We adopted a puppy! Introducing Jango Leia (can you tell my kids love Star Wars!), our new mixed-breed mystery dog. I wanted to introduce him looking spiffy so I upcycled an old tshirt from my thrifting stash into a cute doggy bandana and now you can too with this free DIY dog bandana pattern! He was not amused and kept trying to chew it, but at least he looks cute.
He weighs about 30 pounds and this bandana has plenty of room to grow. I don’t have any bigger dogs at my disposal so I’m just sharing this one size so far, but it would be easy to trace out bigger or use a snap instead of tying a knot to make it fit more pooches.
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Isn’t that face sweet! Don’t let him trick you, he gnaws on us every chance he gets (don’t worry, my husband is working on it and training him well!) and sleeps way less than the internet says he should (not unlike my children). Nevertheless, we are having a lot of fun with him and you can expect more DIY dog projects in the future!
Pin this free DIY dog bandana pattern for later, using this link or photo:
How to make a free DIY dog bandana pattern
Supplies
- An old adult t-shirt or 1/4 yard of knit fabric
- Ballpoint needles
- Iron
- Clips
- Microtip scissors
- Rotary cutter
- Pattern weights
- Tape
- Coordinating thread
-
Free bandana pattern –sign up for my newsletter and get the free download once you confirm your subscription! If you’re already a subscriber, you can access the pattern with the password in each newsletter, in the resource library. Normally I have my patterns aligned so you line up everything flush, tape, and cut, but that would’ve added a third piece of paper with this that felt wasteful. There are only two pieces so just cut them both out and tape together, it’s easy!
Steps
Step 1- Cut up the side seams of your shirt and fold it up “hamburger style” (anyone remember that?) so the bottom hem is touching the neckline. The pattern doesn’t need to stretch much so it doesn’t matter that the fabric grain will be going the wrong way, but make sure to keep the fold nice and straight.
Step 2- Lay the pattern out and cut out 2 bandana pieces.
Step 3- Clip the bandanas right sides together , leaving a roughly 3 inch gap open and sew with a 3/8″ seam allowance, starting and reversing stitches a little at the beginning and end of the seam.
Step 4- Clip off the point of the triangle and cut a few notches out of the small curved ends. Pull it right side out the gap you left and use the iron to press all the seams and tuck the raw edges inside the gap.
Step 5- Sew along the edges, closing the gap. You can continue topstitching all the way around if you prefer; I’m lazy and like the more casual look! You’re done!
Diane
Sunday 2nd of May 2021
How can I make this pattern bigger for a Labourer.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Sunday 2nd of May 2021
Hi Diane! If you're using a stretchy tshirt you might not have to depending on the size of the dog, my puppy is now 60 pounds and they still fit fine. But you could print it and trace around bigger too.
Patty
Sunday 20th of December 2020
I found the pattern but it just has a save button no print button? Maybe put the print directions on your supply list. Help please. Patty
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Sunday 20th of December 2020
Hi Patty, if you found the pattern it is in PDF form and should be able to print and save? It is a PDF linked on my pattern resource library. Let me know if you think you're in the right place, it is password protected and you got the link and password after signing up for my newsletter.
Net
Wednesday 30th of September 2020
I have tried,and tried to find the pattern for this dog bandana, with no luck. I have subscribed to your newsletter,used the password and I still can't find the pattern. Can you please help me.
Stephanie R
Sunday 13th of December 2020
Same here. Did you ever find it?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Saturday 7th of November 2020
I emailed a while back, but did you get this sorted?
Julianne Lynch
Wednesday 27th of May 2020
Looks like you do not necessarily have to use stretch fabric?? The fabric I want to use is just a woven fabric...do you think it will be OK for this project??
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Wednesday 27th of May 2020
Hi! I think it would be fine as long as it isn't super bulky, which would make it hard to tie the knot.
Dolores
Wednesday 6th of May 2020
He's adorable. I've been wanting to make bandanas for my two mystery pups. Thank you so much.