The other day I got a pm from a newer member (Xylie55) asking me to help explain an old technique that she called a "mock machine hand stitch". I've been playing with it for a few days and I really like the possibilities that it opens up. I'll explain it to you all as she explained it to me...

"They did this in the 1930's so it is a very old art. It is a mock hand quilting stitch on a domestic sewing machine. You put 2 threads in the top needle (darker color, but the same color-((or I found it looks cool to mix these)) say red. In the bobbin, you use a color of thread that matches the quilt top background (say white). The top thicker stitches pop, while the bobbin thread disappears in the quilt. Adjust tensions (top and/or bottom) until you like the look of it. (I tell you what settings I used with the pics below)You can adjust the stitch length too. Or you can switch the colors for a bolder stitch like white in the top2 threads and red in the bobbin. Its a beautiful stitch and a lost art which needs to be brought back."

To me, the stitch looks alot like machine Sashiko or what I've seen called "the Long Stitch" which has a longer stitch on the top and just a prick of color on the back...I think I'm gonna have some fun with it!

From left to right on the pic- here is what I did:

1. Top- 2 colors thread, Burgundy bobbin thread, bobbin tension cranked 1/4 turn tighter, top tension set at 5.0, 4.5 stitch length

2. Top- 2 white threads, Burgundy bobbin thread, bobbin tension cranked 1/4 turn tighter, top tension at 4.0, stitch length 5.0

3. Top 2 white threads, Burgundy bobbin thread, no bobbin tension adjustment, top tension 4.0, stitch length 3.0

4. Single thread in the top, same thread in the bobbin, no bobbin adjustment, top tension 4.0, stitch length 3.0

Read the list in reverse for the "Back" pic.

Its an interesting thing to play with and the good part is that it needs NO special fancy smancy machine...

Thanks for the info . I'm going to have to play with this.

Patti, I have also seen this stitch done with the Clear Monofiliment on the top YSL works best and the colour in the bobbin. You get a mock hand stitch this way too. Tell me what you think.

Elle

can i ask a silly question...never machined quilted before and i really like this ....would you use a walking foot????

I like that technique. thanks for sharing.

This is very pretty! Thanks for sharing.

Annette, I used a walking foot on the sample.

elle, I'll try it with the mono too

ty ...

Thanks. I recently saw a Fons and Porter show demonstrating Sashiko - I really like it, but certainly can't see investing in a separate sewing machine that only does this. I'm going to play with this - your samples look great!

Well, sorry that my pics are a little blurry..but using the 2 threads in the top and doing a little longer stitch length than normal really makes it look like Sashiko to me..Boy, I can't see investing in another machine for that either!