This easy DIY buffalo check throw blanket is a cozy, affordable way to update the decor in your home for the winter months. These throw blankets make great gifts as well!
Is anyone else’s Instagram feed just full of black and white buffalo check these days? Like many other home decor aficionados, I just can’t get enough of this eye catching pattern, especially now that we’re heading into the holiday season. Today I’m going to share with you how you can make your own DIY buffalo check throw if you love the farmhousey look of this cozy pattern as much as I do!
Supplies for the DIY Buffalo Check Throw
I originally ordered this fabric with the idea of making some pillows, or maybe a table runner. I ended up choosing the one I did because I liked the large-scale pattern, but I didn’t put too much thought into it other than that. When the package with the fabric in it arrived, I opened it up and it really just looked like it needed to be a blanket. Actually, it almost looked like it was a blanket already, so much so that I just folded it up and hung it over the back of our sofa. You may have seen it in this state in my plumbing pipe sofa arm table post from a few weeks ago. 🙂
I decided I’d better go ahead and make this fabric into an actual, proper throw, especially since I started getting questions about it after I shared that side table project. Lucky for me, this endeavour ended up being really super simple and easy, and also required very few supplies. Yay for easy projects!
To make the DIY buffalo check throw you’ll need:
- A sewing machine
- Thread
- An iron and ironing board
- Scissors
- Buffalo plaid “jacketing” fabric (here’s where I ordered mine from)
I was going to do some kind of lining for this, but when I unfolded the fabric I discovered that it actually has a really nice fleecy interior, so I just left it as is!
How to Make the DIY Buffalo Check Throw Blanket
I ordered 2 yards of my fabric and I was able to make a nice size throw with a lot of fabric leftover if I decide I want to make a pillow or a table runner, or something like that.
I cut my fabric to 48″x60″ and I ended up with a throw that seems to be just about the right size for me plus one kid to snuggle up under and watch a movie on the couch.
One you have your fabric cut, turn on your iron to medium heat. Fold your fabric over along one side of your fabric piece about 1/2″ and iron it well, then fold it over again and iron it once more. It may seem a bit thick, but my sewing machine had no trouble getting through it all because of the looser weave of the fabric. Repeat the folding and ironing on the opposing side of the blanket, then sew a straight line down each side.
On a side note: Sorry about the dark photos! I was inspired to work on this blanket one Friday night so I just snapped a few photos on my phone as I was working away in my little sewing nook in the back hall mud room area.
The Final Steps for Making the Throw Blanket
Once you’ve sewn the first two opposing sides, you’ll need to move on to ironing that last two sides. Before I started ironing, I made a little 45 degree cut on all four corners, removing a little triangle of fabric about 1 inch high from each corner. Doing this helps to remove some of the bulk and make it easier for your sewing machine to get through all those layers of fabric when you get the the corners of your blanket.
I ironed the remaining two sides of my blanket, folding fabric from each side over 1/2″, ironing it well, then folding it over 1/2″ more. Once everything was ironed, it was time to sew those final two sides!
And just like that it was done and I had my own DIY Buffalo Check Throw Blanket!
The Throw is Ready to Use!
We’ve been using this throw on the couch for movie watching, but it’s also a great one to keep by the door if you need something cozy for sitting around the campfire!
As you can see, this is a great blanket, especially considering it only took about 15 minutes to put together!
A throw like this would also make a great gift if you’re already looking for DIY gift ideas for the holidays! I love a good simple sewing project like this one! If you’re looking to outfit your sofa with some new throw pillows as well, definitely check out my tutorial for how to make a DIY pillow cover in just ten minutes!
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Courtenay Hartford is the author of creeklinehouse.com, a blog based on her adventures renovating a 120-year-old farmhouse in rural Ontario, Canada. On her blog, Courtenay shares interior design tips based on her own farmhouse and her work as founder and stylist of the interior photography firm Art & Spaces. She also writes about her farmhouse garden, plant-based recipes, family travel, and homekeeping best practices. Courtenay is the author of the book The Cleaning Ninja and has been featured in numerous magazines including Country Sampler Farmhouse Style, Better Homes and Gardens, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, and Our Homes.