GO! Smart Start™ Dies: The Best AccuQuilt Dies to Get Started With

The most common question from quilters who discover AccuQuilt is: which die should I get first? The GO! system includes hundreds of dies, and the freedom of choice that makes it so powerful can also make getting started feel overwhelming. GO! Smart Start™ Dies are AccuQuilt’s answer.

accuquilt.livebed through the die library and identified 11 of the most versatile, most-used shapes in quilting chosen as the best everyday value in the die library. These are the dies that will get you cutting right away, build your skills, and keep delivering creative value long after your first project is finished.

Why These Dies?

GO! Smart Start Dies are basics in the best sense. These shapes show up in pattern after pattern, project after project. They’re the dies that quilters reach for most, the ones that help you use your fabric stash and scraps efficiently, and the ones that make the learning curve of fabric die cutting feel like a straight line.

A GO! Qube Mix & Match Block is still a great way to get started with eight shapes that work together to make over 72 different quilt blocks, but the investment and the range of choices can give some quilters pause. GO! Smart Start Dies let you pick one shape you know you’ll use, start cutting, finish a project and build from there.

The GO! Smart Start Dies

Here’s a look at each Smart Start die and why it earns its place on the list.

GO! Square-5" (4½" Finished)
The essential pre-cut size. This die cuts the same size as a charm square and is one of the most versatile dies in the GO! library. Use it for making your own charm squares, scrap busting and a wide range of quilt block designs.

GO! Square-6" (6½" Finished)
A generous working size that’s particularly friendly for quilters just getting comfortable with the GO! system. Compatible with the dies included with GO! Me and GO! Big starter sets.

GO! Square-8 1/2" (8" Finished)
An excellent choice for finishing projects quickly. Larger blocks mean fewer seams and faster assembly which is a great confidence builder for a first quilt.

GO! Circle-2", 3", 5"
Three circle sizes on one die. Cuts perfect circles from quilting cotton, felt, wool, craft foam and more - ideal for applique, no-sew projects and craft projects of all kinds.

GO! Ohio Star-12" Finished
The one Block on Board® (BOB®) die in the Smart Start lineup. It includes all the shapes needed to cut a complete 12" Ohio Star block in one pass - no separate triangle or square dies required. Works with all GO! cutters.

GO! Square-5½" (5" Finished)
A great starter die for 10" finished four-patch blocks. Four 5" finished squares sewn together produce a 10" finished block. A simple, satisfying construction that’s ideal for a first project.

GO! Hexagon-1", 1½", 2½" Sides
Three hexagon sizes on one die. Cut one size at a time or layer different sizes together - only where fabric and a mat overlap will cut, giving you flexible options from a single die.

GO! Flying Geese-3½" x 6½" (3" x 6" Finished)
One of quilting’s most popular units, cut perfectly and consistently every time. Flying geese appear in hundreds of quilt patterns and this die makes them fast, accurate and approachable.

GO! Heart-2", 3", 4"
Three heart sizes on one die. A natural crafting die for no-sew projects, applique, gifts and seasonal decorations. One of the most versatile dies for sewists and crafters of all skill levels.

GO! Square-1" (1½" Finished)
The easiest way to cut small squares for mini quilts, pixel quilts and scrap projects. Also cuts 5" charm squares down to workable small pieces efficiently.

GO! Small Strip Cutter-2½" (2" Finished)
Cuts scraps and popular pre-cuts into perfect 2½" strips, squares or even diamonds using the angled guidelines printed on the die. One of the most versatile dies in the GO! library and a natural companion to any strip-based quilt pattern.

Most Popular Next Picks

Once you’ve cut your first project and are ready to expand, these six dies are AccuQuilt’s recommended next step. They include full-sized strip cutters and high-yield square dies that give you more creative range and more pieces per pass - each at an accessible price point.

The GO! Square-2½" (2" Finished) Multiples Die is a standout in this set: it cuts 9 squares at once, and with six layers of fabric on the cutter that’s up to 54 squares in a single pass. 

The GO! Rag Square-8½" is a favorite for quilt-as-you-go projects - a fast, satisfying way to finish a quilt without a separate quilting step.

Frequently Asked Questions About GO! Smart Start Dies

What are GO! Smart Start Dies?
GO! Smart Start Dies are a curated selection of 11 AccuQuilt GO! dies - chosen for everyday value from the full GO! die library as the most versatile, most frequently used shapes in quilting, making them the best starting point for anyone getting into the GO! system.

How much does it cost to get started with AccuQuilt GO! and Smart Start Dies?
The most economical GO! cutter is the GO! Me. Pair it with one GO! Smart Start Die and a cutting mat, and you can get into the full GO! system for a very manageable investment.

Is this a better value than the Ready. Set. GO! system?
Ready. Set. GO! is always the best overall value because it includes a cutter, multiple dies and a mat together in a single package. GO! Smart Start Dies are designed for quilters who want to start with a smaller investment—one die at a time—and build their collection from there.

Do GO! Smart Start Dies work with all GO! cutters?
Most GO! Smart Start Dies are compatible with all GO! cutters. Check the product page for each die for full cutter compatibility details.

Where can I buy GO! Smart Start Dies?
GO! Smart Start Dies are available at accuquilt.live and through authorized AccuQuilt retailers. Use the store locator to find a retailer near you.

Start Cutting. Build from There.

GO! Smart Start Dies make the decision easy: pick one die, cut one project, discover what the GO! system can do. Every die on the list is one you’ll reach for again and again, long after your first project is finished.