How to Sew this Star Block Called Country Farm

By: Elaine Huff

Looking for a fresh take on a classic star block? This 12" Country Farm quilt block tutorial combines three-color flying geese units with a bold checkerboard center for a star block that stands out from the standard version. Whether you're building a sampler quilt or looking for a striking focal block, this tutorial will walk you through every step needed to bring this Country Farm block to life.

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Country Farm Quilt Block:

Light/White: 4 - 4.5" squares, and 8 - 2.5" squares
Medium/Aqua: 6 - 2.5" squares
Dark/Pink: 6 - 2.5" squares
Dark/Aqua Print: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
Dark/Aqua Solid: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles

country farm fabric requirements

Sewing Directions:

Four Patch Unit:

Step 1:

Using two Medium/Aqua 2.5" squares and two Dark/Pink 2.5" squares sew together a Four Patch unit. You can find a detailed tutorial for making Four Patch units at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-four-patch-quilt-block. If I were making multiple blocks, I would use the strip piecing method for making these units (which you can find in the Four Patch tutorial linked above).

Flying Geese Units:

Step 2:

Using four Light/White 2.5" squares, two Medium/Aqua Print 2.5" squares, two Dark/Pink 2.5" squares, and four Dark/Aqua Print 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, sew together four three-color Flying Geese units. For a detailed tutorial of my no-trim method for making perfect Flying Geese blocks check out https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block. The picture below shows the first steps.

Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Light/White 2.5" squares.
Sew a Light/White 2.5" square to a Dark/Aqua Print rectangle along the marked line (top image). Note the orientation of the marked line on the upper left corner.
Match the corners of the Light/White square and press (second image).
Open the square up and trim the seam allowance (third image).
Refold (bottom image).
Repeat for a total of four units.

Step 3:

Repeat Step 2 on the adjacent corner (upper right corner) of two of the Dark/Aqua Print rectangles using two Medium/Aqua Print 2.5" squares. You will have two Step 3 units like the ones in the picture below.

Step 4:

Repeat Step 3 only substituting the Dark/Pink 2.5" squares for the Medium/Aqua 2.5" squares. You will have two Step 4 units.

Step 5:

Repeat Step 2 only using the Dark/Aqua Solid 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle instead of the Dark/Aqua Print rectangle. Also note the placement of the Light/White 2.5" squares (upper right corner instead of upper left corner).

Step 6:

Repeat Step 3 only placing the 2.5" squares on the upper left corner.

Step 7:

Repeat Step 4 only placing the 2.5" squares on the upper left corner.

Step 8:

Here's a picture of all eight of the three-color Flying Geese units.

Middle Units:

Step 9:

Match up and sew together a Step 3 and a Step 7 unit. Press the seam allowance toward the Step 7 unit as shown in the picture below. Repeat for a total of two units.

Step 10:

Match up and sew together a Step 4 and a Step 6 unit. Press the seam allowance toward the Step 6 unit as shown in the picture below. Repeat for a total of two units.

Step 11:

Here's a picture of all four Middle units.

Putting It All Together:

Step 12:

Lay out the Middle units, the Four Patch unit, and the Light/White 4.5" squares as shown in the picture below.

Step 13:

Sew the units into three rows as shown below.

Step 14:

Press the seam allowances away from the Middle units as shown in the picture below.

Step 15:

Finally sew the three rows together.

Step 16:

Press the seam allowances toward the center of the block as shown.

Layout Ideas:

This is the basic 4 x 4 layout using colors similar to the tutorial. I like how it creates a grid design.

This is the same layout as above but with 2" sashing and cornerstones added.

This is an alternating design where every other block is a Snowball block.

Here is another alternating layout using a chain block in a complementary color for the alternating block. This really accentuates the star!

This layout is an on-point layout with narrow (1") sashing and cornerstones. The Country Farm block's background fabric is used in the setting triangles. Additionally, all the star points are the same color.

This is a monochromatic palette in an alternating on-point layout. The alternate block is a Snowball block that extends into the setting triangles.

Conclusion:

The Middle units of the Country Farm block are a bit confusing to sew but I like how they form a center on-point design in the star. While it's not the easiest star block to piece, I do like the end result!

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you like it and want to see more, just click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".

Happy Quilting!

Elaine

P.S. Looking for some beginner-friendly blocks? Take a look at these tutorials: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/tagged/tutorials_beginning-blocks

P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406

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