Awesome DIY Plaid and Tartan Crafts
Updated on September 26, 2018
Now that fall is on its way, we’re preparing to roll our wardrobes over like we do every year around this time. Slowly, as the days grow a little colder, we start to pack away our bright colours and neons and roll over into our darker shades and warmer garments so that we can layer and take advantage of the fall fashions we love the most. We also find that we tend to cling to certain patterns and designs during different seasons, so this is usually also a time where we can be found moving away from floral crafts and fashion pieces and instead starting to embrace things like houndstooth. Perhaps our very favourite fall pattern or design, however, is plaid or tartan! There’s just something so comforting and warm about that kind of design that reminds us of warm fall afternoons. That’s probably why, being the DIY lovers that we are, we’ve found ourselves searching for awesome new ways to include plaid and tartan in our crafting projects this fall.
Just in case you adore these Scottish inspired patterns just as much as we do (perhaps they’re actually part of your family’s heritage, just like us), here are 15 of the best and most interesting plaid and tartan ideas, designs, and tutorials we’ve come across so far!
1. Easy no-sew plaid blanket scarf
Perhaps you’ve actually stumbled across this list in your search process because you already have a rather large length of plaid fabric that you bought because you absolutely fell in love with the pattern, but now you’re hoping to find a way to use it to make yourself something new… even though you don’t sew? Well, you’re in luck, because The DIY Mommy is here to show you how this fantastic no-sew plaid blanket scarf is made! We think this looks like the perfect garment for snuggling up inside the front of your favourite fall coat.
2. Painted DIY plaid pattern
Perhaps you’re actually just completely enamoured with the idea of the different striping patterns and colour combinations that go into creating a particular plaid or tartan, and you can’t help but wonder whether you can recreate that effect to make new tartans? Then we have a feeling you’ll find this plaid painting tutorial featured on Sea Lemon very intriguing indeed! We did this project with our kids and, while we recreated the old traditional tartan worn by the Scottish clan in previous generations of our family tree, they created new tartans of their very own in their favourite colours!
3. Plaid fall scarf with frayed ends
Are you actually feeling quite enamoured in the idea of making yourself a fantastic plaid scarf from scratch because you’ve finally found some fabric in a colour combination you like (which you find rarely happens with the ones you’ve seen in stores), but you’re just not sure you’d wear something as big and enveloping as the previous design we showed you? In that case, we think perhaps you’ll get along a little better with this thinner alternative design featured on Francois et Moi! We love the way they also teach you how to add some stylish fringe at each end.
4. Cute tartan circle skirt
If you’re going to start working with tartan fabric, would you rather make yourself an actual garment from scratch, rather than just an accessory, no matter how much you do enjoy the scarf designs we just showed you? Well, if you’re a sewing enthusiast like we are, perhaps you’d get along a little better with something like this adorable tartan circle skirt design outlined in clear, simple steps thanks to Mighty Mannie!
5. Tartan and plaid desk accessories
Are you actually such a big fan of plaid and tartan that you’d quite like to include those patterns in your home decor as well, but you find that the area of your house that could use the most sprucing up for fall is the work area around your desk? Perhaps you’d actually like to make something that will help you incorporated tartan and plaid in your workplace office rather subtly. In either case, we’d suggest taking a look at how HomeTalk made these adorable plaid desk organizers in just a few simple steps!
6. Fitted DIY plaid skirt
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about plaid and tartan skirts, but you can’t help but feel like the material you’ve got to work with, your body’s shape, or your personal style might just fit a little better with a slimmer cut of skirt, rather than the more flowing circle design we showed you earlier on our list? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at this more fitted, “pencil” style skirt instead! Get the full instructions for making one of your own on Daisy and The Fox.
7. Easy plaid pillow covers
Were you quite intrigued indeed by the idea of incorporating plaid and tartan into your home decor but you’re still intent on working with fabric, even though you’re not really convinced that the skirts and scarves we’ve shown you are the right ideas for you? In that case, we’d absolutely encourage you to take a look at how Smart Fun DIY made these simple, neatly seamed throw pillows to add some colour and visual texture to their living room.
8. Felt and plaid Christmas ornaments
We know we’ve only just arrived at the beginning of fall but, if we’re being honest, we’re definitely the kind of over-prepared crafters that start looking for seasonal and holiday ideas earlier than we really need to so that we have lots of time to get some cute things made and hung up in time for the actual holiday itself to arrive. That’s why we were pleased to come across these cute felt and fabric plaid and tartan Christmas tree ornaments outlined step by step on The Country Chic Cottage!
9. DIY tartan coasters
Are you very interested indeed in the idea of adding tartan and plaid in subtle ways to your home, but you’d prefer a different small detail technique to the desk organizers we showed you because you spend more time with friends and family in your living room than you do near your desk? In that case, we’d absolutely encourage you to check out how Tidy Mom made these simple but fantastic looking plaid coasters by repurposing scraps of different tartan fabrics.
10. DIY plaid holiday chargers
Are you a huge fan of homemade table decor but you often aim for designs and ideas that will serve you right through fall and on into the winter, because you feel like the pattern actually suits both seasons equally? In that case, we think perhaps you’d get along quite well by making something like these plaid plate chargers outlined step by step on Sondra Lyn At Home. We think their circular shape keeps things a little more decorative looking, like something for special occasions, than a more classic rectangular dinner placemat.
11. Wool plaid mini skirt
Have you actually been scrolling through our list and appreciating each idea but you still find yourself thinking about how much you liked the idea of making yourself a tartan skirt, even though neither of the previous tutorials we showed you really and truly grabbed your attention? Then we think perhaps you’d actually prefer the ay Teen DIY made this design that’s somewhere in between! It’s not a full circle skirt but it’s also not a fitted pencil skirt either; it’s simply realized. We also love the way this tutorial gives you some helpful hints for working with thicker wool fabrics.
12. Plaid coat to overall dress
Perhaps you actually already own an old plaid coat that you adore the fabric of but that you haven’t worn in years because you don’t like the way it fits? Maybe the tartan that caught your eye was actually in the form of an oversized in the thrift store, but you bought it anyways in hopes of learning how to alter things. In either case, we’re pleased to show you how Our Life is Beautiful transformed theirs into an adorable overalls style pinafore dress that’s perfect for wearing in the fall before things get too cold.
13. Lacy A-line tartan dress
If you’re going to go to the trouble of making yourself a beautiful tartan garment from scratch, would you prefer to make it something slightly more traditionally styled, like your Scottish ancestors might have worn back in the day? In that case, we think you might actually get a long a little better with something like this beautiful A-line tartan dress with a lace bodice and a full plaid skirt. Get the full pattern and detailed instructions on Instructables.
14. DIY plaid needlepoint tartan placemat
Did we actually really catch your attention when we started talking about placemats and plate chargers that are tartan and handmade, but you’re used to making your placemats in the past with a little bit of hand stitching or needlepoint because you’re quite experienced in needlework and you’re looking for a little bit of a challenge? In that case, we have a feeling you’ll find this stunning hand stitched placemat outlined in fantastic detail on House of Rumpley.
15. No-sew plaid Christmas tree skirt
Are you actually still looking for a no-sew project to use a length of plaid fabric you picked up somewhere that you’re totally intent on using despite the fact that you’re not exactly a seamstress? Well, if you’re also the kind of prepared crafter that we were talking about earlier who adores making your homemade holiday products early, we have a feeling this fantastic no-sew tree skirt, with a cute pom pom trim and fastening ribbons, might be right up your alley. Check it out in more detail on Sincerely Saturday!
Have you made other fantastic plaid and tartan inspired DIY projects before that you were very happy with by the time you were finished but that you don’t see anything similar to on our list? Tell us all about how you made it or link us to photos of your work in the comments section!