Can anyone tell me the diff. between the regular Kona cotton (too rough for me) and the Kona Pimatex? Is the Pimatex thinner, softer, what? I ask because I was trying to find Southern Belle muslin online and the page that came up also had both kinds of Kona. It just didn't tell the difference between them. Now I am confused. Thanks!

I think Pima has a higher thread count-feels smoother and softer.

Kona cotton is a 60x60 thread count...the weight is 4.4 oz per sq yard. Kona Pimatex is a 133x72 thread count..the weight is 3.7 oz per sq yard. That's not reversed, the Pimatex is lighter weight.

Ok, so softer, yet thinner. Hmmm. I am going to need some black to finish my oldest son's crazy log cabin. I need it for the sashing, but the blocks themselves are on a muslin foundation. Which would be better to keep consistancy on the feel of the top. I am planning on entering it into the fair and don't want to get counted off for uneveness in the thickness of the overall quilt.

Have you considered Moda Bella for the sashing? It's a 60x60 broadcloth, like the regular Kona, but it has a much softer hand due to more tightly twisted threads and a nice silky glow (not a sheen) to the surface.

Kona's roughness is due to loosely twisted threads and it does soften up quite a bit after washing and machine drying. I've used both Kona and Bella in the same quilt, and they play very well together, despite their 'twisted' differences. :lol:

Once your quilt is finished, I don't think the thickness differences would be very noticeable, if at all, but if you don't like using resular Kona, I think maybe you should take a look at the Bella over the Pimatex. I can send you a sample of Bella and regular Kona in the same color if that would help you decide.

Just a note, because of the prominant grain of the Pimatex (unequal thread numbers in warp and weft), cutting can be tricky and stretching can be significant. Something to consider for a show quilt.

I guess I will skip the Pimatex. Quiltworks Northwest has both the Bella and the Kona. I don't know if they have Southern Belle muslin, too, but I have been looking for an excuse to get up there! Ghostrider, that was so sweet of you to offer me the samples! Another reason to love this group!

Hey, if we didn't still have loads of snow here, I'd have sent a hosta with it, too. ;) Glad you found a reason for a road trip!!

Do you love hostas, too? I am so excited with all the eyes poking up already! I have several to get planted that I got last month at the PNW garden show.

And Quiltworks NW didn't have the Bella in black, but they did have some Bali black batik! I got some of that. It is not see-through, which I love, but it isn't heavy weight either. And no Southern Belle. Wah!