I've discovered there are two very different fabrics that can be confused by the name of Kona. I first found the Kona Bay cotton which is a very smooth soft cotton. Used that and went looking for more. That's when I found there is also kona cotton which is more coarse and not so soft. I actually had to go back to the original seller to find the Kona Bay cotton again. That wasn't easy because the lady left the original shop and opened her own in another state. But it was worth the effort because Kona Bay is so much nicer.

I recently bought RJR cotton supreme, It is very nice.

I have used both kona's white and Southern Belle. I prefer the SB when I can find it.

if you buy kona at joann it is a different and lesser quality. if you hold it up and compare it to kona sold at a real lqs, you can immediately see the difference. it is much thinner. if you want a decent white go to a private lqs.

sometimes a reputable fabric company will manufacture down (that is, lower their standards) in order to meet a lower price point for a chain of stores. the fabric store, in this case, JA, gets the 'name brand', kona gets the huge contract to supply the JA stores and we get stuck with very slightly less than kona prices and yucky JA quality.

That is so interesting, I love my Kona cotton white, I like the crispness without the scratchy roughness. It feels like good quality and I get it at my LQS, rather than JoAnns.

Thanks for the info. It explains alot.

I use the backs of mens shirts when I need whites, I buy them second hand, and I only buy ones that are really good quality. I picked up 3 this weekend for a scrappy challenge project, and they were pierre cardin - lovely thick cotton, soft creams and one with a pale cream print. All for $2 australian! The project is a $20.00 - 25.00 quilt top, as that is what we pay per metre down here.

I use the Kona cotton as well. I usually get it at the local Hobby Lobby. We no longer have a JoAnn's ( and judging from an earlier post that is not entirely a bad thing.)

that's what i do too....just easier to find a solid white in the linen dept.

Thanks for all the replies. I have some 30's repros that I'm going to use and have never used white before. I'm thinking I should use a plain white and not a tone on tone. Or maybe an off white. I just need to figure what pattern to do.

Thanks

To help decide if a white-white, or off-white would work better with your fabrics - lay them out and see if the majority of the white in them is white-white or creamy-white and choose accordingly.

I use Kona white also, and the rest of the line in the colors that I use. It feels sturdier than most white fabrics out there. I save my 50% coupons from Joanns so I can buy a bolt of Kona when it is not on sale, making it $3 per yard.

Diane

As for sheet useage. I was told that sheets are hard to handquilt through. I guess if you machine quilt it doesn't matter, but I have avoided the use of sheets because of being told it is harder to pull the needle through.

Don't get a high count sheet. Get a 200 count or under, it's like quilting cotton. Feel the sheet before buying and stay away from the high counts. AND, if you are going to machine quilt it doesn't matter. The main problem with the higher counts is the thread can be severed while stitching and if you hand quilt it is harder.

I did a crazy quilt earlier this year and I used sheets as my foundation fabric and I had no problems at all.

i like moda fabrics there very nice

I don't have an answer for you because I use mostly tone-on-tones when I need a white because I like the texture it brings in. I just have to reply, though, to tell you that if that cute little boxer face were looking at me, I'd never get any quilting done! What a cutie!!!

This is so apropos! I just began a white and 30's bow tie quilt because I saw one online. My guild is doing blocks for me as a friendship quilt. Here is a pic of what we're making. I wish I could remember where I got the picture to give credit. Please forgive me for that. I love it and it is gorgeous. There are so many ways to arrange the bow tie blocks, too.

I really think 30s look best with pure white, not off white. Pure white seems to bring out the crispness and clear colors of the 30s.

I usually choose WOW for the softness and crispness it gives. I also like the Kona Bay fabrics; Kona feels harsh to my fingers. I'm going to look for the other whites mentioned. Good luck on your choices.

Just bought some Kona yesterday.

there's a coupon right now. if you don't have it, i'll give the link:

if i lose this, i'll add it in a second.

http://www.joann-mail.com/J1081LVS/c...44CFE6B18B7C04

i think that works. be sure and check the expiration date. i used it today and printed out 4.

i always buy kona for white