Black Fabric
 

Would like recommendations on purchasing a deep, rich, black fabric. Which fabric line is best? I want to use it in making a shadow box quilt.

I did a Day and Night quilt last year for DS & DDIL and used Kona. I was very pleased with the depth of color. Did not bleed either

I've been using Kona because I can get it at Joann's at a decent price. But, I always have cat fur stuck all over it. Wish I could find a nice black that doesn't attract cat fur.

I buy first quality Kona from Fabric Shack or Hancock of Paducah. Shipping is Free with a $35.00 purchase from Hancock this summer and $3.00 from Fabric Shack for a priority flat rate envelope. The Kona cotton is less expensive and a better quality than JAF carries. Anything at JAF that is a an nondescript cardboard bolt is second quality fabric. I use to work for House of Fabric.

Just be sure to buy more than enough because black is very hard to match even from the same store!!
Been There, Done That!! :)

I have bought the black Kona from Hancock's of Paducah. It is very colorfast and a bit better quality than the Kona from JoAnn's IMHO.

Kona black from Robert Kaufman, definitely. Find it at Hancocks of Paducah, on special right now for $5.47 yd.

http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/s.nl...na+black+solid

Jan in VA

I like Kona black too! I do prewash just to be safe on bleeding dye.

Another vote for Kona black! I use it a lot - I buy mine by the bolt from Joann's when I can get it for half off. I've peered at it under a magnifying glass and an Ott light and compared it to Kona from elsewhere and I can't tell there's any difference at all. Never had it bleed on me.

This is on a post from 01-23-2010

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...-t33854-4.html


Robert Kaufman
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We hope you don’t find this to be an intrusion on your privacy, but we saw this discussion, and thought we could help clear up some confusion on several issues pertaining to our Kona® Cotton Solids brand.

What is presented here is an official response from Robert Kaufman Co., Inc., to be posted and hopefully correct the inaccuracies brought to our attention, as well as answer some of the questions you might have had.

To begin with, Kona® Cotton is a brand that has been around for almost three decades. In that time, the brand has become synonymous with quality in the fabric and textile world.

Kona® Cotton Construction
Kona® Cotton is based on a standard cotton sheeting construction of 20 x 20 (20 singles) yarns and 60 x 60 thread count. However, this standard construction doesn’t provide the weight or bulk that Kona® is known for. To achieve this, we add extra yarn for a custom construction, which creates a higher thread count and adds to the overall bulk of the finished product. Our Kona® Cotton will therefore weigh more than standard cotton sheeting.

Certification
All Kona® cotton is dyed using reactive dyes and is processed and tested according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, satisfying the requirements of its product class. Click here to learn more about this testing http://www.oeko-tex.com/OekoTex100_P...dex.asp?cls=02

Country of Origin
Country of origin does not reflect upon quality whatsoever. We seek the highest quality for our Kona® Cotton brand, using only FIRST QUALITY goods, regardless of country. All of the countries we deal with are capable of producing the highest quality that we demand for our Kona® Cotton brand.

Not to be confused with Kona Cotton, Kona Premium Muslin is a high thread count muslin exclusively produced in Pakistan. Kona Cotton Solids, on the other hand, have never been produced in Pakistan, and are currently being woven and dyed in Indonesia and Thailand at mills that are capable of achieving the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. While we have discontinued production in China and Korea, some bolts may still bare those Countries of Origin on the label.

Greige Goods and the Production Process
“Greige” (pronounced “grey”) or “Greige goods” are simply terms to refer to fabric in the raw state, before bleaching, dyeing or finishing processes.

First quality goods can have variations in look and weaving pattern due to the different types of weaving machines that are used in weaving the greige goods. This difference in weave look in no way suggests a lesser quality, but only a difference in weaving style.

The first step in the dyeing process is called lab dipping. Lab dipping entails dipping a small swatch of fabric in dye to match a specific color standard. Sometimes many dips are necessary before a color is approved. Once approved, a bulk dye formulation is made. Bulk dyeing is done in lots. Lot sizes can be 2000 yards or more. This lab dipping process uses “prepared for dye” greige of the same quality that will ultimately be used for bulk production.

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.

Here are some examples of defects that would result in rejected goods:
Excessive slubs, knots, zippers, mis-weaves, contamination, holes, and color shading.

Millions of yards of Kona Cotton are produced and shipped throughout the U.S. and internationally. We are always striving to maintain the highest level of quality and provide the best product. We therefore ask you to bring to our attention any Kona Cotton that you feel does not live up to your expectations. Please send in a 3” square swatch of the quality you feel does not meet Kona® standards. We will provide you with a detailed analysis report – the results of our testing process.

Please send your swatch to:
Robert Kaufman Co., Inc.
Attn: Quality Control (re: Kona test)
129 W. 132nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90061

Robert Kaufman Certification Badge
Name: Attachment-61514.jpe Views: 3153 Size: 13.1 KB

I too am a huge fan of Kona black. Its my standard go to for solid black fabric. Very dark rich black color.

I too, like the Kona. However, Keepsake Q has an Amish black that I order all the time. It is a super saturated black that I really like.

I just recently ordered some fantastic deep black from Connecting Threads that looks and feels wonderful ! It is from the Quilters Candy Solids They have it for $4.96 a yard right now.

Hobby Lobby also carries Kona Cotton, and it is usually 30% off.

I wish I could find ANYTHING that doesn't attract cat hair! :)

Thank you for saving and resending this information. As a new member to the QB, I found this fascinating. As a long time user of Kona, having bought it from numerous stores, it's nice to know it's the same product regardless of where it is purchased.

I think Kona is the best!!

I'm different I like Moda Bella solid black

The best black I have purchased so far is Michael Miller's Jet Black. It is darker and deeper than any other black I have tried. I have also worked with Kona black. The Kona has a much "meatier" hand to it that I don't like. It seems heavier than my quilting cottons and produced a lot of strings when I cut it into strips. I much prefer using Michael Miller's Jet Black, which seems to have a hand closer to that of my other quilting fabrics.

I like Kona, Bella and Kaufmann (i think that is who it is but may be RJR) has a double dyed black that is really nice.

what prism said! love MM jet black

I don't use anything but Kona Black. I like it because it ALWAYS matches the last batch I bought, so I don't have to worry about what I have left over from my last order going to waste. That's a real plus when you quilt on a budget!

Thank you for all the input about black fabric. Looks like Kona is the overwhelming favorite. Will check out the sale at Hancock-Paducah. Also found the reprint of the Kona/Robert Kaufman post very interesting.

I love keepsake Quiltings Amish Black!!

Whatever fabric you decide on keep in mind that one black is not necessarily the same as another black, so if you want it all the same be sure you have plenty of the black from the same fabric bolt.

I love Kona Black...it is a true black. No matter when or where purchased the color is the same.

Yeah...I know of one thing but a quilt made out of vinyl just doesn't have much cuddle appeal! LOL So, since I have hairy animals, I have hairy quilts. Oh well. At least we're all cozy!

I find this to be true as well, across all Kona colors. They do a great job keeping things consistent.

I found a solid black backing fabric that has a silky feeling. Loved how it worked in my quilts. Still have a bit of it left and will be using it for my Bricks and Stones 4-patch blocks. Can't remember where I got it though but it does ravel somewhat. Only drawback I found with it. It didn't bleed, seems not to wrinkle too much and I know its 100 cotton. Sorry I can't remember where I got it though. I think it came from my local fabric store but I purchased it early last year so I doubt if she has any more.

I get my black from Keepsake Quilting. It's called Amish Black and is a rich black solid...under $7/yd

dd, when you find that cat-fur-free black fabric, please do a post with the name and source. LARGE caps so no one will miss what you have to say.

Thanks in advance from the servant of two extremely furry Ragdoll cats.

I love Kona and use a lot of black.

How about getting a BLACK cat ???? Have a GREAT Day !

Michael Miller's jet black is an awesome shade of black. It seems to be consistent in color.

However - for me - it shrank over two inches in width when I soaked it in hot water. These were pieces from different bolts purchased at different times.

One of the reasons that I "abuse" my fabrics before cutting them - I do not know if the recipient of the finished product will know how to "properly" care for the item - and I want the item to not give the recipient any unpleasant surprises after it has been washed.

I to love Kona solids, I use a lot of the white and have found the black very rich and color fast.

Very interesting post. I like it when a company stands up to let us know the way they create their exacting production so that we can be assured that our finished piece will be what we expected. Go Kaufman

I love Moda marbles and black is very nice for just about anything.

Get a black cat. Problem solved, Lol!

Kona. Usually buy mine at JAF or Hobby Lobby. I can't really see the difference in quality on the Kona bought at LQS and where I buy them.

Kona is my choice for black.

Kauffman Kona now has a deeper richer black called "Jet" I strongly recommend kona, I do like the weight, I find it blends better with the batiks I use. They always feel a little denser than regular quilting cotton