Hello quilty friends,
Normally I make videos to explain block construction for various Accuquilt dies.
For the Odette block I decided to do a photo tutorial instead. Why? Because there are a LOT of little pieces in this block, and I thought photos would be more useful than a video.
So here we go:
This is what the die looks like.
( image via Accuquilt)
And here is my version of the block:
This is an interesting block, that comes on a 6 x 24" dieboard and makes an 11" finished block.
This block ( as pictured) uses 4 different colors and so that is what I decided to do as well.
Even though the die is covered up, I did measure all my shapes and wrote those on my dieboard so that I can see at a glance what size fabric I need.
There are a LOT of pieces to cut for this block and you really want to keep them straight. I found it easiest to just place my cut pieces back on my die. ( ( The white background pieces are placed above).
This is what the block construction looks like:
( images from Accuquilt)
So here is what you need to cut:
A, cut 1 of color #1
B, C, and G, cut 4 each of color #2
D and E, cut 4 each of color #3
F, cut 4 and 4 reversed from color #3. * This one gave me all kinds of issues so pay attention to how you lay your fabric on the die! The die shape cuts all the shapes facing the same direction, and you need to have the reversed shape as well. To do this, lay your fabric on the die upside down.
D, cut 8 from background color
G, cut 8 from background color
The instructions say to press all seams open. I found that some seams really wanted to lay to one side and so I let the fabric dictate.
Next, you are going to follow the sewing directions, which you can find here as well: https://tidd.ly/4qJsMoD
Step 1 is to sew shape D to B and you are going to do that 4 times. This is very straightforward.
Step 2 is to sew the D/B units to the center square A.
This is also pretty straightforward, but I like to sew my units on opposite sides first, before adding the last 2 units.
In step 3 you are going to sew together your G pieces, like this:
The G triangles are isosceles triangles so they are not the same length on the bottom as on the sides, so do make sure you sew these on in the correct direction!
You are going to sew 4 of the G/G/G units and then you will add F and F reversed on both ends of all of them as well.
In step 4 you are going to sew 2 of the F/G/G/G/F(r) units to the side of the center square you sewed earlier.
There are plenty of seams you can line up between these units to help you out. I recommend using lots of pins to keep everything in place.
You are trying to line up these two pieces:
Repeat on the other side.
Step 5 is very straightforward. You are going to sew E with 2 background Ds, like this:
You are going to sew 4 of these units and they are not hard, but do pay attention to how the Ds are sewn on!
And then you are going to sew triangle C to these D/E/D units, trying to keep that square point intact ( I failed on some of mine).
Time for step 6!
You are going to sew your D/E/D/C units to both ends of the remaining F/G/G/G/F units. This is pretty bulky to sew, so I recommend lots of pins and starting on a scrap piece of fabric!
You are trying to line up those points again:
I found it did help to pin at the seams between these 2 units:
In step 7, you are going to sew the units together. There are quite a few seams you need to line up in this part. I found using lots of pins helped. As there were some bulky seams, it was helpful again to start sewing on a scrap fabric piece.
Finally you will press your block flat ( or as flat as can be). Like I said, there are a LOT of pieces in this block, and a LOT of seams!
I am pretty pleased with how my block turned out! It is not perfect, but I think that when it gets incorporated into a project it will look just fine ;).
The Odette block finishes at 11 inches, which is a bit of an odd size and doesn't really go with other block sizes, but I remember the designer, Kaye England, saying that you could sash this block to make it "go" with 12" blocks. Alternatively, you could sash smaller blocks so they can pair with this one!
Personally I think this block deserves to get all the spotlight, so I wouldn't pair it with another block, but rather use other Odette blocks.
I hope this tutorial was helpful to you!
Below are some links that you might like. Please note that I can not link directly to the directions page, but you can get to it by clicking on the GREEN PRINT that says "Block assembly instructions" which you will find on the right hand side of the page.
And please know that this is an affiliate link and if you buy something through that link I will receive a small commission at absolutely NO extra cost to you!
Happy sewing and do let me know if you have any more questions!
Until next time~
Monique
