Monaluna Fabric, Sawtooth Blocks, and Basil

It's summer! We spent some family time at the beach right after school got out and then had a swim meet after that, so it really feels like summer started today...my first full day at home. 

I finished hand binding this massive table runner that I began in the Spring. The fabric came from Monaluna and it is THE SOFTEST fabric I have ever felt. In fact, I cannot wait to try making a shift dress from this. It is so soft that is almost drapes like a rayon but it is thicker and therefore, not see-through. I really could't love it more! The prints in this line, Bloom, are classic but the colors are rest and summer-like. The Lemons are my favorite. 

I want to tell you about Monaluna. Monaluna is a small, independent organic fabric company based in Walnut Creek, CA. The company is owned and operated by Jennifer Moore and her husband David Miguelucci, with assistance and inspiration from their young daughter Anabelle. Monaluna was started in 2010 by Jennifer, a designer and textile artist, out of a desire to bring more sustainable alternatives to the fabric marketplace. "I have always loved sewing and creating with fabric", Jennifer says, "but as I learned about the environmental impacts of fabric production I became committed to making more environmentally-friendly options available to sewists and quilters." The company started small, but has been growing steadily, and is now producing 4-6 new collections per year. As for the fabric, all of the Monaluna collections are printed on premium 100% organic cotton with a high thread-count, which gives them an exceptionally soft and high-quality hand. Monaluna fabrics are characterized by a graphic and modern style, and are often whimsical and humorous. After years in the children's product market, Jennifer creates designs that are very appropriate for kids, but which can cross over to adult projects as well. 

Monaluna was generous enough to send me some sample fabric to create this project and review the lovely quality of their work. I urge you to try it out...wow! 

Because my table is so large, a small table runner never looks quite right. I followed the sawtooth pattern from Lori Holt's book and there were two options in sizes. I opted to make the 12" blocks which really show the beautiful fabric off nicely. I had never made a saw tooth or flying geese before so I popped on over to my go-to-how-to, Diary of a Quilter to get more in depth directions and as you can see, Amy came through for me (again). 

I really love the juxtaposition of fresh colors and prints with classic quilting shapes. It really gives a modern feel to a more old-fashioned look. I prefer quilting for gifts and knew when this fabric arrived that I might be selfish and keep this for the home. I was validated in my selfishness when Sam said, "You never let us keep anything you make". I am not sure that a table runner is what he had in mind, but I went with it!

This sweet vase was my grandmother's. She always had flowers in it and kept it in her powder room. I always, always loved it. Last week we had a girl's night together and she said that if there was anything of her's that I wanted to let her know. I wanted this vase and her olive green Tupperware bowls (memories of cereal and homemade popcorn from using those!). As soon as I set out the new table runner, I knew the vase would be perfect for this! The colors are perfect and it is a great way to display the overabundance of basil I came home to!