Scrappy Letter K Tutorial

My experiments a few years back on sewing letters of the alphabet using scraps , has received continued interest, which means I am not alone in my love of scrappy sewing ideas!  A recent inquiry about whether there is a pattern for making them, led me to choosing to share a tutorial on how I made my letter K.  I hope you find it helpful!  Now let's use some scraps...

Finished block is 10.5" x 10.5" 
All seams are a scant 1/4"

Materials needed: 

Scraps! The more you use, the more dynamic your finished block.
(Perfectly fine if you repeat fabrics, however, my block is based on using all different fabrics for the ultimate scrappy look!)

• Cut 1.5" x 1.5" squares from 40 background fabrics
• Cut 1.5" x 1.5" squares from 40 main colour fabrics
• 20 half square triangle units (HSTs) 1.5" x 1.5"  (instructions for making these are given below).

*Please bear in mind, that when selecting the colours for your block, you need contrast between the background and main fabrics, otherwise you will not see the letter clearly in your finished block.

This block uses a total of 20 HSTs. 

 You will need  to choose either:

• 10 different background fabric 2" squares and 10 different main fabric 2" squares. Makes a total of 20 HSTs (NOTE:  This will give you 2 sets of HSTs made from each pairing and this means repeat pairings in your scrappy block).

OR

• 20 different background fabric 2" squares and 20 different main fabric 2" squares. Makes a total of 40 HSTs  (NOTE:  This will give you 20 completely unique HSTs [no repeats!] to use in this block, with another set of 20 to set aside for use in another project!)

How to sew half square triangle units (HSTs):

Diagram of steps in making a pair of half square triangle units.

One background fabric and one main fabric square - each square measures 2" x 2" and will make a pair of 1.5" half square triangle units.

1. Pair one 2"  background fabric square and one 2" main fabric square and place right sides together, aligning edges. 
2. On the wrong side, mark a diagonal line.
3. Sew a 1/4" seam on each side of the marked diagonal line.
4. Cut apart along the marked line.
5. Press seam towards the darker fabric and trim the two matching HSTs to 1.5"x 1.5".

Layout Diagram:

1. Refer to the above diagram for placement of all the squares and HSTs needed to make your block.
2. Working row by row, from left to right, sew each square, right sides together.
3. Press all seams in a row, in the same direction, after sewing is complete on the row.
4. Continue sewing the squares in each row together until all rows are complete.
5. Each row will alternate the direction of pressing seams, so that the seams will nest together when the rows are sewn together.
6. Sew the rows, right sides together, with seams nesting. Press seams open.
7. Congratulations your block is complete!

 Please let me know if my tutorial  has been helpful and if you'd be interested in the whole alphabet!  I am considering turning all the letters into this scrappy block style, in the form of a PDF pattern. 

Happy sewing!