Susanne Woods - We Love Color: 16 Iconic Quilt Designers Create with Kona Solids

The Kona story began some 30 years ago, at a time when Robert Kaufman Company was focused primarily on making apparel fabrics for the home sewer. Little did we know that introducing our new Kona Cotton Solids would mark the beginnings of what would become the industry mainstay for quilting solids. Today, Robert Kaufman Company produces and ships millions of yards of Kona internationally and throughout the United States every year, and the Kona brand has become synonymous with the idea of a quality quilting solid.

So whats the Kona difference?

It is frequently said that Kona is a 60 60 square cotton sheetinga basic cotton cloth that is woven and sourced all over the world. But that hides the whole truth. Mills using these stocks rarely produce a quality that meets our standards. Producing a quality solid is actually more difficult than producing a print. Solids reveal all the flaws that can easily be hidden in a printed fabric. For this reason, Robert Kaufman Company specially produces its own goods rather than using stock quality. The yarns used in Kona are cleaned before weaving to eliminate excessive slubs and cottonseed, and then extra yarn is added to the construction to bulk up the goods. The result is a smooth, even finish and Konas signature bulky hand. Additionally, all Kona is certified to meet the Oeko-Tex standard for no hazardous chemicals.

With more than 200 colors in the Kona range, the brand presents countless possibilities for home sewing enthusiasts and quiltmakers of all skill levels. Solids are timely as well as utterly timeless. From traditional Amish quilts to the most modern graphic quilt, solids speak to both traditionalist quiltmakers and to the new generation of sewers who represent the modern quilting movement.

To celebrate the creative spirit and the endless inspiration of Kona Cotton Solids, we have partnered with some of the modern quilt movements leading designers to compile in this book 16 fresh, exciting quilt projects made exclusively with Kona Cotton Solids. The following pages are sure to inspire your inner quilt artist. So break out your Kona Cotton Color Card, choose from its many enticing colors, and create!

Happy sewing!

HARVEY KAUFMAN
Robert Kaufman Company

Designed and made by Cherri House and machine quilted by Angela Walters

Finished quilt size: 62 62

This quilt symbolizes a turning point in my life. When, at 32, I found myself a single mother of four young children, it quickly became apparent that it was going to take all that I had, and more, to not fail at the task. Between working and trying to raise my children, life was as hectic as could be. My faithalways a guiding light in my lifebecame more important than ever before. I pleaded for guidance, and the answer I received was, Be the mother. I interpreted this to mean that instead of being scattered, my children and I needed to be centeredto be one in purpose and to make our family and each other our first priority. Being centered enabled me to raise my family, to keep my priorities straight, and to give my children the counsel they needed to conduct their own lives.

This quilt represents that timethe very core of being solid and steadfast, and the light and illumination that being centered brought into my life and the lives of my children. Though simple in design, this large Courthouse Steps pattern becomes a study in color, and the piecing is a vehicle to achieve the end result. The graduated hues radiate from a center core into a burst of light, bright color.

Black , Indigo , Navy , Windsor : yard each

Cadet , Delft , Denim , Candy Blue , Blueberry , Lake , Cloud , Blue , Sky , Mint : yard each

Honey Dew , Pear , Sour Apple : yard each

Kiwi , Clover , Holly , Kelly : yard each

Spruce : yard for binding

Backing: 4 yards

Batting: 70 70

From the Black fabric, cut 1 square 2 2 for the quilt center.

From the Spruce fabric, cut 7 strips 2 width of fabric (WOF) for binding.

For the rest of the fabrics, refer to the chart to cut the number of WOF strips indicated for each color. Subcut these strips as indicated in the two right columns. You will need to sew some WOF strips together before you can subcut them.

Quilt assembly diagram

To help construction go smoothly and keep everything in order, create small labels for colors 2 through 21, and attach them to the corresponding cut pieces. Refer to the assembly diagram to lay out the pieces in the order in which they will be sewn (2 through 21).

This quilt is constructed like a large Courthouse Steps block. As you sew, press the seam allowances away from the center with each new fabric piece added.

Sew a 2 2 Indigo piece (2A) to the left and right sides of the Black square.

Sew the 2 5 Indigo pieces (2B) to the top and bottom of the unit from Step 1.

Sew the 2 5 Navy pieces (3A) to the left and right sides of the unit from Step 2.

Sew the 2 8 Navy pieces (3B) to the top and bottom of the unit from Step 3.

Continue this sequence with all the remaining color pieces.

NOTE

To keep the quilt top flat and prevent curves as you sew, pin the strips, beginning at approximately Fabric 8 (Candy Blue), before sewing.

Mark your quilting design on the quilt top, or plan to quilt without marking.

Use your favorite method or refer to Quiltmaking Basics () to layer and baste the quilt top, batting, and backing.

Quilt as desired. The stitching on my quiltstraight lines radiating out to the edges from the centeris very simple yet emphasizes the movement of the design.

Refer to Quiltmaking Basics or use your preferred method to bind the quilt using the Spruce strips.

Designed and made by Amy Ellis and machine quilted by Natalia Bonner

Finished block size: 12 12, Finished quilt size: 70 87