even with Kona solids there are a variety of weights/weaves/qualities-
some of the ones at Joannes are good medium weight fabrics- some are very thin-(not so great) the same can be true in most any shop-

Yup. I agree with this totally. I suspect our store doesn't even carry the real stuff.

I have purchased a whole bolt at Joann's (with coupon) for the white connecting hexagons in my GFG and for the applique on my Whitework Sampler. I noticed it seems a bit hard to hand-sew compared to my regular quilting cottons. Is that because it is a tighter weave or something? I love the feel of it, but it is a bugger to hand-sew. I bought another partial bolt at another Joann's and they are both a bit different. One is thicker and seems to have a bit of texture (at least, the weave is more noticeable) and that one I haven't tried yet, and the other seems more like a good quality sheet. That is the one I currently am using. Both say Kona Cotton, made in Pakistan. Nowhere do I see Robert Kaufman. The price on the end of the bolt was $6.99.

This topic pops up in forums from time to time but I will tell you that RK has responded on their site and blog as well as on quilting board: http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...-t33854-4.html stating all customers receive the same quality Kona Solids, so I would definitely not pay more for them at a quilt shop. There's a huge selection at Yoder's Department Store in Shipshewana (a good few hours drive from me but available online) and they charge about the same as JoAnns & Hobby Lobby maybe a little more, but for the variety of colors and excellent customer service, I'll gladly pay for it. I've not seen it at the $11+ listed on other post entries anywhere.

If your local JoAnns does not have the quality you expect, let RK know. I have purchased from Hobby Lobby and have been very pleased with the quality. Our local JoAnns rarely has any stock and I have purchased RK muslin that was included in their Kona section & the label wasn't all that clear---but that was a couple years ago. It's been straightened out at our local store since. Between the two, I'd rather shop Hobby Lobby any day.

JAs does have a much cheaper quality that they carry & it's in the same area so your local shops may be out of stock, too. I think it's called country something and it's see through...no where near the quality of RK solids even though there may be some signage in the area or customers may put the lesser quality back in the wrong spot. I use this RK Kona on everything, even have plans to redo the boys' room with some soon. It's a beautiful weight, gorgeous colors & excellent quality. I haven't been disappointed in my RK Kona purchases yet....now if I could just get a hold of one of those color cards, I'd be a happy camper because I buy the very same shade of blue every single time I make it up to Shipshewana!! LOL

Okay, leave it to me to be different but I don't like Kona cottons. They tend to ravel too easily. However, I LOVE the Kona Bay cottons.

I agree with this post whole heartedly. Always check the end of the bolt!

I buy Mine from Hancocks of Paducah when they have free shipping. I buy black and snow by the bolt. You get a discount buying large amount plus you are guaranteed that it is all dyed the same. The fabric fom Joanns is definitely not the same.

I know the website says they are ALL the same Kona, but I question this still. Knock-offs are made everyday and the quality of the stuff at Hobby Lobby is horrid....

...and the stuff at my Joann Fabrics is definitely not the same as RK Kona. It's not even close.

I have purchased the "Kona" from Joann's and it frays and ravels something terrible! I have purchased Robert Kaufman Kona online and haven't had the same issues.