Kona cottons vs Moda solids?
 

I need to order some solids. Is there a difference between Moda or Kona solids other than just a brand name?

I like both - however it seems to me that the Joann's Kona's seem a little more stiff to me - but I've purchased Kona cottons from a LQS and they are much softer. I like the Moda Bella Solids too - I would just go with price or color.

I like Kona cottons better. They just seem thicker and nicer.

I also like Kona best. It is about the only solid I use.

I too prefer Kona solids.

I just got some bleached white Kona solid for the first time and I'm not a fan. It's stiff, wrinkles like crazy and is somewhat see through.

I agree with Teresa. I buy my Kona cotton from Hancock's of Paducah especially during their 20% off sale. Their Kona is Regular Price: $6.49 Per Yard but is on special Price: $5.47 Per Yard at least today. They have hundreds of colors that RK has produced. Check it out and sign up for their sale notification by email. :)

I like the colors available from both brands, but find that the Moda solids ravel horribly. I'm pretty much done with them and will be using Kona, Northcott or Marcus Brothers solids in the future.

This doesn't sound right unless it really changed over the last year or so. Actually it is a bit on the thick and heavy side which makes it sometimes not my favorite to use if I need small pieces.

I prefer the Kona solids.

joanne's tends to have Kona labels on their solids- *like kona means solid* but they are not Kona Solids---they are made in China solid fabrics. if you purchase *real* kona solids they will be substantial- good medium weight, color fast fabrics- kona's are not thin- see through- low quality fabrics. moda also makes some nice solids but I generally choose the Kona's when the color I need is available. even the deepest colors are color fast- blacks/reds do not fade, or bleed seem almost permanent press- I've never had one that was 'wrinkly' . they are my first choice. I do on occasion pick up one of the Moda's ...they are ok too- but around here tend to be quite a bit more expensive.

I don't know what color you plan to purchase, but I have become a fan of Michael Miller solids, especially the jet black. It has a nice hand and doesn't ravel.

I guess I am the "odd man out", but I prefer Moda's Bella solids. To me, they have a much softer and luxurious feel than Kona. I order them from Thousands of Bolts for under $5 per yard all the time.

I think I remember there is a difference in some of the quality of Kona...does anyone know for sure? I like to feel my fabric to be sure.

I love Kona cotton for solids and always bought it from Fabric.com for $5.48/yard and used coupons all the time, but sadly these days (after they have been bought by Amazon) I can't find any coupons.

I like bella solids more than Kona. Also check out connecting threads solids. They are great and cheaper too,

I prefer moda, Kona seems to have raveling issues. Try both and see what you think!

LD,
I wonder if a worker wound a cheaper white on a Kona board by mistake? I love Kona, &, if anything, I find it a bit thick (especially for fine appliqué ). And I have NEVER had any that was see-through!
Good luck! BTW, I've been quilting since 1978!

If it is true "KONA" it has a Robert Kauffman label on the bolt. Check for a past thread on this with a Kauffman representative commenting. JoAnn's is not true Kona. My preference is for KONA, so many colors.

I prefer Moda Bella solids. I buy mine at Whittles. In the store they are $4.50 a yard. They may be $5.00 online. They are soft and not too thin.

I have only used Kona Black. Cutting it made such a horrible mess on my mat, I doubt I will every use it again. I also have some Bella Black that I have not cut as yet, don't see how it could possibly make a bigger mess than the Kona. However, a color comparison, showed the Kona color closer to a Dark Charcoal and the Moda more of an intense Black.

I actually took a picture of the bolt in case I needed more fabric later. It looks like a real Kona to me. Maybe I am just picky, this is the first time I've ever used just a plain white in my quilts so I may not be used to the fact that it is so much lighter in color than other fabrics. I don't like the feel of it, its not very soft. Oh well, I got it on sale at a vacuum and fabric shop for $6.95 a yard, can't really beat that! I hope I won't need anymore of it for the two quilts I am working on though because I wouldn't buy it again.

I prefer Moda , a lot softer .

I prefer Kona because it's a stiffer fabric so it's easier to work with. I use black Kona by the bolt all the time, and sometimes the white too.

People on here keep saying that Joann's Kona isn't the "real" Kona but I've had cuts from Joann's and cuts from Fabric.com at the same time and I did a careful comparison under bright lights and I can't tell the fabric apart. Same hand (feel), same thread count, same colors, same type of selvedge finish. Identical as far as I can tell. I mix them in quilts all the time and they wash/wear identically. Once I've cut the fabric off the bolt I can't tell if it's "Fabric.com" Kona or "Joann's" Kona. So I am convinced that they're the same. Joann's has it regular price 7.99; when I get a 50% off coupon (and their Kona isn't already on sale) I buy a bolt of black and/or a bolt of white, depending on how many coupons I have and which of them I'm running lowest on.

Joann's does carry "cotton broadcloth" and some other solids that are definitely NOT Kona - much thinner and coarser weave, and the colors look "muddy" to me. But the ones specifically marked Kona appear to be "the real deal", and if not then it's so close that I can't tell them apart even when I'm specifically looking for differences.

Hi Lucky!

See that "PFD" on the label? You have "prepared for dying" fabric there, not standard quilting Kona. I've never handled it but that MIGHT be why the texture seems odd?

I use solids a lot and have for many years. These are the differences, and the similarities, I have noticed between Kona Cotton Solids and Moda Bella Solids. These are from my experience only; others may have drawn different conclusions.

• Both are 60 square broadcloth.
• Moda Bella has a softer hand off the bolt, but they are very similar when prewashed/washed.
• Moda Bella has a slight sheen to the surface that can give the finished work a softer, more refined appearance.
• Kona Solids tighten up, and soften up, when prewashed/washed.
• Kona Solid colors can vary, sometimes quite noticeably, between dye lots (no experience with Bella on this point).

And a note to Lucky about Kona PFD...it's chemical free. That's what makes it 'prepared for dyeing'. The absence of chemicals means it doesn't have the wrinkle inhibitors, softeners, insect repellants, formaldehyde, and other chemicals that standard quilting cottons (including Kona Solids) do. And that's why it seems more stiff and wrinkly to you. Hope that helps. :)

Great info here!! I always wondered how the two lines compared and didn't know about the PFD labelling.
Thanks for the enlightening comments!!

This topic of "are the Kona cottons at Joann's really from Robert Kaufman" has come up many times before. Here's a link to a response from Robert Kaufman to QB readers:

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

That thread, however, does not take into consideration that several QB members have subsequently seen employees at JoAnn's wrapping solids from 'unknown manufacturers' around empty Robert Kaufman Kona® Cotton bolts.

link to the relevant post in that thread
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...tml#post746926

I appreciate the info about PFD as im allergic to formaldehyde!

I tend to lean towards Moda solids. I've had problems with Kona bleeding but not with Moda. Just my take on the subject.

So I am another odd man out - I usually use Moda Bella solids, but then I am also in Moda Country!

Lots of good information here. Things to look for next time I shop.

Oh I had no idea, thanks for the info! Do you think it's OK to use as just white? I've already pieced with some of it and I bought 5.5 yards! I hope it's OK to use...

A community quilt class I am in did a comparison with Kona, Joann's and HL. Kona of course was the best. Our instructor actually called Kaufman Fabrics and they said if it says Kona and it is on the original bolt, it is theirs whether at Joann's or an LQS. I can't comment on whether anyone rewinds a bolt with other fabric.

I like both Kona and and Moda solids. BUT, did you know that there is a cotton fabric grown and made here in the U.S. American Made Brand (AMB) established in 20013 which is a division of Clothworks. There is a collection of 50 colors (all solids). The cotton is grown here, spun here, woven here and dyed here. You can check it out at www.americanmadebrand.com Some retailers now have the fabric in stock and the prices I have seen is 6 dollars and some change. American made is important to me and many people I know. I have not tried the fabric yet, but you can bet I will!! Just something to think about.

I use Kona cotton because I buy the color chart. I can easily match the color I need to order on line. My LQS seldom has the exact color I need. I use lots of Kona Snow. I now buy that from Hobby Lobby as it is less expensive with the 40% off coupon. I do check the bolt at HL to be sure it is Kaufman. The Kona Snow is exactly the same as that I buy from the LQS.

Rewinding a bolt with a non-Kona solid? That's just not right....

I prefer Kona. It has a nicer feel. A long time ago in an applique class the instructor said she preferred Kona because it has an even weave. Yesterday I needed a gray and the LQS didn't have it so I got the Moda. In my opnion, it's ok and it's not ravelly or anything, but it seems thinner.

Kona is definitely my choice!

It's the same as using a prewashed bleached white Kona. No problem at all.