A Super Quick and Easy DIY Dog Bandana Tutorial

Do you have a sweet puppy dog that needs a little style this Fall and Winter? Does your dog despise any kind of clothing, no matter how adorable they look? Yeah, same here. That’s why I’ve developed this simple DIY dog bandana tutorial to help you make a cute accessory for your canine babies.

In this post, I will go over the best fabrics for a dog bandana, how to sew it, and how to make create a dog bandana collar. Let’s do it!

Why Make a Bandana for Your Dog?

If anybody knows my girl, Obi, they know she’s a little…hyper? Dramatic? Wild at heart? Suffice it to say she does not appreciate clothing of any kind and acts like she’s being suffocated or tortured whenever I try to put a cute sweater on her. Sound familiar?

How about an entire costume? I’ve tried getting my girl into some cute outfits, but that’s a “no-go” for us. That didn’t stop me from writing an entire blog post on cute dog costumes, though! You can check it out here.

A bandana isn’t going to keep your dog warm while playing in the snow or keep the cold Autumn winds from chilling them to the bone, but my goodness, they certainly will look cute!

Is a bandana the most practical clothing piece you can put on your pup? Probably not. But for many dog moms and dads, a bandana is a significant first step to getting your puppy used to wearing something other than just a collar. 

Fabric For Dog Bandanas

Dogs like soft and cozy fabrics; that’s no secret. However, when making a dog bandana, you want to use a material that will last and won’t be too chunky to tie and wear. 

Here is a short list of fabrics that are ideal for a DIY dog bandana:

• Quilting Cotton
• Flannel
• Thin Denim
• Non-stretch Apparel
• Woven Apparel
• Canvas

Try to avoid anything that has a lot of stretch. Over time, the bandana will lose its shape, and your dog might be able to remove it if it stretches too much. I would also recommend against using any kind of fabric with sequins or other plastic pieces.

These could potentially scratch or irritate your pet’s skin or, if they came loose, could become a choking hazard. I’m always preaching against using small buttons or other embellishments on pet toys and accessories since they can be pretty dangerous. 

How To Sew a Dog Bandana

I’m going to show you the tie-method bandana, where you simply tie the bandana on your dog, and then we’ll go over a few extra steps to create a bandana that can fit onto your dog’s collar.

This is a super quick and easy project that you can make in less than an hour, even if you are entirely new to sewing. Let’s make a dog bandana!

Supplies you will need:

• Fabric: ¾ yard of 42” wide fabric
• Sewing Machine
• Thread
• Rotary Cutter and Mat (or scissors)
• Ruler or Measuring Tape

The Tie Method

Step 1: Measurements and Cut Fabric

Depending on your dog, this might be the most challenging step! You want to measure the circumference of your dog’s neck. To do this, take your measuring tape and wrap it around your dog’s neck. Make sure it isn’t tight.

I measured Obi’s neck at 15”. To ensure the ties are long enough, add 6” to that measurement. So for Obi, I need to cut a 21” square.  If your dog’s neck measures 10 ½”, you would cut a 16 ½” square. 

I am using this beautiful fabric called “Aqua Crescent Moons” from the line “Gratitude and Grace” by Kim Diehl for Henry Glass & Co. 

Step 2: Fold the Fabric

Next, we are going to fold the squares in half. Fold the fabric on a diagonal with the right sides together. Use your iron, press any wrinkles out, and create a crease on the diagonal. This will help keep our edges crisp when we go to sew.

Step 3: Sew the Triangle

Take the triangle to your sewing machine and sew the two open sides. Start on one side right at the crease and sew to the point. Then pivot the fabric under your sewing machine and sew down the other side a few inches. 

Leave a gap about 3” wide, and then sew the remainder of that side down to the crease. This gap you leave will be how you turn the triangle inside out. 

Step 4: Turn the Bandana Inside Out

Carefully turn the bandana inside out. Ensure you don’t pull too hard around the stitches at the opening. You don’t want to tear them apart or rip the fabric. 

Use a pen or pencil to gently push at the triangle’s three points. This will help the points look more crisp. 

Take the Bandana back to your ironing board and press the triangle again, removing any wrinkles and creating a crease.

Fold the edges of the opening into the bandana so they are concealed, and press the opening with the iron.

Step 5: Topstitch the Bandana

Take the bandana back to the sewing machine and topstitch around the entire triangle. Topstitch is a fancy term used for simply stitching about ⅛” from the edge of the fabric. This secures the 3” opening and gives us solid edges around the entire bandana. 

Now, if you plan to tie the bandana, it is complete! All you need to do is place it around your dog’s neck and tie a simple knot. 

If you want a more secure option where it slips onto your pup’s collar, follow the next few steps.

The Bandana Collar Method

Step 6: Fold the Ends Inward

For this option, instead of adding 6” to your dog’s neck measurement, cut a square that is the exact measurement. So, for Obi, I cut a 15” square. Follow Steps 1-5 to create a slightly smaller bandana than the bandana for the tie method.

Fold both side points in about 3” and pin them in place. Sew along the bottom edge to hold the ends in place.

Step 7: Sew the Tube

Now we are going to create the “tube.” Fold the long edge to create a large enough tube for your dog’s collar to fit through. Obi has a 1” wide collar, so I folded the edge up 1 ½”  and pinned it. 

Sew along the topstitch line you sewed before in Step 5 for a clean look. This will secure the edge of the bandana and create the perfect tube to fit over your dog’s collar. 

Wasn’t that fun? I love making things for my dog, even if sometimes she doesn’t seem to appreciate them. LOL! I hope you have lots of fun creating these adorable bandanas for your dogs, and if you make some using my tutorial, I would love to see them!

Feel free to tag me on Instagram @stitchobsessedwithmiriam. Obi would love to see her fellow furry friends wearing their fabulous bandanas!

Happy Stitches from me and Obi!