Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton
Kona Cotton by Robert Kaufman is the quilting world's workhorse solid. With over 365 colors in the collection, it has become the default choice for quilters who want reliable, consistent fabric at a price that won't break the bank. The weave is tight and even, pressing beautifully under an iron and holding seam allowances without fraying excessively during piecing.
What sets Kona apart is its sheer ubiquity: every local quilt shop stocks it, every online retailer carries it, and every pattern designer specs their color palettes in Kona codes. When someone in a quilting forum says "I used White," they almost certainly mean Kona White. This network effect means color-matching across projects is trivial, and you can confidently order yardage sight-unseen knowing it will match the swatch card.
Kona does have a slightly crisp hand straight off the bolt, which some quilters prefer for paper piecing and which softens beautifully after a wash. At 4.3 oz per square yard, it has enough body for precision cutting without being stiff or difficult to needle through during hand quilting.
Quick Specs
- Thread Count
- 60x60
- Weight
- 4.3 oz/sq yd
- Shrinkage Rate
- 3-5%
- Color Range
- 365+ colors
- Price Range
- $9-12/yard
Quick Specs
- Thread Count
- 60x60
- Weight
- 4.3 oz/sq yd
- Shrinkage Rate
- 3-5%
- Color Range
- 365+ colors
- Price Range
- $9-12/yard
Popular Fabric Lines
Kona Cotton Solids
The flagship line with 365+ colors, from neutrals to vivid saturated hues. The backbone of most quilters' solid fabric stash.
Kona Cotton Charm Packs
Pre-cut 5-inch squares in curated color stories, perfect for scrappy quilts or sampling new shades before committing to yardage.
Essex Linen Blend
A cotton/linen blend that adds texture and drape. Popular for modern quilting, garment sewing, and adding visual interest to quilt backs.
Our Verdict
The Toyota Camry of quilting fabric — not the most exciting, but absolutely dependable. Quilters trust Kona because it performs consistently across thousands of projects. If you're starting out and want one brand of solids, this is it.
Best For
Everyday quilting, pattern testing, paper piecing, and building a reliable solid stash. The go-to when you need a specific color and predictable quality.
Where to Buy
Related Brands
Moda Fabrics Bella Solids
Bella Solids from Moda Fabrics are the second most popular quilting solids line, and for good reason. With over 300 colors, the range rivals Kona and includes several shades that quilters swear have no equivalent in other brands — the Moda "Etchings Charcoal" and "Betty's Blue" are legendary on quilting social media.
Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Solids
Art Gallery Fabrics has carved out a premium niche in the quilting world, and their Pure Solids line is the crown jewel. With over 200 colors in a curated, design-forward palette, every shade feels intentional. There are no filler colors — each one was selected to work harmoniously with Art Gallery's print collections and with each other.
Michael Miller Cotton Couture
Michael Miller Fabrics has been a staple in quilting and garment sewing since 2000, and their Cotton Couture line stands out for one technical differentiator: thread count. At 78x78 threads per inch, Cotton Couture has a noticeably smoother surface than standard 60x60 quilting cottons. The result is a fabric that feels more refined under your fingers and produces crisper points and seams.
Preview These Fabric Colors in Your Quilt Design
Test Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton color combinations in QuiltLab's free swatch editor before you buy.