Make A Dog Bandana

Learn how to make a dog bandana just the right size for your dog or doggie. All you'll need is a small amount of material that matches or enhances your dog's coloring.

Following are a few ways to make a dog bandana:

Use one piece of fabric, per our Basic Bandana instructions below. (The bandana may look different when you turn it over due to the pattern you use)

To get two different bandanas with one sewing, use two different pieces of fabric for the top and bottom. See our Two Tone Bandana directions below.

If your dog already has a bandana that fits, you can take the old one and use it as a pattern for a new one. See Using An Existing Bandana For A Pattern at the bottom of this page.

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BASIC BANDANA

ESTIMATED TIME

• One to two hours

• Cotton or cotton-like fabric:
  
  • Length:
    Smaller dog - circumference of dog's neck + 14 inches (355mm);
    * Larger dog - circumference of dog's neck + 18 inches (460mm)
    
  • Height:
    * Smaller dog - 4 to 6 inches (100 to 155mm)
    (We suggest 4 inches for a dog under 10 lbs, 5 inches for dogs 10 to 30 lbs,6 inches for dogs 30 to 50 lbs)
    * Larger dog - 7 to 9 inches (180 to 230mm);
    (We suggest 7 inches for a dog around 50 to 70 lbs, 8 inches for a dog 70 to 90 lbs, 9 inches for a dog above 90 lbs)

• Thread to blend in with your fabric
• Pencil for marking
  (Note: We used a black marking pen so it would show up on photos)
• Straight pins
• Needle or sewing machine

ESTIMATED COST

• Fabric = 1/4 to 1/2 the cost of a yard; USD 2 to 3.00
• Thread = USD 1.25
• Straight pins = USD 1.25

INSTRUCTIONS - MARKING AND CUTTING

• Double your fabric, wrong sides out, folding along the length

• Fold in half again, along the width this time
• Pin the pieces together
• For a larger dog measure 7 to 9 inches (180 to 230mm) from the folded corner (mark A)
  
• For a smaller dog, measure 4 to 6 inches (100 to 155mm) out from the folded corner (mark A)
  
• Mark the upper point (B) with a dot or pin. This will be the peak of your triangle
• With a straight edge, draw a dotted line from point B to C, mark C



• Cut along this line, removing the area above the line (the crosshatched area in the photo)

INSTRUCTIONS - PINNING AND SEWING

• Unfold the remaining double triangle, and refold with right sides out
• Fold the top edge under about 1/2 inch (12mm) and pin
• Fold the bottom edge over to the inside to match the top
• (As you go, you can remove the pins from the top edge and pin both edges together)
• Keep the top point of the triangle in the middle of your bandana
• Make points out of the bottom two corners as best as you can - you may have to cut off excess material before folding and sewing
• Sew together by hand or machine about 1/8 inch (2 to 3mm) from the edges

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TWO TONE BANDANA

• Lay the two fabrics on top of each other
• Pin wrong sides together
• Allow 1/2 inch (12mm) along each of the three sides for seams
• Follow the instructions above, starting with folding the width
• To finish, fold and sew along all three edges

USING AN EXISTING BANDANA FOR A PATTERN

• Double your fabric
• Put the template bandana on top, aligning the longest edge with the fold in the fabric (See photo under Basic Bandana headline)
• Refold if necessary to show the pattern you want to end up with
• Pin in place. Be sure to smooth the fabric out underneath as you go
• Cut out material, adding 1/2 inch for seams on the two shorter sides
• Finish as per Pinning and Sewing Instructions above