kwilter

IMO, the machine is way too costly for the ONE thing it does!

quilt gramma

I seen the machine at our local quilt and dealer shop and it was costly and i remember thinking tomyself why would i want a machine that does one thing . But it looks cool but i am sure that me Janome HOrizon can do better stiches .

joycecil

I second this.

writerwomen

Being that it is a chain stitch machine it may be possible to simulate something close by playing with a regular chain stitch machine

quiltmom04

There are a lot of machines that do that now. My Pfaff will, but I don't use it a lot.

1000projects

"I am going back to a couple of posts on this subject which involved "faking it", one said you put clear thread in the bobbin and the other said you put it on top. Which one is it, or does it vary from machine to machine. TIA for you answers."

clear thread on top, decorative on the bottom, high tension on the clear thread to pull the bottom thread up.

janeknapp

My Viking Designer I has this stitch. The machine goes forward and backward and forward again which doubles the thread. It is sloooow. I'm not a fan of this stitch on my machine. I don't know if you can program that or if it can be done the way it is mentioned here. It does look the same on front and back.

There are many great Sashiko stitches which would be fun to do. The Babylock Sashiko machine may really do them well. It probably takes a dedicated machine to do that.

Go here to watch a video:
http://www.babylock.com/quilting/sashiko/

That said...let's just do sashiko hand quilting and enjoy it. You have to really be "into" sashiko and want to do a lot of it to pay money for a dedicated machine. However, if you have extra money laying around which is cluttering up your yard, go for it and enjoy!

grann of 6

I have that stitch on all my Vikings, but would never consider it a Sashiko alternative. I don't think it looks anything like Sashiko. I do use it when I want a good sturdy topstitching stitch. And I don't think it is any slower than any of the stitches that switch direction during the stitching. But I agree you have to be really INTO sashiko to be willing to spend that amount on a single purpose machine.

abc123

I do have this machine and it is a one function machine. I love the hand-stitched look but it is difficult for me to physically hold a small needle and for that reason was drawn to this machine. You can lenghten or shorten the spaces between each stitch and also lengthen and shorten the stitch itself. Someone mentioned liking imperfections in their handstitching (I do too and it gives the look of an authentic handstitch to primitive projects) the solution is to adjust the stitch length and stitch space throughout the project.

Yes, it is a chainstitch on the backside of the project but the secret is to use a color thread that matches the backing then the chainstitch is less noticeable. It is best to use at a slow speed and FMQ is really not an option with this machine.

If you open your horizons to new ideas and projects (not only quilting), you would be amazed at what this machine can produce. Examples: embellished stitches on handbags that are lined, clothing, linens, etc.

Would I purchase again? Yes without a doubt.

grann of 6

Thanks for the reply. It is good to hear from someone who has one and to hear what you can do with it. Good product endorsement :!: :wink: :lol: