Piano Key Borders- Any suggestions?

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09-08-2013, 05:21 PM

#41

zozee

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2013

Posts: 9,299

I really like the 2 quilts--and your artistic touch of the daffodils

Piano keys look great.

09-09-2013, 03:53 AM

#42

QultingaddictUK

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: North Wales UK

Posts: 2,028

http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...er-t56940.html I use this method for my "Piano key" borders and IMO they come out beautifully.

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09-09-2013, 05:14 AM

#43

QuiltE

Power Poster

Join Date: Apr 2011

Location: Ontario, Canada

Posts: 18,351

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendiq

QuiltE.....I'm not making one of these, but I just had to jump in here to say what a nice quilt and your instructions are so concise. I think I need to keep these....

Awww thanks WendiQ ... as for concise? I thought I had blathered away!! I think the biggest thing to remember is to press after every seam. And too, measure the length/width first, to know what width to cut the keys, so that you have a perfect fit, instead of needing a 1/2 one to fit the space. Sometimes I accomplish that by trimming the border before the keys, to make it work out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zozee

I really like the 2 quilts--and your artistic touch of the daffodils

Piano keys look great.

Thanks ZoZee ... I like to take my pics outside when I can, so I can get truer colours in the pics. Just happened to be daffodil time. I have daffs growing all thru my lawn, and once done, they are just zipped off with the lawnmower!!

Thanks too, to All Others for your positive comments re my quilts!

EParys ... your angled keys are a perfect fit for that quilt. I really like your fabric/colour choices and the blending from one to the other. Batiks are so good for that!

09-09-2013, 10:00 AM

#44

Judi in Ohio

Senior Member

Join Date: Sep 2008

Location: Ohio

Posts: 674

Quote:

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.

I also love piano keys, but I don't find it frustrating at all, just part of the process. Most of my keys are 1 1/2 or 2" strips, or combo's. Also since I do Bonnie Hunter quilts this is the simplist border I do.