I also have a big shot. It will only cut the size you have a die for, but it cuts easily and accurately, and it will usually take other dies. You may have to fiddle your layers though, to get it just right.
I have used their regular dies for applique, and also the Drunkards path for that style of block. Bit niggled that you have to buy the two halves separately, but that is my ( very) mean streak.