A bandana is a great way to dress up your dog without being too frilly. Or you can make it extra-frilly if you want. The more doo-dads you add, the harder it will be to wash. I like to make these with two different colors or patterns so you get two bandanas for the work and cost of one. This pattern lies flat, which looks better on smooth-coated dogs than the tied “cowboy style” bandana.

Cost: $0 to $10 depending on how many of the supplies you already have and what you need to buy. Mine usually run $2-$5. Fabric can be free leftovers from another project or the most expensive embroidered silk – your choice.

1. Gather supplies: paper for pattern – I use newspaper
Thread
Fabric ~ half a yard
Velcro – 1 to 2 inches
Pins
Sewing machine (or hand needle and lots of time)
Scissors
Pen or chopstick for turning corners right-side-out

Optional: Fringe, beads, lace, sequins, sew-on badges, etc.
Iron for flattening seams
Supervisor cat

Step 1:

2. Cut out and test-fit pattern on dog. Adjust as necessary.

Step 2:

3. Lay out 2 layers of fabric, right sides together. The sides can be the same or different fabrics.

Step 3:

4. Pin pattern to doubled fabric.

Step 4:

5. Cut out. Remove pattern and re-pin fabric together. If using fringe or lace trim, pin the trim between layer and pointed INSIDE. If the fringe is slippery, you may want to sew it to one piece of fabric before pinning the two halves together.

Step 5:

6. Sew the pieces together with a 1/4 to 3/8 inch seam allowance, leaving a 5-inch gap along the convex (neck) edge.

Step 6:

7. Trim corners. Turn right-side out, using a pen or chopstick to get the last bit of corner to turn out.

Step 7:

8. Pin the last 5 inches of seam together. Sew shut with a 1/8 inch seam allowance and continue around the bandana to stabilize the edges and give it a finished look. If desired, iron the bandana to make sewing the edges easier. I would have done this 20 years ago, but don’t bother now unless I have really uncooperative fabric.

Step 8:

9. Sew Velcro strips on the end flaps; one on side A and one on side B.

Step 9:

10. You can fasten the bandana ends either 90 degrees or straight, whichever fits your dog best. Put the bandana on your dog and you’re stylin’.

Here is a picture of a bandana collection I made for a charity fundraiser.