Sashiko is an ancient Japanese technique. It was originally used to join layers of fabric together for warmth. As with most things Japanese, a practical application developed into an art form of great beauty.
The Sashiko is one of Baby Lock’s newest sewing machine, very nonconventional. It forms a stitch that looks like a hand done running stitch, mimicking the ancient technique. Only one thread is used and that is in the bobbin. I saw the video of how the stitch is formed, but the explanation is beyond me. You can change the actual stitch length and the space length with levers, while the machine is in operation. It takes thread from 30-100 wt. The presser foot height can be adjusted for easy fabric manipulation. Each stitch is self locking. It also can use some of the Evolove attachments – bias binder, plain hemmer, and feller.
I really enjoyed sewing with this machine. It was so easy to make beautiful geometric patterns. You can sew loops, circles, echoes, pivots – whatever design or pattern you’d like. The only thing you can’t do is sew back over a line you just did. It is just a fun machine.
At Baby Lock Tech there were gorgeous samples of Sashiko designs on clothing, pillows, quilts, table runners, and wall hangings. The possibilities are limited only by our imaginations.
The only downside to the Sashiko maybe the cost — for only one stitch, it might be a little pricey. We’ll need to see what they actually list for. Just looking at it work, you can see a lot of engineering technology went into its production – hence the cost.
Bottom line – I really had a blast sewing with it. Have a question about Baby Lock’s Sashiko? Ask it in the comment section.
UPDATE (Oct. 21, 2009): Baby Lock created a video explaining the Sashiko:
Elaine, I too would only buy from my local dealer. I have found that I am able to turn the fabric very easily with the pressure foot adjusted higher. True, it is not like free motion, but I can sew at a good speed and make curly cues without any trouble.
i have ordered one,it was $2,400 but she took off 20% for super bowl sunday. I am supposed to get it in feb.
RE: B. Bowman. can u please tell me what shop quoted $1600.00? or what show u saw the machine at. at that price, i would consider one.
Thanx.
A
RE: B. Bowman. can u please tell me what shop quoted $1600.00? or what show u saw the machine at.
u can get me at jumeau@ptd.net
thanx.
A
Congrats, Lola. I know you are going to enjoy the Sashiko.
I don’t understand – can this machine handle the 3 layers of quilting or is it only for single layer fabric?
Maria
It can easily sew through the three layers of a quilt. The best way to see what it can do would be to take a sample of your quilt sandwich to your dealer and do a test sew. It ia really a neat machine.
can you sew a quilt that has a higher loft than warm and natural. Is the loft of the the batting going to create a problem?
We can change the pressor foot height and pressure for the different thickness of battings.
The only way I know to find this out, would be to bring a sample of your quilt sandwich to your local dealer and try it out. See if you get the desired product. Let us know how you liked the results.
This looks like the coolest machine…looking forward to seeing a demo of the machine…like others, I may have to wait until the price comes down.
I guess I was really hoping for miracles!! I thought that if it was up to $600 I’d get one!! Oh, silly me……….
I have only seen this machine online. My question is what does the back side of the work look like? Will I have a chain stitch on the back of my quilt?
Kathy,
It looks like a solid straight stitch or back-stitch on the back.
-Mallory
What is the selling price for a new Sashiko 2 machine?
Martha,
Dealers are not allowed to post prices online, so call your local Baby Lock dealer for pricing. Also, dealers just received the news that original Sashiko machines can be upgraded to function like the new Sashiko 2 machine. Once again, call about the pricing on that process. It will be different at every location due to shipping costs.
Thanks for commenting!
I wonder if you can use a walking foot or even feed foot on this machine? All the pictures I’ve seen show what looks like a zigzag foot, and I don’t see how that could be used for quilting. Also, when you say you can’t sew back over previous lines of stitching, does that mean you couldn’t even cross it to make, say, a crosshatching design with x’s?
There is no walking foot available for this machine but there are 12 additional feet that can be used with it including a binder foot.
Hi. I found a video that a lady Pam made. It will show you a few examples of using the Sashiko2 machine. Here is the link-http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c-HrWBS79os#!
This technology is not new. The first “hand stitch” sewing machine appeared in 1875.
http://www.ismacs.net/sewing_machine_articles/hand-stitch-sewing-machines.html
Industrial “hand stitch” sewing machines are available. They are used in the garment making industry.
The price Babylock is charging is a lot for a machine that just does one stitch and comes in a plastic body with very little arm space. I’m going to try and order an industrial hand stitch machine and get my money’s worth.
Michal,
Let us know how that goes for you! We’d love to see your projects!
Mallory
I bought this Sashiko machine and I love it!!!! I completed my first project last month. Although this machine is being called a ‘one-stitch’ machine, by varying the stitch length and stitch space we can come up with a number of different stitch effects. Plus we can couch yarn and ribbon a lot easier than I have done on my sewing machine. There is a yahoo group for the Sashiko machine. You should take a look at all the projects people have done with the Sashiko.
I just finished quilting my first project on the Sashiko. I am getting use to the machine now and would like to go to a web site with video on all the things that can be done, like bindings, quilting designs etc. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you.
I am looking at the Sashiko II, and full of questions, How do you go from one place to another. do you cut the thread and move to the new spot or do you just move and cut threads later. is there a cutter on the machine. can you free motion quilt with the Sashiko II? What size bobbin does it take. Can you use prewounds?? I have downloaded the Manual, and seen about every video out there.. none address any of this. Still waiting for approval membership to the yahoo group.. Thanks for any help
Missi Phillips
Skeldale House Designs