Bow Tie Dog Bandana Pattern: Free PDF Template
Make your dog the cutest pooch at the dog park with a bow-tie bandana that you sewed yourself using this free dog bandana pattern! This sewing tutorial comes with a free printable pattern template with three different bandana sizes and a how-to video.
A pet bandana is the perfect sewing project for beginners because it’s so fast and easy. You can start and finish in about an hour, I promise! Build your sewing skills and have so much fun.
This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF thatโs optimized for printing. Find it here. The free Dog Bandana Pattern is included in the blog post below and is totally free to read, print, and sew! Just hit CTRL +P on your computer to print. The PDF download is inexpensive and optional. Did you know you can get ALL the Optimized for Printing PDF files organized in a library for you to access anytime you want? Check it out.
I LOVE to dress up our dogs with bandanas. They look adorable no matter how much the bandana turns around. If the V-shape is in the front or the back (or the side), it doesn’t matter! It’s cute every way.
I’m sure a bandana would also look cute on a pet cat, pig, chicken, llama, ferret, goat, or human! Tell me in the comments who you made one for.
Don’t miss these other free sewing patterns for pets:
- How to sew a dog collar
- Easy tutorial for cage comforters
- Scrappy Pet Leash pattern
Choosing the Right Size to Make
This pattern includes 3 different sizes. The bandanas tie with an easy bow-tie square knot at the back (or the front – as you wish) so they are adjustable. You can even make a reversible dog bandana by using two different fabrics like I did for Lola.
We have two large dogs and one small dog. Our large pups both have a 19” neck and were happy to model both the medium and the large size bandanas so you can see the difference.
The tie is thick like a bow tie, so handsome! It fits right over the dog’s collar.
The small bandana ties like a bow tie too, just smaller.
Just so you know, the small size can be sewn with fabric scraps or a fat quarter.
Make sure to measure around your dog’s neck where the collar sits to determine what size to make. Here is a handy chart:
Neck Measurement | Bandana Size |
up to 12” | small |
up to 20” | medium |
up to 30” | large |
Feel free to size up if you want the ‘bib’ part to be more generous. You can always make it smaller depending where you tie the knot.
Let’s sew Bow Tie Bandanas!
I used regular quilting cotton fabric, but any kind of fabric will work great.
You will need:
- a fat quarter or 1/2 yard of fabric for size small
- 5/8 yard of fabric for size medium
- 3/4 yard of fabric for size large
- matching thread
- cutting tools such as fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and mat.
- pins
- sewing machine
Dog Bandana Sewing Pattern Template and Instructions
1. After downloading the dog bandana template above, make sure to print at 100%. Do not enlarge or reduce the size of the images. You can choose whether you want or need to print all of the pages.
For size small, you only need to print pages 2-4. For size medium, print pages 2-5. For the larges size, print all of the pages 1-6.
2. Trim the edges of some of the pages so that you can match up the template lines exactly (no overlap). Tape the pages together.
3. Cut out the template for your desired size. Approximate template dimensions:
- size small – 15” x 15”
- size medium – 19” x 19”
- size large – 25” x 25”
Cutting Charts
Cutting layout for size small using a fat quarter of fabric. A fat quarter is usually 18” x 21”.
Cutting layout for size medium using 5/8 yard of fabric.
Cutting layout for size large using 3/4 yard of fabric.
1. Use the desired template size to cut out two pieces.
2. Place the two fabric pieces right sides together and pin around all of the edges.
Sewing
Use a medium stitch length and a 1/2” seam allowance.
1. Sew all the way around the bandana with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving a 3-4” opening along one straight edge for turning.
2. Trim the extra fabric away at the v-shape point. Then cut notches around the curved tie end, or use pinking shears to trim about 1/8” away from the stitching.
3. Use a chopstick or turning tool to turn the bandana right side out. Gently push out the point and the fabric at the seams.
4. Press the bandana flat.
5. Topstitch around the edges 1/8” from the edge, closing the opening at the same time.
Tie the bandana in a knot at the back and then try it on your pet! Keep it loose and comfortable, and make sure to remove the bandana when your pup is asleep or unsupervised.
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. ๐