Kona Solid Fabrics
 

I am going to be taking Amy Gibson's class she teaches on her website next year and she is using Kona Solid Fabrics. I was wondering if anyone has used these fabrics and what they think of them.

I usually stay away from solids because they are so thin. I was wondering if they are a better fabric then most solids.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

I love Kona solids. They are not thin at all. I would reccomend them.

Depends on where you buy them. I agree with you; some of the so-called Kona that Joann's sells I wouldn't buy either. But I suspect Amy uses Kaufman Kona, which is a much better product. There has actually been a lot of conversation about the Kona name lately, and Kaufman (the manufacturer) says they have a trademark on that name. I've seen bolts of solid cottons in Joann's with "Kona" on the bolt end, but nowhere will you find "Kaufman" on that same bolt, and it's not the same good quality.

If you still would like to use solids for your class, purchase the Kaufman Kona at your LQS and make sure it says "Kaufman" on the bolt. Or, you could use Moda Bella solids, which I personally prefer.

I have used Kona solids from JoAnn's store and online.....found no difference and loved the thickness/feel of the fabric....I can't attest to Kaufman Kona, but will always buy Kona from JoAnn

I quilt with a lot of solids, but also prefer Moda Bella solids.

Kaufman Kona is wonderful to work with and not at all thin. My LQS doesn't carry it, so I buy mine at either fabric.com or Hancocks of Paducah. Both of them usually have it priced at about $5 - $5.50 a yard. I'm not going to get into the whole Joann/Kona issue, but if you're interested in it you should do a search here for the many posts on that subject including a response from Robert Kaufman.

I recently used some Kona solids for the first time - brand name but can't remember which. I was very pleased with the hand of them and didn't find them thin at all.

My only problem was telling the right from wrong side. Not sure there is a right or wrong with these fabrics.

Best of all, if you need to match a color, which I did, there is a tremendous selection of colors. I'm lucky that the store where I purchased them carries a large line of them.

I like Kona solids. I've bought them at Hancocks of Paducah online, my LQS and Joanns. To me they are all the same. Easy to work with, but as mentioned, hard to tell right side from wrong side. I figure if I can't tell it doesn't matter. :)

I've also used Moda Bella solids and like them too. I've also bought them at Hancocks and the LQS. No difference there either.

Missouri Star Quilt Co. has a large inventory of Kona solids. Often they even have colors listed as out of stock on their website if you call and ask.

I use Kauffman Kona solids and Moda Bella solids and like them both. Just ordered a bunch of Bella from Missouri Quilt Co. and picked up some Kona white and black from Joann with a coupon.

I but at Joannes too... they have KONA 100% cotton for $7.99 and Quilters Legacy 100% cotton is $5.99 and Cuntry Classic is also 100% cotton for $4.99
I have bought all three and specifically watched for the difference. I always pre wash everything. Then I iron to get out wrinkles and fold until use. I then lay the fabric out and cut the strips/squares as needed. Then I spray starch them and press (not iron) then begin sewing them together. I press/set seams, the press them open or sideways.

In the end...the only difference I see is the Country Classic fabric (which is the thinnest of all three) and doesn't "starch" and stay firm as the other two. I don't see very little difference in Kona and Legacy...so for the diff of $2 a yard... I usually stick with the Legacy. So far, I have been very happy with it and it doesn't stretch or get out of wack. The Kona feels thicker on the bolt over the LEgacy, but once washed and working with...I don't feel a difference in the fabric at all.

And if I use the Joann's coupon for 40-60% off a regular priced item (fabric being "Item" is a length of fabric, no matter how long, just no cuts) so even if you specifically want the Kona...catch it on "regular" or watch for the sale price.

I also prefer the bella solids. But I do love kaufman kona " Snow" love to embroider on it.

True Kona Cotton Solids are made only by Robert Kaufman, that's the only brand name. As for right and wrong side, Kona Solids are yarn dyed so there is no difference at all between the sides.

I signed up for Amy's BOM for next January and got her email about using Kona solids. I've used Kona solids and found them to be pretty thick. I am going to be using them for her class also. I am going to be copying Amy. I did her Craftsy BOM and used the same fabric as she used and really like my quilt.

But, I also bought a lot of 1/2 yards of solids from Connecting Threads and I think I might use those instead. I bought a few yards of grey, which she said to buy, and I have a few yards of Kona white, which she suggested, so I'm set to go with her class. But the Connecting Threads solid fabric is pretty thin compared to the Kona Solids, so I'm not sure which I'll use yet, but I'm using solids for sure. Since it's a mystery block pretty much, I want to do what Amy is doing.

Kona solids are nice, thick and wonderful! My quilting guild made a quilt from them and that quilt is now up for donations for a children's charity. It only has 11 donations and had collected $313. Each person that donates will be entered in a drawing for for the quilt. Wish us luck, we have 2 1/2 weeks to reach our goal.
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Kona is the best!!!! I love them enjoy you class

I emailed her and she said you could use any fabric, but I have never done a solid quilt so I thought this was a good chance. It will be easier to follow. I am looking forward to the class. I did her Craftsy class and she is so easy going makes it a fun class.

Very pretty quilt. Thanks everyone for the information. I ordered the Kaufman Kona solids online so I am sure it will be fine. I will try the others that you have suggested on another project in the future to compare.ave

I have to go to the doctor tomorrow and it is close to Joann's so I will stop in and look around I have never found a decent solid there, but maybe I am not looking in the right place.

Just this afternoon I found Kona solids at Hobby Lobby and thought them to be of much nicer quality than the ones carried at JoAnn's--softer and thicker. Price was $7.99. There were lots of colors to chose from. I plan to try them in my next project. I just need to return with my main fabrics to do some matching.

I just did 4 quilts, and have about 6 doll quilts, using jar pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company black kona and really liked it. I have black dust and threads all over my design wall, me, sewing machine and floor, but that is the price of doing all that cutting and sewing.

Before I knew any better, I was buying the cheap solids, and then I discovered Kona. It truly is a great fabric to work with and it's the only solid I buy now. Yes, I get it from Joann ... is it Kaufman Kona? I don't know - but I do know it's the best solid they carry and I like working with it.

Are you *sure* it's yarn dyed? I once got a bolt of sable brown Kona (from Kaufman, not from JoAnn's) and on one side, there were lots of paler spots. I would think they were what happens when during the manufacturing process not all of the "fuzz" is removed, and after the fabric is dyed, then if the fuzz is brushed off, paler spots are left.

The other side of the fabric was just fine. And that was the only time I've ever run into that problem with any of Kaufman's fabrics. Actually, I don't think I ever ran into it with any other quilt-shop brands either. I did see it happen quite a lot with Springs Quilters Only solids.

And I agree, there isn't a right side or wrong side with Kona cotton. Both seem the same to me!

This may not be true any more -
but several years ago, the dye lots did not seem to be consistent -
so, if you can, buy as much as you need of one color all off the same bolt.

It does feel 'heftier' to me than most of the other quilting cottons I have. I think it's too bulky to use for small piece applique work.

I love the Kona cottons.

Where are you buying Kona? I have NEVER had thin Kona and it is my preferred "go to" for a solid, especially for the cost. If you are buying from JoAnn's that could be the problem. In the past, this was discussed on this board. You might want to check out the old threads for more information. Bought Kona yesterday at Hobby Lobby at 30% off and the heft is what I expect. I don't use any other solids unless I already have them.

That's what they claim, but I don't have proof, no.

I also have Kona Solids in lots of colors and they are not thin and work really well. I really love Kona Cotton.

Kona cottons sold at Hobby Lobby retail for $7.99, but are one of their "always 30% off" deals so $5.59. They are by Robert Kaufman and I like them much better than the Classic cottons sold there. I used to work at my local Hobby Lobby and miss my discount, but still go there for lots of my fabric since it's right up the street.

Kona solids are the best, in my opinion! I always buy them at our local Hancock's or online at Fabric.com. Fabric.com currently has them for $5.48/yard, which I consider to be a good deal. I think you will like working with them. They have a good hand.

Thanks Ghost. It was the Kaufman then. I'm happy about the right/wrong side issue as I know I upended a few of the pieces. :)

I have never bought Kona. I very seldom ever use solids, but it seems to me they are always very thin. That is why I was questioning if a better fabric would not be that way. I have even bought solids at LQS's that were thin, but I never paid attention to the brand I was buying. Thanks for all the help.

Thanks for this suggestion Jackie. I'd imagine that it provides a better surface for embroidery than a regular quilting cotton which is what I've been using.

Actually these have the opposite, a little on the thick side making them a little harder to work with. A good hot and heavy irong and spray starch will help. At times you might decide to press the seams open. As for the end result, I think you will like it. No whimpy fabric here. Besure to get the Kaufman Kona solids. I think Joan's caries the other one and that is flimsy.I made this baby quilt with solids, many Kona, and I could clearly see if it was Kona or not and I agree most other solids are flimsy.

Anna, your quilt is beautiful. I never thought to use just solids but it's a really dramatic effect.

I use kona white solid alot with applique and there is just a slight difference on one side from the other...one side has
a little more sheen to it, but if you use the other side noone will know the difference! When putting it on a dark background I either double the piece, or use a stabilizer on the back so the dark doesn't show through. Love kona!
I have always gotten mine from fabrics.com, on sale

Some people have already stated this but Missouri Star Quilt Co has a large line of Bella Solids and Kona Solids by Robert Kaufman. If you need any help please call us and we can help. 888-571-1122. Have fun in class!!!

Use Kaufman Kona Solids and you will really like the texture of them. They are available at most Hobby Lobby stores.

I really love the Kona Cottons. If you like them I would highly recommend getting their color chart. They are kind of hard to find. I found mine at Pink Chalk. :)

I use the Kona prepared for dying fabric and the only place I was able to find it was Joann's on the website by the bolt.

I have used their other Kona cottons when I need a solid and have found no difference either with the quality between the LQS if they even have it or Joanns. I don't like a lot of the thinner ones that the LQS's carry, and those carry well known brand names.

Anna--I love your quilt!!!

I got started with Kona solids and have been pleased. I buy online at Fabric Shack. They have a good price and low shipping. I label my collection with the color name so that if I wanted more I can order it without confusion. It's nice to be able to order more and get a matching color. I would love to have a card with all the colors--but those are usually expensive. Enjoy your class!

One more time! I recently had a rather long e-mail exchange with a representative from KONA. She told me that if the bolt says KONA, it is the same quality wherever you buy it--JoAnn, Hobby Lobby, LQS. The company wants to know if someone is selling counterfeits, i.e., fabric that claims to be KONA and isn't. Check the end of the bolt for the manufacturer. As Peckish said, "Make sure it says Kaufman." The KONA rep also said she is constantly amazed at the quantity of bad information that circulates on the Internet about fabric. If you suspect a counterfeit, Google KONA and find the contact us button. KONA is fine fabric. froggyintexas