Chateau Hexagon Mystery Button of the Month

In the middle of 2013 I enrolled for Lynette Anderson's new Mystery Button Block of the Month Club.  Lynette chose a French feel for this project, which featured garden scenes each having a hand-painted button from Australia.

The wallhanging measures 26" x 37"
Cosmo threads have been used throughout.
Quilted using a very thin wadding and invisible thread

Month 9 - Chateau Hexagon

Who lives in this grand home somewhere in France?

Month 1 - Birdhouse Corner

"Such a pretty part of the garden, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming and Mrs Cat is prowling"

Month 2 - Sampler Block

A little alphabet sampler style had to be included on this quilt.

Month 3 - Flower Barrow

This old wooden style wheelbarrow reminds Lynette of the one her Grandad used to use in his garden. "Grandad was always outside, he used to grow lots of vegetables and flowers.  His garden fork often had a bird sitting on it watching and waiting for a worm"

Month 4 - Cranky Geese

When Lynette was 9 she says the school she attended had geese to guard the lawns, they were very cranky geese and no-one put a toe on the grass for fear of being hissed at.

Month 5 - Hollyhocks & Roses

Lynette's grandmother used to grow hollyhocks in her cottage garden.  They grew tall and pretty against her flint and brick walls. 

Month 6 - The Flower Patch

Lynette says she loved watering the flower patch, running out to see if the seeds had sprouted and then as the little plants grew strong and tall waiting and hoping that they would have flowers"

Month 7 - Lilypads

"Little pond with its lily pads and flowers in the middle of the driveway that leads to "Chateau Hexagon"

Month 8 - Welcome

"The entrance to Chateau Hexagon has a grand but neglected feel to it, which is why there are wild flowers growing by the entrance gate.  The French poodle button looks so proud with her pink collar and sweet French haircut". 

Can you see the date and my initials added to the wrought iron-gate?  I have so very much enjoyed making and stitching this gorgeous quilt - thank you Lynette.  It is now being offered as a kit with patterns, fabric and buttons at Little Quilt Store.

Chateau Hexagon

Month 6 - ...continued

After stitching The Flower Patch the six blocks are joined together

Month 7 - Lilypads

 

"The Lily pond with its Lily Pads and Flowers are in the middle of the driveway that leads to Chateau Hexagon".

 

You will see that the Lily Pads and Flowers have been appliqued and embroidered and my next task is to place onto the larger check circle adding ric-rac around the edge as I sew.  The check circle and driveway then have to be sewn to the 6 blocks adding strips of hexagons along the top 2 seams.  Pleasurable for sure and a lovely way to spend any free time over Christmas.

Chateau Hexagon

Month 6 - The Flower Patch

Another great block to sew - the 6th and final one for the wall-hanging.  Lynette says how she "loved watering the flower patch, running out to see if the seeds had sprouted and then as the little plants grew strong and tall waiting, hoping that they would have flowers." 

The blocks can now be joined together!!

Chateau Hexagon

Month 5 - Hollyhocks & Roses

This block was a delight to sew and, as Lynette says, "the yoyo flowers that are used for the hollyhocks add a wonderful dimension to this block".

I'm a little behind, as November marked the arrival of Month 6, but I have made a start!

Chateau Hexagon

Lynette Anderson's Button of the Month Club update

 

Month 3 Flower Barrow

 

 

(clumpy fork, but hoping its lost somewhere in the overall design!)

 

Month 4 Cranky Geese

 

 

Month 5 Hollyhocks & Roses

(just arrived and raring to go)

Yoyos, embroidery and a lovely birthbath hand painted button - happy days!

 

Chateau Hexagon

Sampler Block

(a little alphabet sampler style)

Month 2



I'm happier with the result of this block having used my Pigma pen for transferring the design and just love the Flower Button.  Each little block measure 10 1/2" x 6 1/2".

Looking forward to Month 3

Chateau Hexagon

 

It seems sometime ago now since I received my usual Newsletter from Quilters Haven announcing Lynette Anderson's new 2013 Button Club "Chateau Hexagon".  My interest was immediate as I have been sewing many hexagons recently for my Sewing Basket and Sewing Accessories and I do like buttons, but "Button Club" what on earth was that I asked myself?  Following a telephone call to Quilters Haven I discovered that this was a nine part mystery button block of the month including embroidery, applique and piecing.  Each month participants receive a pattern, painted button and over the 9 months watch as the quilt grows, just like the Chateau's garden.

 

Already loving Lynette Anderson's books, kits and buttons how could I possibly resist and said "Yes, please, count me in"  Fabrics and threads were also offered.

 

Fabrics and Threads 

 

 

 Month 1

Birdhouse Corner

You will see the ever so delightful Birdhouse Button in the middle of the stitchery. 

 

Lynette suggested 3 different methods of applique - traditional needle turn applique, fusible web applique and Apliquick applique.  I chose the third method which involves tracing the applique shapes onto water soluble single sided fusible applique paper and then glue plays a part!  There are excellent tutorials on Lynette's website.

Chateau Hexagon means lots of learning having never used this method of applique and I cannot recall doing this type of stitchery.   For Birdhouse Corner I transferred the design using a Pilot Frixion Pen and although the traced shapes disappear as if by magic when an iron is passed over them I am not totally pleased with the result, (perhaps a little too rustic!) so for Month 2 I have reverted to the more traditional method of using a Pigma Pen.

The finished wallhanging will measure 26" x 37".  By the way I have to make 106 1/2" Hexagons!!!!