Some prints do the storytelling for you. A tan ground scattered with horses, spurs, horseshoes, saddles and other western-themed icons gives a quilt an instant sense of place — ranch, rodeo and open range — without needing a large panel or appliqué. This guide shows how to cut, piece and pair this motif print so the icons stay readable and the finished project feels intentional, not busy.
What This Fabric Is
John Wayne American West Icons Tan is a quilting cotton from the John Wayne American West collection by Riley Blake Designs, and it is an official licensed product. It is 100% cotton, measures 43"/44" wide, and is sold by the yard. The print features western-themed icons such as horses, spurs, horseshoes, saddles and more on a tan background. The collection is described as great for quilting, apparel and home decor.
What It Is Best For
Reach for an icon print when the theme matters as much as the color palette. It suits western and ranch-style quilts, gifts for horse lovers and rodeo fans, and quilts for cabins, dens and rooms where a novelty feel is welcome but a cartoon look is not. Because the background is tan rather than bright white, the fabric reads warm and slightly vintage,.
It also works for cushion covers, table runners and apparel projects.
How to Cut and Piece It
Motif prints reward a little planning at the cutting table. First, decide whether direction matters. Horses and saddles have a clear right way up, so treat this as a directional print: keep all pieces oriented the same way, and mark the top edge of cut pieces with a clip or tape if you are chain piecing.
Second, choose block sizes that let the icons show. Very small pieces can chop horses and horseshoes into unrecognizable fragments. Larger squares, rectangles and sashing strips — think 4-inch and 6-inch cuts and wider borders — give each motif breathing room. To highlight favorite icons, fussy cut them: center a horse or horseshoe inside a square and use those feature squares as block centers, alternating with simpler pieced or solid blocks so the eye has somewhere to rest.
Use a consistent quarter-inch seam and press seams to one side to keep piecing crisp.
Pairing Colors and Other Fabrics
Tan is a forgiving neutral. It pairs naturally with denim blue, deep brown, rusty red, sage and cream for a ranch palette. For contrast, add a dark brown or navy solid so the lighter tan print stands out; for a softer quilt, stay in warm neutrals and let plaids, small checks and tonal blenders do the supporting work. Avoid placing another large, busy novelty print right against it — two competing motif prints can blur both. Give this fabric solid or small-scale neighbors and let it be the feature print.
Try it as main block fabric with solid alternates, as a wide outer border, or as backing.
Project Ideas
- Feature-block quilt: Fussy-cut icon squares, frame them with dark sashing, and finish with a matching border.
- Simple strip quilt: Alternate wide strips of this print with solid denim-blue and brown strips for a fast throw.
- Cabin set: Matching cushions and a table runner carry a western theme through a room without a full quilt.
- Gifts: Tote bags, pillowcases and lap quilts make good smaller projects for horse and rodeo fans.
Care
Follow the care given for this fabric: machine wash cold and tumble dry low. Cold washing and low drying help preserve both the cotton and the printed colors, especially the warm tan ground. Press finished items with a warm iron as needed.
Cut large, oriented consistently, and paired with calmer fabrics, this print can anchor a quilt that feels personal and unmistakably themed.
Shop the John Wayne American West Icons Tan 43"/44" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
