Making a dog bandana is a quick and easy project to dress up your pooch. You can make a basic or personalized bandana with excess fabric scraps from other projects. If you do not have a sewing machine or like hand-sewing, use a no-sew method that takes minutes to make.
Basic Bandana
Step 1
Measure your dog’s neck with a soft measuring tape. Add 6 inches to the measurement to allow length for tying the bandana on her.
Step 2
Place your fabric right side down on a flat surface. Place a ruler on the fabric and draw a square with a fabric marker in the size of your measurement plus 6 inches. Cut along the lines to cut out the square.
Step 3
Fold the square of fabric in half on the diagonal to form a triangle. Press the folded seam with an iron.
Step 4
Insert scissors into the fold and cut along the pressed seam. You will have two triangles after cutting the fabric. You can set aside one triangle and make an additional bandana out of it later.
Step 5
Place the fabric right side down on a flat surface. Fold a 1/4-inch seam allowance from the front to the wrong side facing up on all three sides. Press the seam allowance to hold it in place.
Step 6
Sew around the seam allowance on all three sides in the center of the pressed area either with a sewing machine or by hand with a needle and thread.
Personalized Bandana
Step 1
Make a basic bandana. Draw your pet's name onto the rough side of fusible web using stencils and a fabric marker.
Step 2
Attach fusible web letters with straight pins to a contrasting piece of fabric. The rough side of the web should touch the wrong side of fabric.
Step 3
Cut the letters out of the fabric with scissors.
Step 4
Remove the pins and iron the backing of fusible web with an iron.
Step 5
Pull the backing off the fusible web and place the letters on your bandana with the web side down. Place a damp cloth over the fabric and press your iron down firmly on each letter for about 15 seconds. Lift the iron and check the edges to see if they lift up from the bandana. If they are not secure, press the iron on each letter again in 15-second increments until they are thoroughly stuck to the fabric.
No-Sew Bandana
Step 1
Measure your pet’s neck with a soft measuring tape and add 6 inches to the measurement.
Step 2
Draw a square on a piece of fabric in the measurement plus 6 inches size. Cut the square out along the lines with pinking shears.
Step 3
Fold the square into a rectangle and press the long seam with an iron.
Step 4
Cut along the pressed seam with pinking shears. You will have two triangular bandanas.
Tips
- Consider making doggie bandanas for pet shelters and rescue services in your area. Make squares from 11 inches to 28 inches for a variety of dog sizes.
- Use a programmable sewing machine to embroider your pet's name on her bandana or embroider it by hand.
Writer Bio
Mary Lougee has been writing for over 10 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree with a major in Management and a double minor in accounting and computer science. She loves writing about careers for busy families as well as family oriented planning, meals and activities for all ages.