Solid Black Fabric - Kona or Moda?
 

I am asking for advice about your individual preference and why. Has anyone ever compared the shrinkage, thread count or feel of hand after many washings? Thanks for any input.

I have some Kona solid black and don't particularly like it. Kind of a heavy hand, and it sheds a lot of strings.

Michael Moore's Jet Black is supposed to be a much deeper, better black than others. That is the next one I am going to try.

I loved my kona solid black

LOL!!

I think you meant Michael Miller.

It's the only black I use. It's the deepest, darkest, blackest black. I LOVE it.

It's available at Hancock's
http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/Item...K#.UBAg35HBaSo

I've used Kona black in the past but once I touched Moda Bella solid I'll never buy Kona again. The Moda was silky and the Kona feels very coarse in comparison. I found the Moda Bella solid at www.thousandsofbolts.com for a really good price.

Oh, shoot. Michael MILLER!!! :D Thanks, MTS. (need more coffee.....need more coffee.....need more......)

The only black I buy is Amish black: http://www.keepsakequilting.com/prod...ACK-FABRIC.htm

It's amazing how black fabrics look so different when next to each other.

Great information, would never have thought to compare

I bought some Kona Black off someone on the board here. I thought the color was beautiful but it was a bit stiffer than I was expecting. Worked fine, though...can't complain. It was definitely BLACK!

Worked great with my Spiderman panels...

Kaufman's Kona Solids soften and tighten when washed, sounds like a contradiction but it isn't. Their black is deep, pure and matte.
Moda Bella solids are the same thread count as Kona (60x60), but have a softer hand and a shinier finish. With black, that can affect the appearance of the color. To me, it looks 'hard'.
RJR Supreme Solids are my new favorite. They combine the best of Moda and Kaufman, imo.
Those are the three I have used, including black in all three.

I have no idea who makes the Amish Black that Keepsake sells (Keepsake does not make fabric), or even if it's the same maker all the time, but it's well liked for sure. In 15 years, I have never seen a bolt labeled "Amish Black" in the store, but most of the solids they carry are Hoffman Konas and RJR, with a smattering of other brands.

wonderful information that I would never have thought of......

Man-o-man, you ladies are Great! I guess we can re-title this 50 shades of black, lol.

Another question about the Thousands of Bolts, darn it if they don't have 3 blacks that look the same but with different numbers. Any help on this? #1380, 1377, 1379.

That Amish black is talking to me.......... :)

I use Kona. Have not tried Moda. I tried Keepsake the one said to be used by Amish and it was thinner and wasn't as black as Kona. I did not use it. I think it's in my stash.

With the three Moda Bellas at Thousands of Bolts, #1380 is color 44, Peacoat; #1377 is color 99, Black; and #1379 is color 118, Washed Black. Hope that helps.

I have a call in to Keepsake to try and find out who makes the "Amish Black" they sell. Will relay what I find out.



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i tend to buy kona mainly because it is a couple dollars less than some of the others around here- also i've never had it bleed or fade
i like a couple of the other blacks but generally if i'm using alot of it the kona is a more cost effective way to go. if i need a small amount for a certain project i may go ahead & spend more on one of the other (designer) blacks but the ones i have tried have bled & faded with time.

I bought Kona recently and one thing I can about it is that when I washed it, it didn't bleed ONE BIT. I wash in hot water and that color catcher was as white coming out as it was going in. I washed 3 yards.

I was VERY PLEASED with that cause the last black print that I used (a Northcott) continued to bleed after I sewed it to my quilt. Now I have black streaks on my yellow border :( I'm usually careful about checking the bleed, but I missed that one big time.

I have always used Kona but may give one of the others a try.

Eclipse by Blank Quilting. Dyed to be true black vs all dyes thrown I to the vat to make "black"

Sandy

Michael Miller has a lovely black - BUT if you wash in hot water it has a LOT of shrinkage (over two inches WOF) - and I think it feels a bit coarse before it's washed.

I needed a certain color and used Kona. Went to a quilt show and saw Moda Bella and that was that. Love Moda Bella in every color I've tried.

Michael Miller's jet black solid is $1 cheaper than Hancock-Paducah at http://www.fabric.com. Also shipping free if one orders $35 or more + I think there's a 10% coupon available.

Go with whatever is your preference. A lot of us use Kona because of swaps - most people can get Kona and the blacks are usually pretty consistent and retains the black. However, Kona is thicker and sometimes a pain to use if you want to put hand embellishing on it. I prefer Moda for applique pieces, although either work for background. Both retain their black well.

I find it interesting that Keepsake as a rule doesnt divulge the manufacturers. Wo knows what their black really is. I suspect it may be Kona since theyve carried it for years - long before Moda Bella or MM jet.

They certainly aren't trying to hide anything and they're happy to tell you if you ask them. They carry only major manufacturers goods and do not cover up the bolt ends like some stores do. As I said earlier, their solids are primarily Kona and RJR with a few others that are also 'name brand'. It's been a couple months since I was last up there, so unfortunately I don't remember all of them. I believe Moda is one, however.

My RJR sales rep told me a couple of years back that it is the RJR Cotton Supreme that Keepsake sells as their black solid. We carry it in my store, and I do like it. It is soft to the touch, and does have a bit of a sheen to it (more so on one side than the other). The color does vary a bit from one dye lot to the next.

I always bought Kona because that is what I could get at the LQS and Joanns. I have never liked it, the Moda I have used is so much nicer. Now I have Kona I have to use up before buying more Moday.

The Kona at Joanns is not the Robert Kaufman Kona. Big difference

Good to know. I can only buy online. Wish I was closer to Keepsake

I like Kaufman Kona Black, It works great for me and I have also used Amish Black and it's another great one, it's just easier for me to get Kaufman Kona in my area.

I personally find Kona to be too stiff & hard -- not a good hand (IMHO). I always use Moda & love it... in any color!

I hate the feel of Kona black and find it too stiff, even after many washings. I prefer Keepsake's Amish black but now think I'll take another look at Moda's since I like their other solids.

LOL...we do feel passionate about our favorite blacks....the only true black I will use is:
Kaufman Jet Black...have bought Moda Jet Black in a pinch but prefer the Kaufman.

While we are talking about black fabrics- tell me your experiences with these fabrics breaking down over time. I am trying to repair a quilt that has a lot of black that has disinegrated while other fabrics are still intact. I have heard the dyes may cause this. Comments/experience??

I'd probably pick Moda because I like the way it feels.

I will have to try some of these and compare for myself. I love that true, true black!

1380 is described as "Pea Black"
1379 is described as "Washed Black"
1377 is described as "Black"
If you are looking for the "blackest black" I would say go with 1377.

A black that is wonderful is carried by JoAnn. Long staple Egyptian cotton. Tight weave, rich colors. Handles beautifully, both for machine & hand. My second pick is Moda Bella. Used to use Kona, but the weave is looser and it ravels too much.
SandyQuilter

I bought a bolt of Kona black (not their jet black) and it does indeed ravel. Next time (which could be a long way off) I think I'll get Moda.

I love Blank Quilting's solid black, it is the only one i have found that is a true black and I was told from a rep that it is not dyed with mixing a bunch of left over colours like alot of companies make black from. It has a great feel and wash up very well ....

Everyone has their own preferrence...I buy mine at Joann or Hancocks...actually don't look for who makes it.
My only suggestion to anyone needed black (or any fabric color), buy more than you think you will need...don't skimp! Sometimes our calculations are off, sometimes we make a wrong cut, etc. It is almost impossible to match colors (especially solids) if you run out.
Right now I have 4 different blacks...all 100% cotton, two are Kona...none are the same color black!

Marge