I recently read a blog post where someone actually called Kaufman fabrics and asked specifically if the kona cotton at Joann's was the same. They were told it was exactly the same. I'll try to find the blog post. I do have both (from Joann's and from a quilt shop) and have compared them side by side and they feel the same to me.

That was quick. I found the post-it's the question right after the picture of the color card.

http://www.trueup.net/?p=2070

I actually never bought it at Joann's before I read this because I was sure it was not as good but after seeing that, I started buying it there.

Does the one at your Joann's say Kaufman on the bolt? The ones at my local Joann's do not (but the Kaufman Kona Muslin does specifically say Kaufman on the bolt). The stock may vary by store.

Yes they say Kaufman Fabrics Kona Cotton and the color name, which has so far always corresponded with the same color swatch on my color card.

At our store they have the Kona cotton bolts mixed in with the stuff called "Quilter's Cotton" so I have to check every bolt to make sure I'm not getting the wrong stuff.

That's the difference then. Some Joann's sell the Kauaman brand and some just sell their own brand of Kona. Their own brand is similar to the Quilter's Cotton you mention. Not nearly as nice as the Kaufman.

This is not quite accurate. Kona ® Cotton Solids brand is made by the Robert Kaufman Co., Inc. and is solids only. The other Kona fabrics that you mention are the products of Kona Bay Fabrics. They are not the same company at all.

That same question came up on the board earlier this year. You can find a much more detailed and verifiable response that the Robert Kaufman Company posted directly to our members here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-33854-3.htm#746926