Big Shot to cut fabric, and I have found that a piece below the fabric and above it also, helps to get a better cut, although I sometimes have to snip the odd thread or two. As I save excess paper ( leftover coupons from stores or misprints) from my printer, I always have a supply to use for things like this.

I just cut a very thin silk satin fabric last night with Nesties. I used copy paper on both sides and not even a single thread was uncut. I have never had a problem with felt using any die and no paper under. I have quickutz, Sizzlets, PTI and of course, Nesties. Oh and I used a Cuttlebug.

I just re-read my post, and I should have said " a piece OF PAPER" below and above the fabric. Sorry.

I've only used cotton on my big shot. I always thought felt would be to thick to cut. I'll have to give it a try now.

I have found that the felt cuts better than the cotton- different kind of weave, perhaps?

Have you tried ironing freezer paper on the back of the fabric. I have used this method on other projects.

Cleaner Cuts on Fabric
 

Try adding a shim to the top plate of the cuttlebug like some chip board or 2-3 sheets of cardstock. It forces the blade to make a sharper cut.