Macybaby

When I want piano borders, I cut pieces a bit longer, then sew together in groups of 5-10. Then I square up the groups and sew them together into the lengths I need. I do quite a big of machine embroidery and paper piecing, and removing the foundation paper is not my happy part.

WMUTeach

Agree. My piano key borders are dependent on the quilt but I would say generally 4 - 6 inches finished. I also vary the size of the cut from 1" to and occasional 2.5 particularly if the finished size is 6 inches. I like the 1.5 finished the best.

Irishrose2

For both of mine, I cut my strips 2 1/2 inches. I strip pieced as much as possible, then cut to 6 1/2 inches. So my pieces start at 2 1/2 by 6 1/2. These were on very large lap/nap quilts.

cashs_mom

I just did a piano key border on a king size quilt. I didn't use a foundation either. My "keys" were 2" x 6". It worked fine without an foundation.

laurilli

I love piano key borders. I usually cut my leftover scraps into the sizes I use and I normally cut my piano 4 inches long by whatever width I can get (from 1 inch to about 2.5 wide) than use them as enders and leaders. This works for me because I mostly do scrappy quilts. By the time I have a quilt ready the border is done too. I do not use register tape.