Originally Posted by ghostrider

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.

Originally Posted by Sewnoma

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.

Originally Posted by luckydiver17

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...