Kona Fabrics and Robert Kaufman Fabrics
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Somewhere near the water in beautiful Michigan
Posts: 772
Originally Posted by katier825
Originally Posted by OdessaQuilts
It wouldn't be so distressing if these lines weren't so gosh-darned expensive! Am I right? When I'm paying $12.00+ per yard for Kaufmann and the quality slips, but the price doesn't, then I just have to stop buying it. But I make sure that the shop owners know why I'm not spending my $$ with them for that reason.
I'm sorry, but there is something inherently wrong with that. I do not begrudge a company the opportunity to make a profit for good quality products. But I have a big problem with seeing my money spent on things that benefit other countries while my neighbors suffer without jobs.
I do my best to shop at the LQS whenever I can. Those ladies in there are my neighbors and if they are unemployed, who do you suppose is contributing tax dollars to provide for them? But I will not be badgered into purchasing a "name brand" when they don't even have the company pride to keep the quality at a high level. I refuse to pay more for less quality.
#22
Originally Posted by emmy
You might want to try Connecting Threads. I'm new to quilting, but have been sewing for many years. Was hesitant to order online, because I counldn't 'feel' it. The CT fabric is made in America, and as shavery mentioned it feels like silk. It has a lovely hand to it and is reasonably priced.
Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: currently central new jersey
Posts: 8,623
Originally Posted by Favorite Fabrics
I checked the bolts on my shelf and they are either marked Thailand or Indonesia. None say Pakistan.
I may be wrong, but I think I heard, or read, that almost all of the greige goods - raw cotton fabric - is from Pakistan. Perhaps it is the dyeing and finishing portion of the job that has been moved to Thailand or Indonesia?
As to quality solids, I rather like RJR's Cotton Supreme. To my hands, it feels softer than Kona Cotton (though it isn't as well known as a brand).
I may be wrong, but I think I heard, or read, that almost all of the greige goods - raw cotton fabric - is from Pakistan. Perhaps it is the dyeing and finishing portion of the job that has been moved to Thailand or Indonesia?
As to quality solids, I rather like RJR's Cotton Supreme. To my hands, it feels softer than Kona Cotton (though it isn't as well known as a brand).
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: currently central new jersey
Posts: 8,623
Originally Posted by shaverg
I just bought Kona and Kaufman from my LQS. Still was great the Kona Bay felt like silk.
#26
The bolts of Kona Cotton I bought two months ago are all marked "Made in Thailand". The bolts of Kona Cotton I bought two YEARS ago are all marked "Made in Thailand". No change in country of origin or in quality of goods and actually a 9.5% DECREASE in price. The bolts I have of Moda Marbles, btw, are marked "Made in Japan".
#27
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Orchard Park, NY (near Buffalo, which is near Niagara Falls)
Posts: 3,884
Originally Posted by butterflywing
Originally Posted by Favorite Fabrics
I checked the bolts on my shelf and they are either marked Thailand or Indonesia. None say Pakistan.
I may be wrong, but I think I heard, or read, that almost all of the greige goods - raw cotton fabric - is from Pakistan. Perhaps it is the dyeing and finishing portion of the job that has been moved to Thailand or Indonesia?
As to quality solids, I rather like RJR's Cotton Supreme. To my hands, it feels softer than Kona Cotton (though it isn't as well known as a brand).
I may be wrong, but I think I heard, or read, that almost all of the greige goods - raw cotton fabric - is from Pakistan. Perhaps it is the dyeing and finishing portion of the job that has been moved to Thailand or Indonesia?
As to quality solids, I rather like RJR's Cotton Supreme. To my hands, it feels softer than Kona Cotton (though it isn't as well known as a brand).
I'm not aware that Kaufman is making two different grades, one for the chains and one for the quilt shops. I'd be rather surprised if they were doing that.
#28
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 92
Originally Posted by Favorite Fabrics
I'm not aware that Kaufman is making two different grades, one for the chains and one for the quilt shops. I'd be rather surprised if they were doing that.
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: VA
Posts: 514
I called Robert Kaufman and spoke to someone after they failed to reply to my e-mail, and when I posed the question to a Roy Castro he hung up on me. I called back and spoke to someone else who told me that they only sell first quality Kona and Robert Kaufman and that fabric is the same in all the stores that carry the lines. By law they cannot sell less than first quality without labeling it as such. The woman I spoke to from Kaufman whose name I neglected to get has promised me that someone will contact me. We'll see!
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: VA
Posts: 514
I couldn't believe it when I answered the phone a little after six last nite. A lady named Vivian from Robert Kaufman apologized for Mr Castro's rudeness and proceded to tell me that they only sell first quality goods. They do not deal "greige" or "grey" goods. Production in Pakistan ceased in '08. They moved production to Thailand and became aware of the quality problems with the two fabrics early on. Because they were unable to correct these problems they have now moved to mills in Indonesia. They can no longer produce goods in Pakistan as the mills are no longer available. She did not elaborate why. She said they have only one quality and sell the same to JoAnn's, Hancocks, LQS etc. They do not sell any lesser quality under the Kona or Robert Kaufman name.
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