willferg

If you really want the answer to the Kona question, read this:

http://www.swatchandstitch.com/thequ...0kona%20cotton

Pudge

Very interesting, thanks.

mjpEncinitas

From the Robert Kaufman link Pudge kindly shared with us:
Robert Kaufman uses the same quality greige and dyes for all customers purchasing Kona Cotton Solids - all customers receive the same product. We have never produced a lesser grade of Kona for any customer. All seconds are rejected prior to leaving the mill.

ladyinpurple135

Aha!!! I was right - there is no second quality Kona fabrics. Which means that the "Kona" sold in Joann's is not the real stuff (I've had disagreements with friends about this.). If it doesn't say Robert Kaufmann on the bolt it is not the real thing.

I purchased a bolt of the "real" Kona Snow several years ago at Mary Jo's in Gastonia, NC to use for red work. Just love the feel and the color is perfect - doesn't blind you with WHITE (yes, I did shout that). And the feel is terrific. Any of the colors is perfect for piecing, especially the white, snow, etc. because of its weight - no show through. Think I'll go get a bolt of the black one of these days (Hello, Santa - here's my list!!). And im going to reprint the Kaufmann info in my guild's newsletter to stop people purchasing all the crap fabrics.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC - up way way too late trying to learn/relearn how,to email pictures from my new iPad Air2

equigle5

Wilferg thank you for that link. Nice information to have. It's great to be an informed shopper so as not to buy lesser quality. I love RK Kona solids. Great variety and quality

GailG

Well, this answers my question as to why my DGS's graduation quilt was heavier than the quilts I make. Three of the fabrics I used in the quilt were Kona solids -- red, black, and gray. This was a very interesting article. Thanks.

Ladyinpurple, have you ever used the Kona Ivory? I love it as much as the Snow. I don't like bright whites, so these are my go-to whites. I've also used Cream.

Geri B

Just wondering....if JAF calls some of its solids KONA, and they are not mfgrd by Kaufman, I am presuming KONA is not copyrighted or patented or whatever the legal term for that word/process is and can be used by any distributor?????

donna13350

I have been buying "dream cotton" from Marshall dry goods..it's only 3.99 a yard a has a wonderful hand to it..I like it as well or better than any Kona I've purchased.

willferg

What Kaufman was saying in its corporate response is that it is the sole manufacturer of Kona cotton and it provides the same quality of fabric to Joann's as it does to all other stores. People don't seem to want to believe that, but that's straight from the manufacturer, who ought to know...

Girlfriend

AND, Kona is a registered trademark, so if it says "Kona", it's made by Robert Kaufman.