For this tutorial you are going to need:

simple filters

This is the image I am going to use for the plaid background:

This plaid background is going to have a little bit of a texture. I was
just goofing around in PSP when I found this option. You might already
know how to do it, but I really liked the effect and thought others might also
like it.

Ok, let's get on with the tutorial.

Click on the scratch remover tool and use
the following settings (you can change the width/selection boxes
if you want)....



Now you are going to chose a selection of the photo which you will
find great for a background.

This is the selection I chose:

Now we are going to the selection tool to select the bit (or a part of it) we
just made with the scratch remover.

After you've done that...go to image, crop to selection and this is
what you should end up with:

As you can see I have a tiny little white edge around my image and
I want to get rid of that. So go to selections, select all. After you've done that
go to selections, modify, contract and use these settings:

After this go to image, crop to selection and your little edge should be gone.

We are almost ready.......

Go to effects, plug-in filters, simple, diamonds.....

my image looks like this after applying that filter....



again go to effects, plug-in filters, simple but now chose 4 way average....

And there you have it. Your plaid background with a little texture (which is also seamless !!).

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial :-)