SeeMyQuilt
Strips & logs · Confident beginner

Piano Keys quilt block

Eight narrow upright strips in repeating fabrics. Most often sewn end to end as a border.

Piano Keys: main, background, accent and fabric 4. A 8 × 8 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

8" Piano Keys (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 rectangles8 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Background2 rectangles8 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Accent2 rectangles8 1/2" × 1 1/2"–
Fabric 42 rectangles8 1/2" × 1 1/2"–

12" Piano Keys (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 rectangles12 1/2" × 2"–
Background2 rectangles12 1/2" × 2"–
Accent2 rectangles12 1/2" × 2"–
Fabric 42 rectangles12 1/2" × 2"–

16" Piano Keys (cut for one block)

FabricCutSizeThen
Main2 rectangles16 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Background2 rectangles16 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Accent2 rectangles16 1/2" × 2 1/2"–
Fabric 42 rectangles16 1/2" × 2 1/2"–

How to make a 16" Piano Keys block

  1. Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
  2. Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 8 × 8 grid, and each cell finishes at 2". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
  3. Join the rows. The block should measure 16 1/2" now and 16" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Piano Keys quilt (16" blocks)

Quilt sizeBlocksFinished sizeMainBackgroundAccentFabric 4Border & bindingBacking
Baby2 × 3 (6)38" × 54"1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1/2 yd1 yd3 1/2 yd
Lap3 × 3 (9)54" × 54"3/4 yd3/4 yd3/4 yd3/4 yd1 1/8 yd3 1/2 yd
Throw3 × 4 (12)54" × 70"1 yd1 yd1 yd1 yd1 1/4 yd4 1/2 yd
Twin4 × 6 (24)70" × 102"1 7/8 yd1 7/8 yd1 7/8 yd1 7/8 yd1 3/4 yd6 1/4 yd
Queen6 × 6 (36)102" × 102"2 3/4 yd2 3/4 yd2 3/4 yd2 3/4 yd1 7/8 yd9 1/4 yd
King6 × 6 (36)102" × 102"2 3/4 yd2 3/4 yd2 3/4 yd2 3/4 yd1 7/8 yd9 1/4 yd

Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.

Four ways to set it

A throw quilt of 16" Piano Keys blocks in each setting.

SettingBlocksFinished sizeExtra fabric
Side by side1254" × 70"–
With sashing1258" × 76"Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks6 pieced + 6 plain54" × 70"Plain blocks 1 5/8 yd
On point851 3/8" × 74"Setting triangles 1 7/8 yd

See Piano Keys in your own fabrics

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)
2. Block
3. Quilt size
4. Block size
5. Setting

What to buy

FabricYardageCut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

Questions

How many fabrics does a Piano Keys block need?

Four: main, background, accent and fabric 4. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.

What size pieces do I cut for a 16 inch Piano Keys?

2 main rectangles at 16 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 2 background rectangles at 16 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 2 accent rectangles at 16 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 2 fabric 4 rectangles at 16 1/2" × 2 1/2".

How many Piano Keys blocks for a lap quilt?

9 blocks at 16", set 3 by 3 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 54" quilt.

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