I'm sorry you find this "nothing great" because it really can be!
I've never seen it done as a long stitch and then a short stitch, though, sounds weird.
As there are several sizes of perle cotton threads, one should probably note that the size 8 or 12 are probably better.
Yes, "big stitch" quilting IS similar to (the same as?) sashiko quilting. It is intended to show, yes, but is often done in colors other than just white as sashiko is.
My shop in Dallas taught classes on this technique 12 years ago. Our lovely teacher moved from Plano to North or South Carolina, as I remember.
Jan in VA