How to Make No-Sew Over-the-Collar Bandanas for your Dog
This tutorial will show you how to make easy, no-sew dog bandanas that fit right over your dog's collar! No more bulky knots that your dog hates!
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I love the look of a bandana on a pup, especially during the summer! So far,
all my attempts to keep one on Millie have resulted in an unhappy pup.
My daughter Abby suggested I make her some bandanas that fit over her collar,
and I found
this great tutorial
that was really easy to follow.
It's a sewing tutorial, and I realize that not all of you have access to, or
know how to use, a sewing machine.
I wanted to see if I could adapt this DIY into a no-sew version, and I'm
happy to say that it worked!
I made Millie 5 new bandanas in under an hour, and she doesn't even seem to
realize that they're on her!! That's what I call a total win 🐶💗
She even posed so pretty for me so I could shoot a few photos! This little
ball of fluff is almost 4 now, and she has been such a blessing! Always ready
for a cuddle and to give kisses, soft and sweet 90% of the time lol.
How to make no-sew dog bandanas
You'll need some fun fabric or bandanas. I like to buy the fat quarters from Walmart. You can purchase just one for about $1.50, and they always have lots of variety to choose from.Wash and dry the fabric and you'll be ready to go!
Supplies for a DIY dog bandana
- fabric (fat quarters like this or bandanas) I used this cactus fat quarter
- fabric scissors
- iron with steam setting (I like to use my Cricut EasyPress)
- straight pins
- measuring tape
- Stitch Witchery
- fabric glue (pictured, but I didn't end up using)
Step 1 - cut fabric
You want to cut your fabric into a square. Millie is small (her neck measures
10"), and I cut an 8" square. You can find a
measurement guide on Ashley's tutorial that I mentioned above. But be aware you might want to adjust it
slightly for your own dog. According to the guide, for Millie's neck size I
should have cut a 6" square; however I found that made a bandana that looked
too small.
Step 2 - fold and press
Fold the fabric from one corner to the other and press with the iron. If
you're using an actual bandana, the fabric isn't always perfectly square. As
you can see in the image below, one corner doesn't perfectly match. Not a big
deal.
Step 3 - press corners
We want to make the sides of the bandana flat rather than pointed. Open the
folded square so the
wrong side of the fabric is facing up. Measure and fold the tip of the
fabric in and press. The point of the fabric should be aligned along the
pressed fold. I made my folds at 1-1/2", you may need to adjust for a larger
or smaller dog.
Step 4 - secure corners
To keep those corners we just ironed in place, we're going to add some of the
magical stitch witchery and steam it closed. This is the same product I used
when I
altered my son's graduation gown
to fit my other son.
Because I was using my Cricut EasyPress (which doesn't steam), I lightly
misted the stitch witchery with water before folding the fabric over and
ironing it shut. You may need to secure the stitch witchery with a few pins to
keep it from moving as you close the fabric over it.
*Designer tip - I followed this step even for the bandanas that I sewed
on my machine because it makes sliding the dog's collar through just
easier when that fabric is secure.
Step 5 - "sew" bandana closed
Now that the corners are pressed in and secured, fold the entire bandana in
half again, along the pressed seam so when it's folded, the wrong sides are
facing out.
Open bandana so it's lying flat and apply stitch witchery along the two edges
of one side, using pins to hold it in place. Fold the other half over and
steam closed.
*If you're using a sewing machine, fold and pin the bandana together,
wrong sides out, and stitch it closed along the two sides.
Your bandana will be a triangle once again, with the wrong sides facing out and the folded side open along each end.
Step 6 - turn right side out
Turn the bandana right side out by working the fabric through the open ends.
You can use the pointed end of a paintbrush to poke out the fabric at the
pointed end.
Here's a quick little video to show you what I mean.
Step 7 - press and insert collar
Press the bandana again, and insert your dog's collar through the opening.
* if you're sewing the bandana, before inserting the collar, you could sew
a seam along the top just to keep the collar from moving around
I hope that was easy to follow! Let me know if you have any questions.
I whipped up several cute dog bandanas for Millie to wear and they're so easy
to slip on and off her collar! The red bandana is going to be so perfect for
the 4th of July!
You can make a patriotic bandana and my easy
drop cloth flag banner
for fun puppy photo shoots!
You can see that I stitched along the top edge of the bandanas with my sewing
machine, to create a funnel for her collar, but it's not necessary. The collar
stays put without that extra seam, I just prefer the finished look.
Our sweet Millie looks awfully proud to be styling her new bandanas! Or (more
accurately), she's excited to pose for her favorite treats!
Millie and I hope you loved this post! Please let us know if your pup would
appreciate some cute bandanas without the bulk! 🐶❤🐾💗
Pin it to remember!
bringing beauty to the ordinary,
What temperature did you set your Easy Press at to bond the fabric?
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