Using Sizzix XL dies in Cuttlebug

Cindy asked me about the scalloped card that I posted the other day. I'm answering here because I want to give Cuttlebug users some hints about using the Sizzix XL dies. I know that I said before that these could probably be used with the Cuttlebug, but I don't think I went into detail. [Please note that since I first wrote this post, I've added at least two other workarounds, the simplest and cleanest of which would be using two plates for Sizzix border dies.]

Yes, the scalloped card was made using that Sizzix XL die. I didn't use it in the Cuttlebug. I used it with my Big Shot and those XL clear cutting plates. Those XL plates are just a bit too wide to fit through the opening of the Cuttlebug, however, so CB users have to improvise. You can use your clear B plates as substitutes, but you'll have to make two passes to cut the full length of the die.

So, here's the scoop on using these XL dies in the Cuttlebug. I'll use the scalloped die as my example. [Let me add here that this is described on the Sizzix site as being 6" wide, but it actually isn't--it's a fraction less and it fits easily into the Cuttlebug. Need proof? See my Catch-all post where I debunk the rumor that Bigz dies won't fit either. :-) ]

You'll need 12" long paper or cardstock cut to a width of about 4 1/2" to cover the cutting surface of the die.


This card die, as well as the other XL card dies, has a metal ridge that scores the card as it cuts it out. I'm pointing this out for a reason! :-) I'm so subtle.


If you place plate B on the die's surface, you'll see that if you align the top edge with the scoring gizmo, the bottom edge comes to the top of that label on the plate. Convenient, eh? Keep this in mind. It'll help you position the plate later.


Here's the stack that I'll run through the machine. From bottom to top: plate B, XL die with cutting side up, paper or cardstock facedown, plate B.


I picked up the stack and aimed it through the slot as you can see above. Those two free ends of the plates made it easier to feed the stack through.


After one pass, you can see that I was just a little off in my placement of the top plate. But this is why I wanted to point out where that score mark would be--if you can align the crease made by the edge of the plate and that score line, then you won't have any stray creases. And actually, as long as you're close you're in pretty good shape. You just don't want it much farther off that I had it here.


So now it's time to make a second pass and cut out the rest of the card. Slide your clear plates to the other end of the die, keeping the paper in place. You can see where the score line should be now and it'll be easier to line up that edge of the plate where it needs to be. If I didn't have the XL plates, I'd probably mark my die at the outside edges so that I could line it up more accurately every time.


There. I was much closer that time, eh?


And here's the die cut folded into a scalloped card.

So, Cuttlebug users, that gives you an idea of what would be involved in using these XL Sizzix dies in your machine. I thought I read a rumor a while back that someone would be coming out with long clear plates that would fit through the Cuttlebug opening, but I haven't heard anything recently. If anyone knows more about this, please feel free to chime in.

Edited to add: I've posted an addendum after receiving a suggestion in the comments. Here's the post: Addendum. I think you'll find that it makes using this die in a Cuttlebug much easier.