Originally Posted by nanna-up-north

I really like the look of piano key borders but , WOW, they take so much time!! I try to use all the fabrics I used in the quilt plus more that will coordinate and make it all look nice. Some pieces are full widths, some pieces are only wide enough for 1 key.

I cut strips of fabric 2 1/2" wide and sew them together, then cut the length I want... and that seems easy. But I press all the fabrics before cutting so they will lay flat, then cut the strips, then sew together, then cut into desired lengths, then take apart any strips that aren't long enough and re-sew, re-cut, take apart, re-sew, re-cut, etc. I don't want the fabrics to be in a certain order that will pull your eyes away and distract from the body of the quilt.

I don't know if it's the time, the fitting of different pieces of fabric, then re-adjusting, etc. I just find it really frustrating every time I make one of these. There's got to be an easier way.