Today, I want to share insight with you on a new system that Fiskars has introduce that I believe is going to be very popular with quilters, sewing & embroidery enthusiasts, mixed-media artists, and crafters alike. While I’ve not yet had an opportunity play with this new product, from what I have learned, it really looks like a great newtool and available at a very competitive price.
Fiskars has just introduced their new “Fuse Creativity System ", which goes above and beyond the capability of many die cutting systems. This is a new product that will actually start appearing on the shelves at JoAnns the end of July/early August. It was first introduced via HSN on June 18th , where it was well received by quilters and crafters and sold out quickly during the world-wide launch.
The system is
designed as a Modern “Crafting” tool, not a tool specifically for
quilters. But, SewCalGal does view that
it has many features that will benefit quilting, sewing and embroidery
enthusiasts. And, definitely enhance
creativity for those that enjoy scrapbooking, cardmaking, mixed media arts, and
more.
Fiskars promotes “The Fuse
Creativity System®” as being much more
than another die-cutting machine. It’s the only system on the market that can
die-cut a shape, press a textured pattern and ink the pattern all in one pass
through the machine. The simplified plating and manual crank system make it
easy to create embellishments for accenting homemade cards, scrapbook pages or
just about any other paper craft project.
Fiskars
makes two different types of dies – steel rule and photo etched. Photo etched dies cut
cardstock and paper-based mediums and achieve more intricate designs. Steel rule dies cut
thicker materials including chipboard, balsa wood, foam, fabric and light
metal. The steel rule dies would be best for sewing and quilting enthusiast.
The basic shapes (square, circle oval, scalloped oval, scalloped circle,
scalloped square) would expedite the process of cutting out basic shapes for
projects. The bird and postage stamp dies
would make very fun appliqué embellishments as well.
Currently,
you can choose from Medium Design Sets that cut classic shapes in thick
materials, Medium Design Sets that cut intricate shapes in light
crafting materials, Border Design Sets and Large Design Sets. Medium Design Sets that cut thicker
materials accommodate additional letterpress plates available in their
Expansion Packs, and their Adapter Kit lets you use your existing dies from other
systems with this machine. Try different combinations of dies, letterpress
plates, inks and crafting materials for a virtually limitless range of
designer-quality results.
This system supports Five different techniques:
Die
Cut + Letterpress
Die
Cut + Press only
Die
Cut only
Letterpress
only
Press
Only
SewCalGal definitely
wants to create with this system. Can you image the fun of using this system
with fabric inks to stamp on fabric? Wouldn’t
it be fun to use some of the Fiskars dies to stamp with fabric ink to embellish
your fabric?
There are a few
blogging quilters that have reported that both AccuQuilt and Sizzix dies work
in the new Fiskars Creativity System, but I have not had the opportunity to
validate this capability.
Product Details
obtained from Fiskars:
The closed
machine measures 12” tall, 15” wide and 6” deep. Open the machine measures 24”
long and 8” tall. The cut width accommodates 12” materials. The machine weighs
23 lbs. It is a sturdy machine and won’t move around during use.
Fuse
Creativity System®, 3 years; Fiskars Design Sets, lifetime, which is a much
better warranty than I’ve seen with any other die cutting system.
Fuse
Creativity System Starter Set (includes Fuse Creativity Machine, cutting plate
with rubber mat, spacer plate, black ink pad, and one Design Set that includes
a cutting die and two letterpress plates) $299.99
·
Steel
rule design sets – Medium (4” x 5”) $19.99
·
Photo
etched design sets – Medium (4” x 5”) $29.99
·
Letterpress
plate expansion pack – Medium $19.99
·
Adapter
kit - $89.99
·
Cutting
plate with mat – Medium $14.99
·
Rubber
mat refill pack – Medium $12.99
Here is a really cute
felt bird project made by designer Lisa Storms, using the Fiskars CreativitySystem. This cute bird would certainly be cute in an
applique’ quilt, wallhanging, table topper or embellished clothing item. I also look forward to when a machine
embroidery digitizer digitizes this shape for applique’ machine
embroidery. So many possibilities.
The
Fuse Creativity System is new and is introduced with a fun selection of dies,
but certainly more dies will be introduced in the future.
Again,
I don’t yet have hands on experience with the Fuse Creativity System so I can’t
answer every possible question about this new product. But, as I get a chance to play with it, I’ll
definitely share more insights with you.
Hi Darlene....this is very interesting...how will I ever keep up with all the new tools..lol. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteJust letting you know; I received the machingers gloves and DVD from Quilters Touch today....but haven't received the Aurifil Threads or the Sewslip as of yet. Thank you.
So interesting and so versatile! Creativity, truly, knows no bounds!! Thanks for the terrific post!!
ReplyDeleteLooks interesting. I'll be waiting for your further reviews.
ReplyDeleteI saw this the other day online and was wondering about it, thanks so much for the review.
ReplyDeleteThis looks interesting. I have been sitting on the fence whether to buy a die cutting machine at all, but I am sure my hands, arms, shoulders and back would appreciate one. Think of all the scraps one could run through that thing in no time. Intriguing indeed.
ReplyDeleteWow. That machine looks like one to check out for sure given the adaptability to so many different mediums. I can definitely see why it sold out quickly on HSN. It will be interesting to see the reviews once more and more begin using those dies and see how well they actually work, especially the adaptor kit. Very interesting for sure.
ReplyDelete