It's called Kantha stitching and it's the next "new" thing in the quilting/modern quilting world according to several sources.
Check out this site for information on this very interesting uptick in quilting -- both hand and machine:
http://www.equilter.com/blog/
Then check out the following for great supplies including needles, thimbles, and great threads:
http://www.equilter.com/category/190...20160831012442
YES, I WILL be ordering from them -- the threads thrill me!!
Jan in VA