Lee in Richmond

I got a lot of fat quarters at an estate sale, and they are higher quality than anything I have ever bought myself. I am loving making sampler quilt tops with them. My question is about solids -- I buy the Moda or Kona, but they seem a looser weave than the prints. Is this true? I can't think of any reason, so it must be me...

toverly

I have thought the same thing. I love the colors of Kona Cotton Solids but they do seem to ravel more. I thought it was my imagination too.

dakotamaid

I wash mine first, seems to tighten up the weave a bit.

Dolphyngyrl

I think kona is a broadcloth so it is a looser weave, not sure about moda solids as i haven't used them.

luvTooQuilt

Ive never had a problem with either- but then again i hadnt noticed the change.. IM still using stash from a few years ago.. the older broadcloth is what i had issues with.. too thin..

Lee in Richmond

What they call broadcloth at Hancock's is, I think, a cotton/poly blend. Is that what you mean? What brand should I be buying to get as fine a cloth as these prints (which are from different lines)?

ManiacQuilter2

OK, Kona cotton is 100% cotton made by Robert Kaufman. The best place to find it is Hancock's of Paducah @ $5.98 a yard. It is NOT a broadcloth which has polyester in it. You can see the cheap broadcloth they sell at the huge chain fabric stores that we all get flyers and emails from.

Jingle

I use to buy broadcloth years ago to make shorts. It was never thin, I found it to be heavier than 100% cotton. I do think it had polyester in it, all of it's good qualities is why I used it for shorts. The old 100% cotton was almost impossible to iron the wrinkles out of.
I don't buy name brand fabrics as they don't seem to be better quality than the cheaper fabrics I buy. I always buy by feel.

carolynjo

have many pieces of cotton from the 50's and the feel of them is so much different than the present cottons. Just made in the USA so long ago, I suspect.

Pattia

at my not so LQS I found name brand designer fqs that were rough and open and personally not so nice of a 'hand' than some. I asked who they were made by, but they were in a tied bundle and she couldn't see. So I guess even name brand doesn't always mean quality?