Home » Fun and Cute » How To Make a Bandana For Your Dog in 10 Minutes
by Katlin Primrose
One of my favorite things to do when I finish grooming a dog in my shop is to send them home with a super cool bandana. They only take me a few minutes to make and my clients absolutely love them. As you might imagine, I often get asked how my clients can make their own bandanas at home. So I've decided to share a few of my bandana "recipes" here.
Quick Navigation
What You'll Need To Get Started
The "No Sew" Bandana Technique
Making a Bandana With a Sewing Machine
What You'll Need To Get Started
Before we get started we'll need a few basic things:
- A measuring tape
- A pair of scissors
- An elastic band
- Some fabric of your choice
Further down I'll explain how to use this technique using a sewing machine.
The "No Sew" Bandana Technique
Here I'll show how to make a bandana in 10 minutes using some fabric and an elastic band.
If you want something a little more long-lasting, and you have some basic sewing skills, then I recommend you check out my instructions on how to make a bandana with a sewing machine.
1. Measure Their Neck
Using a measuring tape, measure around your dog's neck where you want the bandana to sit. Add 4 extra inches to the measurement - this will ensure you have some extra length to secure the fabric, and it's comfortable for your dog to wear.
2. Make Your Triangle
Flatten out your fabric and fold to create a large triangle. The longest edge (where it's folded) is the measurement you got from your dog's neck.
3. Cutting
Once you have a perfect triangle and the measurement is right, cut along the entire fold line.
4. Secure Bandana with Elastic Bands
Place the triangles over your dogs neck, and twist the ends together shown in the picture above. Now grab an elastic band - and just like you're wrapping a pony tail, wrap the elastic band multiple times over the fabric ends to secure it.
Important Note: As a safety precaution we use elastic bands because they will purposely break under strain. Knots, buckles, or clamps will not break, and if their bandana gets caught on something it could potentially choke your dog.
5. Done
Finally, I like to fold the top of the bandana inwards to hide the cut line. And that's it! A super simple bandana.
Making a Bandana With a Sewing Machine
1. Get Your Measurement and Fold
To get the ideal measurement: lay out your dog's collar flat on a table, measure the entire length, and subtract 1/4 of the total length. For example - if your dog's collar is 20 inches long, 1/4 of that is 5 inches, leaving us with 15 inches. But feel free to make it bigger or smaller based on your personal preference.
Next: Get some fabric of your choice, and fold it to make a large triangle. The longest edge (where it's folded) will be the measurement we got of our dog's collar.
2. Cut Out Your Triangles
Cut along the entire fold line. You should now have two separate triangles of fabric.
3. Cut The Ends Off
Cut off the corners of your triangle. This is where the collar will be inserted, the more you cut off the bigger the opening will be. Ideally we want this opening to big slightly wider than the collar so it's snug but not impossible to fit in.
4. Place Right Sides Together
Place your triangles right sides together, so the printed side are facing each other.
5. Sew Long Side
Sew along the longest side of your triangles.
8. Sew The Ends
Unfold your triangle and lay print side down. Now fold the ends (the cut corners) and sew.
9. Sew Last 2 Edges
Fold the triangles back together, and we'll sew the last 2 long edges, sealing the triangle.
10. Turn Inside Out
11. Sew a Straight Line
Sew one last straight line just below the opening, this will secure the collar in place
11. Insert Collar
Slide your dog collar through the opening, and then put the collar on your dog.
12. Done!
Another Completed Example
Katlin is a 7-year certified advanced professional groomer, a registered veterinarian tech assistant (working in emergency, exotics, and general practice), and even runs her own popular collar and leash brand. You might say she's multi-talented when it comes to pets.
