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!

I went back to my machine and looked and looked and all I could find was a stitch that goes forward and t2 and back one stitch. Not sure how it would look with two different threads in the top and bobbin. I have the Pfaff Expressions4. Love the machine. but I very seldom use it for anything but stitching quilts. I should get some plain t-shirts out and do some fancy stitches on them. Or my sweatshirts. This model is just below the embroidery model and I didn't go for that one because I am not the type to do that sort of sewing. I have friends who have them and if I need to I can ask them to do something for me. I of course pay them. Last thing was a label for my son's quilt. Jan

I just tried it with a plain old straight stitch. My 1500S is a straight stitch only machine. I have two cream colored threads in the top and black in the bottom. As you can see, I tried a few different stitch lengths, but did not have to adjust my tension.

My cheap little brother also had a quilting stitch. I found it too slow though so didn't ever use it much.

Ya, this machine she used really moved right along. Guess I will just have to learn to do it by hand, the old fashioned way. :?

My machine does this at the same speed it does everything. It's not a special stitch. I can zoom or just poke along.

On the Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0 choose stitch number 52. Put monofilament thread ( I use YLI) in your needle and the colour of thread you want to show in the bobbin. Set the needle thread tension as high as you need to get the look that suits you. I put my thread tension as high as it will go. I lengthen the stitch to 6.5 or higher. Engage IDT.

When you sew, all you will see is the bobbin thread.

Hope this helps.
Janie

I just got a sale price of $1,799. from Am. Sewing in N.J. but not sure if that is for the original or the sashiko 2 (which does more). Janer

Original price was 2400...I got a quote last yr of 1799 on a used one...passed it up figuring I'd wait it out...Didn't know there was a new model...Now I'll have to search that out...thanks for info...