Piano Key Borders
 

I've never done a piano key border yet, but want to. Do you make one long enough strip of piano keys to go around quilt and miter corners, or do you sew on top/bottom and then sides? And how wide do you make your keys? I gathered from another post that about 5 inches is a good length for the keys. Thank you for all advice coming.

I sew on sides, then top and bottom, and usually put a square block in the corners. The width and length of the keys depends on the size of the quilt, but 5-6 inches is a good width for a bed size quilt.

The piano keys can be the same size or you can alternate/stagger the 'keys'. Here's an example:

The 5" was suggested in the other post because she was trying to get to a specific finished quilt size. As Dunster said, it needs to be proportional to the quilt and the blocks. As far as the corners go, I've done it different ways. You can use a plain or pieced block in the corner or apply it just like a normal border (sides, then top). In order to miter it with seams matching, you have to be exact in the calculation of the width of the keys so that the border exactly fits the quilt top.

I've done it several different ways. I prefer putting a block in each corner, though I've also angled them to make the corner, along with mitering, and sometimes going all the way across top to bottom.

The hardest thing with piano borders to get the on so you don't end up with a wavy border when you are done. (like this red one that I wasn't as careful about)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps23a69e3d.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps932ee0ad.jpg

This one has larger "keys" and I made a block with the prices angling to go for the corner, so it looks like it moves around the quilt. Though it's hard to see, there is a narrow white border around the quilt. I used that to make the outer border and the inner quilt match up. Sometimes it does not matter, but often it's the easiest way to transition without doing a lot of complicated formulas to get the keys right.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psoaubgd76.jpg

Yes, as others have stated, you want the proportions to work well with the size of the quilt. When I had to deal with the corners of the border, I pieced 4 HST that fit into the corner of each border so they looked like they had been mitered.

Because I find it awkward to miter or to butt piano key borders, I got with the cornerstone block approach. Sometimes it's fun to use one that references the center of the quilt, either with a smaller pieced segment or with applique. Think of it as yet another design opportunity.

When the border is random scrappy, I don't mind mitering the corners. When it is not, I like to use the corner block also. As for the size, it depends on the size of the blocks within the quilt.

I like my corners to be a solid or a block design, not to crazy about mitering them, but that's just me.

All of your keys can be the same width, or they can be a variety of widths, the length can be any length that works for the quilt they are going on, no rules. I've done them with strips ranging from 3/4" wide up to 2 1/2" wide, everything in between. I've had some that were 2 1/2" long, some that were 8" long. I've used jelly rolls & made them all 2 1/2" wide. I made them scrappy with every fabric in the quilt and I've made them with just 2 fabrics. I've always added the two sides then top & bottom.I have mitered the corners most often, but if the strips were all different random widths, scrappy I either used corner blocks or boxed the ends. Anyway you like is fine

I've only done random colored strips and mitered the corners. My strips were 2 1/2 x 6 1/2. Is mitering the corners fun? No. Is it visually worth it? Yes, IMO.

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This was my first attempt at piano keys. I kind of like doing them, as it's a great way to use up scraps. Thinking most any size that works for you is good.

For me using corner blocks, either solid or pieced is easiest.

I think you can make them any width/length you think will look good on your quilt. If I've used 2 1/2 squares in the quilt, I will use that size. If I use 4 or 5 inch squares, I will just make the piano keys half that size. Be sure to show us your finished quilt.

the easiest corner is to put in a 'solid' square. If you decide to miter and it doesn't match exactly, alter a couple keys along the side. A small difference there will be less noticeable than at the end.

Love your quilt jc. And the "zipper" border is great. Thanx for the tip

Your quilt is beautiful!

I like piano key borders. Make sure that you measure your quilt top through the center both ways, ease the borders in and then you won't have wavy borders.
I make my pieces varied widths, other times I make all the pieces the same width. Sometimes I just want to use up scraps, the borders are usually 4"-6"; it depends on the quilt. I sew the top and bottom borders on first and then the sides, I don't miter my borders.
Sharon in Texas
quilting since 1988

I have had trouble reading these posts due to left out words and misspelled words. Sorry for the complaint, but maybe we need to proofread more closely.

Thank you all for the great advice, I too have wondered about how to do this. Your pictures and advice help so much!

I like the staggered approach. Haven't seen that before.