I was watching a "Porter and Fons" show on TV the other day, and there was a lady on, who did Sashiko on her sewing machine. I have an expensive machine but I don't think mine does that stitch. Does yours? Is so what brand is it? Or was this a special machine used only for Sashiko? I like the look as I do a lot of Oriental looking pieces and would love to incorporte it into the quilting. Jan

I watched that episode and the machine was specifically a Sashiko machine.

Isnt there a way to do a similar stitch on a sewing machine? Adjusting tension?

The sashiko machine that I found was $1500. Think I will have to wait awhile. I do not know how much the one from babylock is, but it looks very nice. http://www.babylock.com/quilting/sashiko/

There are a couple of machines that do a "quilting stitch" I know that the high end Singer computerized machines did...aka XL-1000, XL-6000, 9240 etc...I think the high end Vikings, too.
You can replicate the sashiko by having invisable thread in the top threading and regular thread in the bobbin.

I posted asking if anyone had the Babylock Sashiko Machine a couple of days ago...so far no one does...I've tested it and want it but hoping it would come down in price...Full price 2400 but I've found a couple of places offering it for 1900...
I discovered tonight since I was reviewing my Instruction bboklet for my Viking SE that it does a hand stitch but you do have to use invisable thread...It's close but it's a Faux Sashiko...I'd rather have the real thing...It is a great machine and if you have a chance to try one...it's amazing and the look is truly a hand stitch....
If you go to the Babylock website they have a video of it in action.

my reg machine has a sensor for thread ( upper and lower) it will not "see" the invisable thread in the upper, but willl in the lower... I love using invisable thread for a varity of projects...

I think it was Sharon Pederson, first in her Reversible Quilts book and then in the Sensational Sashiko book, who had a method of using the thicker white thread on top with a thinner thread in the bobbin that matched the background fabric to create a faux Sashiko stitch by machine. It was pretty cool.

Ah, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB5fsTvMCA4
It's right after her intro.

Did you see this?

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-111381-1.htm

I just tried it out on my Brother PQ1500S. It works pretty well. If my camera batteries ever recharge, I'll post some pictures. I think it is worth playing with for a bit. I can see it enhancing some quilts done in reproduction fabrics.

definitely want to give this a try!