In the fall and winter, I love, love, love having a throw blanket (or a few) laying around. They function for both cozy snuggles AND cozy decor, especially a plaid throw blanket. And I recently decided that the easiest way to make one was to upcycle some of the wool scarves that I found at few thrift stores.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Maybe I lucked out, but I found a few here and there at a handful of thrift stores. Just hanging next to acrylic and handknit scarves.
A few had little flaws here and there (a snag, a moth-eaten hole, etc.). But I threw them in my cart anyway; it was like a passport through the British Isles!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Once I had all the wool scarves at home, I carefully laundered them (cold water, wool setting, air dry, etc.).
Now I could get to work on creating a plaid throw blanket with one of the easiest sewing projects you could imagine!
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Crafting with Wool Scarves
Once the wool scarves were clean and dry, I laid them out on the floor to determine how I wanted my tartan throw to look. They weren’t all the exact same length, but that didn’t bother or deter me from my upcycling idea.
OF COURSE Cottonball got all kinds of excited and jumped on the scarves.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
So, I moved my scarves in hopes to start working on the my plaid throw blanket.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
But, our other cat, Wrigley, decided it was his turn.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Finally, the cats got bored and moved on. Now I could begin piecing together a throw blanket from the collection of wool scarves.
Stitching Together a Plaid Throw Blanket
First, I pinned the two of the wool scarves together, overlapping them by one inch.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And yes, that IS my pin cushion in a teapot project that you see there! I use it all the time for my sewing crafts.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Then, with my sewing machine, I carefully stitched right along the edge of the tartan scarf that was one top.
When I was done, I flipped it over, and again stitched along the edge of the now-on-top scarf, thus avoiding an “overlap flap”.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Each seam had two lines of stitches- does that make sense? Thus, the plaid blanket would be securely pieced together and nearly seamless on both sides.
I did this over and over again with each consecutive scarf until each one was secured to the next.
Plaid Throw Blanket from Wool Scarves
When the pins were removed and the thread tails snipped, I had a wool throw blanket that was inexpensive and SO easy to make!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Isn’t that a perfect little wool throw blanket? Made by simply stitching together a handful of inexpensive wool scarves from the thrift store.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Isn’t that wonderful? I love mixing plaids, as evident with my fall table runner and flannel holiday wreath. And now I have a plaid throw blanket that matches without matching at all!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Speaking of simple sewing projects, did you know that I have a craft book available that is FILLED with flannel projects?
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I hope you’ll check it out! It’s available for online purchase from Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart.
And if you enjoyed this upcycling idea for cozy decor with wool scarves, then you’ll also love this door draft blocker I made from flannel shirts. It helps to winterize your home and look cozy at the same time!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
What a great idea! I really like the look of all the different plaids pieced together. It looks great on your porch too:). Take care, Tara
Thank you, Tara!
Wonder if wool attracts cats? Seems to in your home! Great idea! I always see lots of wool (and other kinds) of scarves at the thrift stores. Would be great blankets for the homeless. I have used pretty scarves that are long as a table runner!
It might, Rose!! 😀
Great way to add plaid to your decor without spending a fortune! I will be on the lookout for plaid scarves from now on!
Thank you so much!
love the tree scarf idea! and your wool blanket is awesome! I want one so will plan on hitting our local goodwill too! Thanks for the idea!
Awww, thank you!!
I think the scarf pay it forward is awesome! and fun!! I love love the way you put all the wool plaid scarves together to make a blanket. I am on a hunt for scarves now!
Thanks, Linda!
This is such a great idea, and I love the blanket! I need to start searching for scarves now. Thanks for sharing it at the Vintage Inspiration Party – I’m pinning it to my “Spotted at the VIP board here – https://www.pinterest.com/knickoftime/spotted-at-the-vip-vintage-decor-repurposed-projec/
Thank you so very much, Angie!
What a completely brilliant idea, and perfect for all kinds of people I know for the holidays. 😉
Thank you so much!
Hi Sarah, Love this idea! Gotta head to my local goodwill and do some shopping, both for my plaid blanket and for dropping around town. I have some old Woolrich scarves that belonged to my parents that have been sitting in my closet for years, so it’d be good to work those in as well. BTW…noticed you are in Greenville, as in NC? If so, I’m right down the road in Wilmington.
Thank you, Lynn!! I’m actually in Greenville, South Carolina- so, closer to the western part of your state. I’ve had the Wilmington/Jacksonville/Outer Banks on my to-go list for several years, though. I’d love to do a roadtrip to check out local junk and thrift shops for a Shotgun! post. 🙂
Great idea! I love the blanket.
Thanks, Virginia!
This is such a great idea. Everyone has old scarves they no longer use. You are so creative and talented. I am simply amazed every time I visit your blog.
Thank you so, so much, Mary- I can’t tell you how much it means to hear that. A sincere thanks to you!
Great Idea! And so pretty and cozy. After sewing the scarves, did you cut the ends to even up or did you just leave them as is? Thanks!!
Thank you, Fran! I just left the ends as they were- each of the scarves has fringe, so I left them alone…even if they’re not exactly the same length. 🙂
plaids are cool…and such fun to use them again in a better shape 🙂
Thank you!
Such a fun idea Sarah. I love it! I also love the idea of the scarves around the trees to be passed on to someone else. I also love plaid and just shared a post about how I use it each year. Thanks for sharing with SYC. Pinning to my what else?, “Mad About Plaid’ board. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
Thank you so much, Jann! Appreciate it as always.
What a fantastic DIY blanket! And such a lovely idea with the scarves on trees!
#ThursdayFavoriteThings
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thanks, Shelbee!!
Btw, I featured this post on my weekly post Little Bits of Inspiration. Thanks for inspiring!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you, Shelbee!
Love this idea!!!]
Found it at Welcome Home Wednesday Link party
Thank you so much, Chris!
Ah…the warmth of a wool blanket! Great idea to make one with wool scarves! Thanks for sharing on Throwback Thursday! 🙂
Thanks so much, Linda!
This is a great idea! I love the way the plaids look together also!
Kate | TheOrganizedDream.com
Thank you, Kate!
Two fabulous ideas with one great find! I love the wool throw idea making it out of scarves and I also love the community idea of hanging them on trees. I must go visit my local thrift to see what lovely wool scarves I can find!
Thanks, AnnMarie!
a good idea, however, if they are tied to a tree they are exposed to the elements instead of tying them around the tree put them in a ziplock plastic bag and tie the bag to the tree with the note
What a great idea!! I love making things from other things!! Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
Thanks so much!
What if all of the scarves are different sizes? Any thoughts? I’d like to go look for some but I’ll bet I don’t find all of the same sizes.
Mine we’re the same size, either! As you can see in this photo: http://www.sadieseasongoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/4_putting_wool_plaid_scarves_together_into_a_blanket_Sadie_Seasongoods.jpg , they were different lengths. It didn’t bother me, so I left them as-is. 🙂
What a neat idea! Love this!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thanks so much!
Both of these are such fun ideas! Thanks for bringing them over to Throwback Thursday. I know that I have a whole box of scarves at home.
Thanks so much!
These are great ideas! I love the blanket and the sharing of littering with the scarves! Brilliant! Thank you for sharing and linking up with us over at the Welcome Home Wednesdays Link Party!
Thanks so much, Lisa!
Great blanket! Love this idea. It is not only trendy, but a great way to upcycle all those Christmas past scarfs that abound in thrift shops. Looks so cozy too.
It definitely is!!! Thank you! 🙂
You always come up with the most unique ideas. I absolutely love your plaid blanket from thrifted scarves. Thank you for sharing it at Vintage Charm and hope to see you back this week!
Thank you, Sharon!
Great project!! Thanks for linking the pin up at Pinbellish last week! I loved it so much I’m featuring you at our next party! Congrats!
Thank you, Gina!!
What fantastic ideas…I love both of them equally and for different reasons! I hope the plaid train doesn’t end anytime soon, because I’m not ready to leave it either. I found your blog via the “Your Home Decor and More” link party!
Jessica @ Finding Purpose Furniture
Thanks so much, Jessica!
I love this idea! I never would have thought of it. Plaid is so in and this is perfect! Thanks for linking up to the Your Home Decor & More Link party! ? Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much!!
Excellent project!!! I’ll have to look out for scarfs while thrift shopping! Thanks for sharing at the Your Home Decor and More link party!! Excited to see what you will share next month. Pinning and sharing
Thank you so much! It’s already come in VERY handy this year. 🙂
What great ideas! I love the sharing a scarf thing and the blanket. Your cats are too cute. Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Thank you so much!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea!!! So glad you shared it at the link up this week! And I checked out that FB page you mentioned too! Hadn’t heard of it, so glad you introduced me to it 🙂
Thank you so much!!
Beautiful! What a fun and unique idea. I love your kitty cat helpers, too!
Thank you for sharing this week at Brag About It link party on VMG206 (Mondays at Midnight).
~ Megin of VMG206
Thanks, Megan!!!
I like this idea. Now to shop for some scarves. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! It has REALLY come in handy this winter. 🙂
What a clever idea, it turned out so cute!
Thank you, Karee!
Totally genius, I love the effect of all the different patterns and that it has been made with reused materials!
Thank you so much- that’s what my entire blog is about (repurposing and upcycling)!
Really love this idea thank you !!
Thank you so much, Brenda!
Beautiful!
Thank you so much! It’s an older project, but I still use it each winter. 🙂
I would add a back piece blanket to the scarves for mega warmth! beautiful project! thank you for sharing!