How to make a stylish DIY dog bandana with binding. Check out our new monogrammed dog (and cat) bandanas with contrasting binding trim and neck ties. These pretty red and white bandanas were created for our boys for Canada Day, but they can do double duty for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or just for dress-up fun. I even made a mini cat bandana for Tiger, although his doesn’t have a monogram iron-on as it’s much smaller. Here’s how to make a simple stylish DIY pet bandana with binding.
Canadogs and Canadian Kitties
As shared in our post with free printable Canada Day treat labels, we’re all the way on the other side of the world in New Zealand, but Canada is where Laura/Momma grew up. Its also where our cat brother Tiger was born. Tig is a jet-setting rescue kitty. He travelled around Canada and then the world. The international moagie of mystery!
This DIY is easily adapted to other colour schemes. Alternatively, for our Canadian readers, you can go full maple for an extra special Canadian version by using pattern fabrics, a maple leaf iron-on, or stamp your own design. If you have a computer controlled cutter, like our Cricut, you can create a custom iron-on (see examples in our Cricut craft posts). You can also hand cut or punch heat transfer materials.
Maple fabrics are doggone tricky to get down here in New Zealand, but we do have a bandana bought for Oli many many years ago. I went with the versatile red and white instead here, for Canada Day and other wear.
As a little update, we received some special fabrics from family and have added some new marvellous maple bandanas to our homemade bandana collection. Those Canada Day photos are some of the last pictures I have of sweet Oli before he crossed the rainbow bridge.
Making DIY Dog Bandanas with Bound Edges
Binding Options
You can use ready-made binding for this DIY or make your own. I made my own binding. It’s very simple, especially for short lengths like this that don’t require joining. Since I wanted an extra wide contrasting edge, I did it by hand ironing instead of using my binding makers as easy guides. I also opted to make my bandana triangles here slightly obtuse (wider and shorter than a right triangle bandana) instead of the easier-to-bind right (90 degree) bottom edge.
When making a DIY dog bandana with binding you can easily customise colours and sizes any way you please. Check out our post on making and using binding tapes for information, techniques, and tips. These bandanas were one of my earlier binding projects, but pet projects are awesome opportunities for learning or practising skills. They don’t judge on looks, just love!
Materials and Supplies
To make a similar DIY dog bandana with binding (bound edge bandana), you will need:
- Fabric for the body of the bandana
- Binding or fabric to make binding for the trim and ties
- Complimentary coloured thread
- Sewing machine
- General cutting / sewing supplies
- Iron and ironing board
- Iron-on embellishments (optional)
For the best results in ongoing wear and washing, the fabrics should have similar properties and care requirements. Washable fabrics are recommended for dog clothing. With a high-contrast bandana like this, you’ll want colour fast fabrics and you should pre-wash before use. I used a white heavy cotton for shape and a lighter weight red for the binding.
Sewing a Bound Edge Dog (or Cat) Bandana with Trim Ties
Preparing the body of the bandana:
- Cut a triangle of fabric such that the long edge is big enough to fit one side (finished bandana can be worn sideways, front, or back) and to the edges of your pet’s neck.
Preparing the binding:
- Buy a ready made binding or create your own double-fold binding (if not using premade) by using two long narrow strips of fabric. See our detailed post on making and using binding tape if you need a hand creating your own binding.
- You will need two pieces of binding for each bandana:
- One piece that is long enough for the two side edges of your bandana triangle, plus spare to work with for cornering.
- One piece that is long enough to fully encircle your pet’s neck plus extra for tying into a knot (or, if you prefer, longer for a bow).
Binding is pretty easy to sew (especially wider binding on a sturdy base). The tricky bit is turning a neat corner, but that’s easy too, once you know how. Fortunately, there are tons of great tutorials and videos on-line if you need a hand! See our binding tape post for help. You can also find examples in other posts, including several of our DIY dog blankets, posts for a step-by-step on turning a corner with binding as well as helpful links. My personal top tip is not to skimp on ironing before and during sewing binding. It’s extremely helpful in getting a neat finish.
Attaching the binding:
- Sew your binding around the side edges of your triangle (excluding the top/neck edge). Take extra care when turning and positioning at the bottom point of your bandana for a neat fold.
- Trim any excess fabric from the top edge if/as may be needed before attaching the top/neck binding.
- Hem or (optional) iron to point the unfinished ends of your top/neck binding to finish the tips of your tie.
- Position the binding centred on the top edge of the bandana with the raw edge of your triangle sandwiched in the middle and pin to secure. Sew into place.
Adding optional embellishments:
A DIY dog bandana with binding can be doggone dapper on its own, but we styled these bandanas with simple fabrics to use with our initial irons-ons. If embellishing with an iron-on, position and apply according to manufacturer’s directions. You could also embellish with stamps, stencils, embroidery, etc. See our post on easy embellished DIY dog bandanas for application tips and alternative embellishment ideas.
Celebrating in Style!
Ready to wear and celebrate in style! Of course, modelling often doesn’t quite go to plan. Hehehe. Blue-steel Humphrey was unimpressed to share the spotlight with Oli. Look at the snobby little minx in the collage above. Oh my… I should know better than to try and get a sensible photo of these two dressed-up together by now. They’re often like this when I try to pose them together, cheeky rascals. Just like human kids!
