Buffalo Plaid & Buffalo Check Upholstery Fabric & Drapery Fabric

Shop Buffalo Check Upholstery Fabric

As the story goes, buffalo check, which is a two-color or three-color striped fabric in a pattern of large, equal-sized squares, has been around since the mid-1800s. It's said to have originated in the Woolrich Woolen Mills, the oldest woolen mill in the United States, founded in 1830. The mill’s initial product was a plaid woolen shirt that became an instant hit with workers especially those working outdoors and needing protection from the elements.

Buffalo check, also called buffalo plaid or Queen Charlotte’s check, has long been a popular fabric style for furniture upholstery. It also is popular for draperies and curtains. We offer a great selection of buffalo check upholstery, curtain and drapery fabric in a broad range of colors and in numerous different constructions such as 100% cotton, 100% spun polyester, 100% olefin and a polyester/cotton/rayon mix. Top-name manufacturers include P/Kaufmann, Waverly, Covington, Roth & Tompkins and Premier Prints. Check out our large selection of buffalo check fabrics.

Buffalo Check Color Combinations

Traditional Buffalo check is basically a criss-crossing of horizontal and vertical stripes creating a large square check design.

It's interesting that by using only 1 color, a printed buffalo check fabric will have three shades of checks. For example, by using a white base cloth with a printed light blue horizontal and vertical stripe, the resulting fabric will have a white background base color and a darker shade of blue in the the area that the blue stripes criss-cross. You can see as exampled below:

Buffalo plaid and check fabrics are available in a variety of color combinations and textures. The design may be created by weaving with multiple colors of yarn or printed on a base cloth that is typically white or off white. Either way, the result is a soft yet colorful fabric for furniture upholstery as well as a very popular fabric for window treatments.

Common Applications for Buffalo Check Home Decorating Fabric

Buffalo check is a highly utilized fabric by interior designers and decorators for various home decor including:

• Furniture Upholstery
• Curtains
• Draperies
• Decorative Pillows
• Bed Covering

Buffalo Check Fabric FAQs

What is buffalo check fabric?

Buffalo check sometimes called buffalo plaid fabric is a style of check fabric that is a basically a criss-crossing of horizontal and vertical stripes creating a large square check design. It is a very popular home decorating selection for furniture upholstery and window treatments.

Why is it called buffalo fabric?

Rumor has it that the term “buffalo” came from several different sources. One historical account states that the term “buffalo check” was given to the pattern by Native Americans who traded the blankets with frontiersman, Big Jock McCluskey, a descendant of Rob Roy of Scotland, where the famed checkered pattern is originally from.

Another story-line, says that the Woolrich company, who’s owner originally created the recognizable red and black patterned shirts, named it buffalo check in honor of his beloved herd of buffalo.

Where to buy buffalo check fabric?

Buffalo check is a very popular style of home decorating upholstery, drapery and curtain fabric and is available at many sources. At DecorativeFabricsDirect.com you can find a wide variety of woven and printed buffalo check fabrics from industry leading mills including P/Kaufmann, Waverly, Covington, Roth & Tompkins and Premier Prints and all are available by the yard and at factory direct wholesale pricing with the convenience of online shopping.