Aurora

I have only used Kona Black. Cutting it made such a horrible mess on my mat, I doubt I will every use it again. I also have some Bella Black that I have not cut as yet, don't see how it could possibly make a bigger mess than the Kona. However, a color comparison, showed the Kona color closer to a Dark Charcoal and the Moda more of an intense Black.

luckydiver17

I actually took a picture of the bolt in case I needed more fabric later. It looks like a real Kona to me. Maybe I am just picky, this is the first time I've ever used just a plain white in my quilts so I may not be used to the fact that it is so much lighter in color than other fabrics. I don't like the feel of it, its not very soft. Oh well, I got it on sale at a vacuum and fabric shop for $6.95 a yard, can't really beat that! I hope I won't need anymore of it for the two quilts I am working on though because I wouldn't buy it again.

KrissyD.

I prefer Moda , a lot softer .

Sewnoma

I prefer Kona because it's a stiffer fabric so it's easier to work with. I use black Kona by the bolt all the time, and sometimes the white too.

People on here keep saying that Joann's Kona isn't the "real" Kona but I've had cuts from Joann's and cuts from Fabric.com at the same time and I did a careful comparison under bright lights and I can't tell the fabric apart. Same hand (feel), same thread count, same colors, same type of selvedge finish. Identical as far as I can tell. I mix them in quilts all the time and they wash/wear identically. Once I've cut the fabric off the bolt I can't tell if it's "Fabric.com" Kona or "Joann's" Kona. So I am convinced that they're the same. Joann's has it regular price 7.99; when I get a 50% off coupon (and their Kona isn't already on sale) I buy a bolt of black and/or a bolt of white, depending on how many coupons I have and which of them I'm running lowest on.

Joann's does carry "cotton broadcloth" and some other solids that are definitely NOT Kona - much thinner and coarser weave, and the colors look "muddy" to me. But the ones specifically marked Kona appear to be "the real deal", and if not then it's so close that I can't tell them apart even when I'm specifically looking for differences.

Sewnoma

Hi Lucky!

See that "PFD" on the label? You have "prepared for dying" fabric there, not standard quilting Kona. I've never handled it but that MIGHT be why the texture seems odd?

ghostrider

I use solids a lot and have for many years. These are the differences, and the similarities, I have noticed between Kona Cotton Solids and Moda Bella Solids. These are from my experience only; others may have drawn different conclusions.

• Both are 60 square broadcloth.
• Moda Bella has a softer hand off the bolt, but they are very similar when prewashed/washed.
• Moda Bella has a slight sheen to the surface that can give the finished work a softer, more refined appearance.
• Kona Solids tighten up, and soften up, when prewashed/washed.
• Kona Solid colors can vary, sometimes quite noticeably, between dye lots (no experience with Bella on this point).

And a note to Lucky about Kona PFD...it's chemical free. That's what makes it 'prepared for dyeing'. The absence of chemicals means it doesn't have the wrinkle inhibitors, softeners, insect repellants, formaldehyde, and other chemicals that standard quilting cottons (including Kona Solids) do. And that's why it seems more stiff and wrinkly to you. Hope that helps.

costumegirl

Great info here!! I always wondered how the two lines compared and didn't know about the PFD labelling.
Thanks for the enlightening comments!!

willferg

This topic of "are the Kona cottons at Joann's really from Robert Kaufman" has come up many times before. Here's a link to a response from Robert Kaufman to QB readers:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...-t33854-4.html

ghostrider

That thread, however, does not take into consideration that several QB members have subsequently seen employees at JoAnn's wrapping solids from 'unknown manufacturers' around empty Robert Kaufman KonaŽ Cotton bolts.

link to the relevant post in that thread
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...tml#post746926

thegoatlady

I appreciate the info about PFD as im allergic to formaldehyde!