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Free DIY dog bandana pattern

DIY dog bandana patternWe 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.

upcycled dog scarf diy

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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free dog bandana sewing pattern

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:

free dog bandana pattern

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

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!
upcycle tshirt to dog scarf

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Trisha

Saturday 25th of November 2023

Oh I forgot! I extended the ties by two inches. That’s why I’d suggested getting 1/3 yd so I wouldn't have to piece the material ties to the scarf.

Trisha

Saturday 25th of November 2023

I love this pattern! I like where the ties don’t have raw edges This is the 5 th I’ve made & I would suggest getting 1/3 of a yd rather than 1/4.

Trisha

Thursday 17th of August 2023

I loved your pattern! I especially liked how the material curves around the neck! I needed to lengthen the ends & next time I make some, I’m going to extend it two inches. Thanks!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Sunday 17th of September 2023

Love to hear it worked well for you :)

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.

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