Recycled Scarf Buffalo Check Ornaments. How to recycle an inexpensive dollar store plaid scarf into adorable snow-capped embroidery hoop ornaments with woodland Christmas charm. Made for my daughter's Christmas tree where indestructible ornaments are a must. With a curious thirteen-month-old and three cats, ornaments on the tree are considered playthings.

Repurposed Buffalo Check Scarf Ornaments

When I bought the red and black buffalo check fleece scarves in early Fall I had no idea what I was going to do with them. With buffalo plaid being all the rage during the holidays, I knew if I didn't grab them while the pick'ns were good, they'd be gone in a flash. 

These woodland Christmas ornaments are not difficult to make and the most time-consuming part is waiting for the faux snow to dry. They are an inexpensive holiday decor idea too with dollar store finds. 


The most expensive part of these ornaments is the embroidery hoops but I bought them in bulk online to save money. I've included links to all the products further down in the post.


Each ornament was stenciled with cute festive Christmas designs, also ordered online in a package of 14. I've got a few uses out of the stencils already this holiday season! First on the pocket of the flannel shirt-lined DIY Christmas Box, and the faux mercury glass Jewelry Box Door Ornament.

I also used them to embellish the top of the 12 Days Of Kindness Advent Calendar and recently on the Winter Embroidery Hoop Sweater Wreath. The tops of each ornament got the look of glistening fallen snow. 

What you'll need to make them

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Supply List

4" Embroidery Hoops
Fleece Buffalo Check Fabric (dollar store scarf)
Small Christmas Stencils
Small Stencil Brush
White Acrylic Paint with Fabric Medium
1/4" Black Velvet Ribbon
Grapevine Branches (from old wreath) or Cinnamon Sticks
Snow-Tex
White Glitter

Tools:
Scissors
Garden Sheers
Artist Pallet Knife
Hot Glue Gun

How To Make Snow-Capped Buffalo Check Ornaments

Step 1 - Supplies

You'll need a simple inexpensive fleece scarf or table runner, 4-inch embroidery hoops, and small Christmas stencils (links in the supply list).

Step 2 - Cut Fleece Scarf Fabric

Loosen the screw on the embroidery hoop rings and separate the inner ring from the outer and set aside. Measure and cut five 8-inch squares out of the fleece scarf. I cut the buffalo check pattern on the diagonal to make it a little more interesting.

Step 3 - Stenciling The Fleece Fabric

• Mask off any areas of the stencil you will not be stenciling.
  Tip: I used masking tape but I would recommend a less sticky painters tape so it can easily be removed without harming the stencil.
• Spray stencil adhesive onto the backs of the stencils and wait about a minute before lining them up on each 8-inch fleece square. Center the pattern both vertically and horizontally. I wasn't too fussy and just eyeballed it.
• If you don't have fabric paint, mix 1 part fabric medium to 2 parts white acrylic craft paint.
• The paint will absorb into the fleece so you'll need to do around 3-4 coats, letting it dry between coats. I sped the process up with a heat gun (blow dryer works too) on the low heat setting.
• Use a smaller stencil brush and either pounce or swirl the paint onto the fabric. To avoid paint bleed under the stencil make sure the paint is offloaded onto a paper towel first. The brush should look and feel almost dry to the touch.
• Remove the stencils when you're happy with the opaqueness of the white paint and wait until the paint is completely dry before moving onto the next step.
• Once the stencil paint is dry, place the 8-inch fleece squares over the inner ring of the embroidery hoop.
• Slip the outer ring over the fabric and inner hoop, stretching the fleece until its smooth and flat. Tighten the screw on the outer ring.
• Trim the excess fabric or tuck it inside the back of the hoop and secure with hot glue.

Step 5 - Mini Stacked Logs Embellishment

To make mini stacked logs you can use grapevine branches from a tattered wreath, small branches, or cinnamon sticks.

• Whatever you use cut them into 3-inch logs with garden sheers.
• Stack the mini logs and secure them with a hot glue gun.
• Cut 1/4-inch black velvet ribbon (I ran out and used black organza ribbon too but my preference is a heavier looking velvet) into 14-inch strips.
• Slip the center of the ribbon under the stacked logs and add a dab of hot glue to hold in place.
• Slip the back strand of ribbon through the clasp on the embroidery hoop and tie or hot glue the ribbon closed.
• Add a little dab of glue behind the stacked logs to secure them to the ornaments.

Step 6 - Faux Snowcapped Embellishment

The final step is adding the look of freshly fallen snow on the top of the ornaments and stacked logs.

• With an artist's knife or small paintbrush, dab layers of Snow-Tex where falling snow would naturally settle.
• Place a cookie sheet or cardboard box on your work surface to collect the extra glitter to use later.
• Before it dries, make the snow glisten by sprinkling white glitter over the wet snow.

And there you have it, rustic woodland Christmas ornaments made with an inexpensive dollar store buffalo check fleece scarf that is cat and toddler-proof for the family tree.

If you have any questions about this Buffalo Check Ornament tutorial, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top. I love hearing from you!

If you enjoyed this Rustic Buffalo Check Ornament idea, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your DIY Ornaments or Holiday Decor Ideas board on Pinterest.



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