when it was first started wasn't it to hold all the layers together, it just looks like quilting to me

It was used by the Japanese to strengthen fabric in the beginning and translated to what it is today. I'm working on some now but don't know when I will be finished. I will post when I get it done, but that could be a while.

I took a class where we made a quilt. The blocks with sashiko stitching had a thin layer of Thermor (sp) underneath and we stitched thru both layers which kept the block stable. Then the entire quilt had Warm & Natural.

I used this in a quilt for my mother. I got the designs from http//the embroiderylibrary.com

They even have a tutorial on that sight listed under Projects.

I was very pleased with the results.