How to make a pet bandana
Thread it onto the collar and your dog or cat instantly looks the part. Because the top edge folds into a channel that the collar passes through, there's nothing to tie — it slips on and off in seconds. Lovely for walks, outings and birthday photos.
1. Materials & tools
Materials (a medium dog)
- Fabric (cotton, oxford) — about 30 cm (12 in) square
- For a double-layer version, two pieces
Tools
- Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
- Fabric marker or pencil
- Ruler and scissors
- Iron
- Pins or clips
2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)
With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.
- Open the tool
Open the pattern tool and choose “Pets” → “Pet bandana” from the tabs at the top. - Enter the size
Enter the top (neck) edge, the drop length and the collar-channel fold-back, or pick a small / medium / large preset. The single triangle pattern folds at the top into a collar channel. - Set the seam allowance
Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in). - Print
Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.
3. Cutting the fabric
- Cut
Cut from the triangle pattern: one piece for a single layer, two for a double layer. - Finish the edges
For a single layer, triple-fold hem the three edges. For a double layer, sew right sides together and turn.
4. Sewing
4-1. Finish the two drop edges
- Single layer: triple-fold hem the two diagonal edges.
- Double layer: sew right sides together except the top edge, then turn right side out.
4-2. Make the collar channel
- Fold the top edge back by the channel amount and sew, forming a tunnel the collar can pass through.
4-3. Thread the collar
- Pass the collar through the channel, then put the collar on your dog or cat as usual.
5. Tips & variations
- Channel width: check your collar's width plus a little ease before deciding the fold-back, so it threads smoothly.
- Seasonal prints: make them in holiday or seasonal fabrics for photogenic results.
- Name embroidery: stitch a name on the point to double as an ID tag.
Generate the pattern for free in Katagami and print it at actual size. Change the size and try again in seconds.
Open the pattern tool →