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Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK Review (2023 Update)
Note from the Editor: This Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK review was originally written in 2012, and has been revised and updated in 2023. We have added alternatives such as Brother Innov-ís Pacesetter PS500, Brother SE1900, and Janome S5.
Conducting a full review of a specialty sewing machine like the Baby Lock Sashiko II model BLQK was a real learning experience. Not long ago, I was browsing through Cynthia’s Fine Fabrics in South Florida to check out some of the newly released sewing machines.
While strolling through the specialty machines’ section, I came across the brand new Sashiko from Baby Lock. Hand stitching is an art that home sewers and quilters are quite familiar with. Imagine being able to get that great looking hand stitched look with a machine.
The new Sashiko is a very interesting quilting machine that brings the look of hand stitching to your sewing room without having to go through the actual process of sewing by hand. It the produces stitches that look exactly as if they were made by hand.
Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK Overview
This is a sewing and quilting machine by Baby Lock that uses 30 weight or lighter thread/embroidery floss and is aided with U-shaped fluorescent lamps. Stitch length and spacing are adjustable and an electronic foot control adjusts and sets the speed of the bobbin winding. A color LED panel has also been added for stitch function. A built in accessory space built into the device makes storage easier.
To look at it, the Sashiko II looks like any other sewing machine. A second look, however, reveals that the threading process is somewhat different.
First of all, there’s no threading guide. That’s not a real problem for anyone accustomed to using sewing machines because there are certain aspects to threading a sewing machine that are simply the same, no matter which sewing machine you are using.
I’ll share a humorous story about my attempts to thread this specialty sewing machine below when I share my thoughts about working on the Sashiko BLQK.
What are some alternatives for Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK?
The Pacesetter PS500 Sewing Machine is a must-have tool for anyone who enjoys sewing using high-end technical capabilities. If you desire a sewing and embroidery machine, it is a fantastic choice to take into account. Whatever your sewing demands may be, it is svelte and fashionable.
100 built-in stitches, 4 built-in lettering fonts, and 7 different one-step buttonholes are included, giving you enough options to choose from while sewing. The flip-up stitch panel displays all of the built-in stitches. The electronic speed control can be adjusted up to 850 stitches per minute. Large quilts and projects can fit in the extended work area, which is 8.3" from needle to arm.
Threading a needle is quick and simple thanks to the integrated needle threader mechanism. Additionally, it has a manual thread tension control and an automated thread cutter. It has a button that will automatically cut your thread. You only need to press it once, which is located on the sewing machine arm. When you press the button, it automatically cuts the top and bottom threads.
The Brother Embroidery Machine, SE1900 is a computerized embroidery machine that is perfect for beginners and hobbyists. It has 138 built-in embroidery designs, including a variety of designs for monogramming, home décor, and clothing. It also has 11 built-in fonts and a 5" x 7" embroidery field.
The SE1900 also has a number of features that make it easy to use, such as the touch-screen display and the automatic needle threader. It also has a number of advanced features, such as the My Custom Stitch™ feature, which allows you to create your own custom stitches.
The SE1900 is a great choice for beginners and hobbyists who are looking for an embroidery machine with a variety of features and a great stitch quality. It is not the most affordable machine on the market, but it is a good value for the price.
The Janome Skyline S5 blends modern sensibility with unmatched convenience. Designed for elevated sewing experiences, its spacious bed accommodates larger quilting and home decor projects. Boasting top-of-the-line features like the Superior Plus Feed System, Automatic Thread Cutter, and Memorized Needle Up/Down, the S5 combines functionality with ease of use. With 6 ultra-bright LED lights, 10 one-step buttonholes, and a maximum stitch width of 9 mm, this computerized machine offers premium capabilities at a mid-level price, making it an ideal choice for sewists looking to elevate their craft.
What are the features on Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK?
When you work on the new Sashiko BLQK, you will find some of the most interesting features, such as:
- Uses 30-weight or lighter thread or embroidery floss
- U-Shaped fluorescent lamp
- Color LED Panel for stitch function
- Adjustable stitch length and spacing (2-5mm)
- Presser foot pressure adjustment
- Presser foot height adjustment
- Needle plate seam markings in inches and millimeters
- Electronic foot control adjusts and sets speed of bobbin winding
- Built-in accessory storage
Working on the Sashiko BLQK
Anyone with any experience working on a sewing machine is usually able to figure out how to thread it, even when the manual is not available. I sat down to thread the Sashiko BLQK and immediately realized that the threading guides looked a little different.
Rather than blunder through and possibly damage a brand new machine, I sought the assistance of a sales associate. I stopped feeling silly when she, too, couldn’t figure out how to thread the needle.
It wasn’t until Cynthia, the shop owner, came upon the scene to not only show is how to thread it, but to demonstrate how it operates. First of all, the needle is NOT threaded.
The Sashiko operates with thread in the bobbin only. As it turns out, the specialty needle works with the latch wire system to help shuttle the thread through a hook that creates the hand stitched effect.
The spool pin and thread guides on top of the machine are for winding the bobbin which rests inside a compartment that opens on the lower left side of the machine.
The Sashiko BLQK can not only give you several different single stitch sizes and spaces, it is also excellent for topstitching, scattered stitching, couching, attaching beads or lace and a wide range of other options.
After looking at samples of some of the work done on the Sashiko BLQK, it was clear that anyone who has the space and the desire to add a specialty machine to their sewing room would not be disappointed with this one.
No doubt, if one of these babies were in my sewing room, I’d come up with lots of great creative things to do with it. A brief look through the project book and kit lets you know just how much you can do with this machine.
Just imagine… all the beauty of everything you can do by hand and none of the painstaking drudgery. Think about the possibilities. With the Sashiko BLQK it is now possible to get that hand quilted or hand embroidered effect in a matter of minutes rather than a few weeks.
Another great advantage of having the Sashiko BLQK is that taking care of it is as simple as caring for any other sewing machine.
Which fabrics work on the Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK?
| Fabrics that work | Fabrics that don’t work |
|---|---|
| Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester Knits(Medium to heavyweight only) Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers Upholstery | Leather/suede Fur Reptile skin Canvas/Twill Plastic/Rubber |
What accessories come with the Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK?
When it comes to specialty sewing machines like the Sashiko BLQK, you can expect to find many of the same accessories that are included with other multi purpose sewing machines.
The standard accessories included with the Sashiko BLQK include:
- 3 Extra Needles
- 3 Extra Latch Wires
- Quilting Guide
- 2 Screwdrivers
- Tweezers
- 3 Spool caps (Small, Medium, Large)
- 3 Bobbins
- Cleaning Brush
- Exclusive Baby Lock Creative Project Book and Kit
- Heavy duty black canvas cover
- Quilt hook
- 2 screwdrivers
- Lint brush
- 3 extra bobbins
- 3 spool caps – small, medium, large
- Optional 18 x 24 extension table
How to maintain the Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK?
| Maintenance activities | After each use | Monthly | Once each year | As needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Lubricate | No | No | No | No |
| Service by sewing machine repair professional | No | No | Yes | No |
Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK Summary
To conclude this review, the Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK isn’t for everyone. It deserves five stars because it does what it is intended to do and does it exceptionally well, far better than the multi-functional machines on the market that offer a few stitch options which simulate hand stitching.
This single purpose specialty machine is not for beginners. Nor is it for anyone who has limited space for sewing equipment or expects to attempt making anything on it from start to finish.
There is a definite learning curve here – even for the most advanced of home sewers. If you have never used a machine like this before, you should plan on spending a little bit of time learning how to use the Sashiko BLQK in order to get the most out of it.
Most retailers offer free classes to anyone who purposes a Sashiko; and I recommend that if you purchase this machine, you take advantage of this valuable resource.
The $3999 MSRP is only a little more than I anticipated it to be. My honest feeling, however, is if I’m going to pay that much for a specialty machine, I would expect that the extension table would be included as a standard accessory.
This machine is ideal for quilting. In my opinion, an extension table is a necessity for any quilting machine, not an option.
All in all, the Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK is a great specialty machine, rendering some of the best imitations of hand stitching I have ever seen during my reviews.
Truth be told, if I had not been told that the samples I saw were made on a machine, I would have sworn that someone sat down and did all of that beautiful stitchwork by hand.
If you have a penchant for producing work that has that hand stitched look but don’t want to invest the time and energy in all that tedious work, I strongly urge you to take a look at the Sashiko BLQK from Baby Lock. It’s the next best thing… and it’s affordable.
Baby Lock Sashiko BLQK Review
Summary
The Babylock Sashiko Machine BLQK is a specialized sewing machine designed for creating traditional Sashiko patterns. It has a number of features that make it easy to create these patterns, including a needle that only uses one thread, a latch wire system that helps to keep the thread taut, and a free arm that makes it easy to sew around curves. The machine also has a number of built-in Sashiko patterns, as well as the ability to import your own patterns.
Overall, the Babylock Sashiko Machine BLQK is a specialized sewing machine that is designed for creating traditional Sashiko patterns. It is a good option for sewers who want to create these patterns easily and accurately.
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Happy Stitching.
Thank you so much. This is the most helpful information that I have been able to find on the Internet. You have provided a comprehensive and well-written review.
This is a wonderful review. Now I am wondering what the differences are between the original Sashiko machine and the Sashiko 2.
I was in a sewing store looking at that very Sashiko machine today and was told the difference between the original and the Sashiko 2 is the fact that some slight changes were made for the “2” because of slight problems notice in the operation of the original machine. This is one reason I never buy a machine when it is new on the market. I did see one of the “originals” there and it looked no different from the “2” and was stitching beautifully.
Think I’ll treat myself to this machine and have some fun with it.
The look is so rich and beautiful.
Did you find out the special change made from #1 to the sashiko 2? It was the addition of the speciality stitch mode that enables you to do couching techniques, as demonstrated by Evy Hawkins in her techniques book.
I have treated myself to the Sashiko 2 machine and have successfully made a Sahiko style mat, and have just started quilting a cot quilt with it. I did have some problems when I first tried quilting on a large, bed-sized, quilt,finding that the 30 wt cotton produced an unattractive look on the underside. However, after making up two sample pieces with different waddings (batting), I tried different threads and found that the 30 wt was good on one of these, not so good on the other, the best results have been with good quality embroidery threads. Lesson learnt -always test out the combination of fabrics and thread!
I am now using a 30 wt cotton on the cot quilt with lovely results. The top achieves the hand-stitched look and the back has a neat row of ordinary looking machine stitching. I now find I need lots and lots of bobbins, as I have to wind some of each to try….
The videos demonstrating this machine on the web do not show the underside. If anyone is interested I will try to add some photos of mine…
I would love to see some pictures of what the underside looks like! Thank you!
I have found your e mail at last, after it disappeared, somehow! I will try to attach photos of the mat, front and back so you can see the difference. I am finding the Sashiko more successful on small objects, though I have quilted a quilt on it, but found that harder as the thread broke often.
Can’t see how to attach a photo?? Any hints? This doesn’t offer me the “insert photo” option.
The back looks like close machine stitching. The front is really great!
I was trying to find the difference between the original and the “2”. Thanks.
I have been given the original model. It’s been a trial learning to use it. I also am having problems with the needle “shattering” good quilting fabrics. Cheaper looser weave fabrics sew fine. I’m wondering if there are smaller size needles than the 18 it came with. So far I’m not impressed with using it to quilt which really disappoints me.
Sorry to hear you are disappointed with your Sashiko. I enjoy using mine:- I think there is only one type of needle as far as I know. Have you tried using embroidery thread? This night be less damaging to fine fabric, though I have not had any issues on quilters cotton.
could be what they call the latch wire is damaged and not covering the needle eye opening. there for catching the fabrics
I plan to use this machine for embellishment and quilting. Please share your experiences – is this a good “work-horse” that somehow justifies its price tag? Has anyone had issues with overheating or some other type of unexpected issues related to wear and tear? (I’m on the fence about getting this machine because of its price tag.)
May I have the price of baby lock sashi ko blqk
I have owned the Sashiko2 machine but found issues with it. For quilting on fabrics that are not pieced it is great, but needles break and threads break when stitching in a seam intersection. I even broke off the small wire bit.
To avoid this, when you come to where the seams meet, slide the fabric over so you are not quilting in the seam. The stitch will be longer, but you will not break the needles or the wire thing on the machine.
It is a beautiful machine and quilts looks awesome like they were hand quilted. I bought this machine to quilt vintage quilt tops for I think the hand quilting stitch looks more authentic on antique/vintage quilts including civil war, 1930s, 60s, etc.
The transport is not like other machines. If you quilt fast and then slow, there will be a stitch width discrepancy. I liked this, it made the quilt look hand quilted.
Sounds like a great machine would be looking for a used one.
Thank you for the wonderful reviews. I have bookmarked your website for future reference
Onde no Brasil encontro para comprar essa máquina Baby block sashiko? Obrigada