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Last week we explored straight line quilting and the tools we can use to stitch nice precise straight lines. You can read that post here. Today we’ll see those straight lines put to good use with the Piano Keys design.
Today’s blog by Mary Beth Krapil, Handi Quilter National Educator, shares one of the best uses of straight line quilting, the piano keys quilting design. Mary Beth has been quilting for 45+ years and longarming for 20+ years. She loves to share her knowledge and experience by teaching all over the world and (lucky us!) writing here on the Handi Quilter blog. See what quilting adventures Mary Beth is up to by following her on Instagram @mbkrapil. Or on Facebook.
What is the Piano Key design?
Imagine the black and white keys of a piano, neatly aligned in rows. The Piano Key quilting design mimics this visual, creating a striking effect of vertical or horizontal “keys” on the quilt. Consisting of simple straight lines of stitching, evenly spaced. Typically used in borders or sashing, the spacing of the design lines can range in width from narrow to wide, depending on the desired look.
Variations of Piano Keys
One of the most appealing aspects of the Piano Key design is its versatility. Quilters can experiment with different widths of spacing, creating patterns that range from symmetrical to asymmetrical. A popular variation is called Bead Board that mimics the look of the wood paneling with the same name. As you can see, the spacing alternates between wide and narrow.
Here is an example of quadruple stitched piano keys. The four lines of stitching between the spaces helps to accentuate the design and creates even more texture. In the photo you can see both the top of the quilt (print fabric) and the back (solid fabric).
Where to use the Piano Keys Design on your quilt
1. Borders and Sashing
Piano Keys quilting is commonly used in borders and sashing to frame quilt blocks or to create a sense of movement and rhythm within the quilt. The simplicity of the design makes it suitable for both beginner and experienced quilters alike. It is an especially useful design for those borders that have a little extra fullness and need to be coaxed to lie flat. The rhythm of the spacing evenly distributes the extra fabric across the border.
2. Within the Quilt
But it’s not unheard of to use Piano Keys within the quilt. The even rhythm and symmetrical-ness can give the eye a place to rest in a quilt with a lot of other more complex, busier quilting going on. This quilt has some elaborate quilting. The piano keys in the floral fabric create texture but also give a place for the eyes to rest as they travel around the quilt. Busy fabrics are a good place for simpler quilting because it does not show much.
3. As a Background design
In my Her Majesty quilt above, you see small piano keys acting as a background design in the white border. They “finish” the elaborate border quilting out to the edge.
In my Artsy Fartsy Sunflowers quilt I used a variation of piano keys also known as Matchstick quilting as a background design to accentuate the hand-painted sunflowers. Matchstick quilting is closely spaced straight lines.
Lots of piano key examples are in this class sample. The triangles along the right side have (what else?) piano keys as background!
Challenges and Rewards
While the Piano Key design may appear straightforward, achieving a flawless finish requires attention to detail and careful planning. Ensuring consistent spacing is crucial to maintaining the pattern’s integrity. However, the end result is incredibly rewarding—a quilt that not only showcases skillful craftsmanship but also appeals to almost everyone. There is something about the beautiful symmetry. The rhythmic repetition of the keys can evoke a sense of harmony, peace, and balance, enhancing the overall beauty of the quilt.
Stay tuned! In a couple of weeks I’ll take a deep dive into How to Quilt Piano Keys here on the blog. If you’d like a video preview be sure to catch Kristina on this HQ Watch and Learn episode to see how she quilts with the Line Grid Ruler.
In the world of quilting, the Piano Keys design stands out for its elegance and simplicity. From its humble origins to its modern interpretations, this pattern continues to captivate quilters with its timeless appeal and creative possibilities. As you’ve seen, the design can be used to accentuate a quilt’s borders or as a focal point within the quilt, or even as a background filler.
by Mary Beth Krapil June 22, 2024
What to Read Next
Here are a few other articles you may find fun and helpful!
HQ Watch and Learn Video – Line Grid Ruler How-to’s
Want to see how to stitch piano keys with a great ruler that makes it easy? Check out this video tutorial with our Studio Educators Kim and Kristina.