Learn how to make these adorable DIY personalized pet bandanas for your dogs and your cats. These are such a cute and easy accessory to make, and in this tutorial I show you exactly how to sew and personalize them with iron-on vinyl!
Have you seen anything cuter than these DIY Personalized Pet Bandanas? I am a dog lover and have such a soft spot for dogs! Some of my past dog-related projects are things like these paper dog and puppy boxes and engraved dog tags. So these bandanas are the perfect accessory to bring out your dogs personality! Of course I don’t want to leave out any other pets that might be able to sport these adorable bandanas, so I have created multiple sizes for cats and other pets out there, too!
Watch the personalized pet bandanas assembly video here:
I have received so many requests for simple sewing projects, projects perfect for a beginner. These personalized pet bandanas are one of those projects. They are easy and don’t require a lot of supplies! You can just use fabric scraps that you have laying around to make these super cute bandanas.
To sew the Personalized Pet Bandanas, you will first need to determine what size bandana you are going to make. If you aren’t sure, the easiest way to determine what size you need is to measure your pet’s collar.
You will need a way to sew your bandana. You can, of course, sew the Personalized Pet Bandana by hand with needle and thread. Or you can use a sewing machine. I will show you how to sew it with this beginner sewing machine I love.
Other useful tools for sewing the bandanas include a washable fabric pen, thread snips, and an iron if you don’t have a heat press.
Last but not least, you need the sewing pattern in the correct size — I’ve prepared three sizes (small, medium, and large) for you to choose from.
Let me show you how easy it is to make these DIY Personalized Pet Bandanas! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.
Materials to Make Personalized Pet Bandanas
See my Amazon shopping list for this project here!
- I piece of 100% cotton fabric at least 11″ x 14″ (I used a holiday theme fabric) and here’s another fabric option with a cat & dog theme!
- Dog collar (you choose small, medium, or large)
- Iron-On Vinyl – I used Silver Smart Iron-On with my Cricut Joy
- A way to cut your fabric (I used the Cricut Maker, but you can also use a Cricut Explore to cut fabric or just a pair of scissors or a rotary cutter).
- A way to sew your fabric (I used the Janome Beginner Sewing Machine (Aqua))
- A way to cut your vinyl (I used the Cricut Maker, but you can also use a Cricut Explore or Cricut Joy)
- A way to attach your vinyl to your fabric (such as the Cricut Easy Press Mini Heat Press or the Cricut Easy Press 2)
- Cricut Brayer
- Cricut Fabric Mat 12″ x 24″ (Pink)
- Washable Fabric Pen
- Weeding Tool
- Cricut Sewing Kit
- Font Used: Falling Leaves from Font Bundles
- Design #297 (My free SVG/PDF/DXF design files are available in my free resource library – get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page)
How to Make a Personalized Pet Bandana
Personalized Pet Bandanas
How much do you love your pet or should I say your FUR BABY? Pets are THE BEST and they deserve to be pampered! So I've come up with the perfect accessory for your pet. These DIY Personalized Pet Bandanas! This pattern is perfect to customize for pets of any size and you can cut it by hand or on your Cricut cutting machine.
Materials
Tools
- A way to cut your fabric (I used the Cricut Maker, but you can also use a Cricut Explore to cut fabric or just a pair of scissors or a rotary cutter).
- A way to sew your fabric -- I used the Janome Beginner Sewing Machine
- A way to cut your vinyl (I used the Cricut Maker, but you can also use a Cricut Explore or Cricut Joy)
- A way to attach your vinyl to your fabric (such as the Cricut Easy Press Mini Heat Press or the Cricut Easy Press 2)
- Weeding Tool
- Washable Fabric Pen
- Cricut Brayer
- Cricut Fabric Mat 12" x 24" (Pink)
- Cricut Easy Press Mini Heat Press (used to press fabric)
- Cricut Sewing Kit
- Font Used: Falling Leaves Print from FontBundles
Instructions
STEP 1: GET MY FREE DIY PERSONALIZED PET BANDANA PATTERN FILE
First, download Design #297 DIY PERSONALIZED PET BANDANA PATTERN SVG/DXF/PDF from my free resource library (get the password to the library in the form at the bottom of this page). Here is what the file will look like when you upload it to Cricut Design Space:
Tip: If you are not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you are on an iPad or iPhone, here is how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app.
STEP 2: PICK YOUR BANDANA PATTERN & SIZE
The next thing you will need to do is decide on a size.
My pet bandana pattern has three sizes to choose from: small, medium, and large. If you're not sure what bandana size you need, choose a size close to the size of your dog's collar.
Here's a look at the different size patterns:
- Small: Fits necks 12 - 14 inches (yellow)
- Medium: Fits necks 15 - 17 inches (teal)
- Large: Fits necks 18 - 20 inches (red
For this tutorial I'm going to show you how to make the large bandana (red). I'm going to use the Cricut Maker to cut the fabric, but you can use the Cricut Explore Air 2 as well or even cut by hand!
So first I'm going to select the pet bandana pattern I want in Cricut Design Space.
First, zoom out so you can see all the choices.
Now with the design selected click "Ungroup" in the Layers panel on the right side of the screen.
You will want to hide the pet bandana size(s) you DON'T want. To do this, simply click on the "eye" icon next to the word "Attach" above the size(s) you won't be using.
If you did it right, this is what you should see... just the red pattern.
Now, you will see the word "Pen" just above the red bandana in the Layers column on the right, click on that.
Next, move your cursor over where you see "Operation" on the top left side of the screen. Click on the black outline box.
Then, click on the arrow that's pointing down...
...and select "Marker"...
...then choose "Blue (washable fabric)".
The fabric marker will mark your pet bandana seam allowance to help with sewing. This is completely optional, so if you'd rather skip this step you can simply "hide" the "Pen" line by clicking on the "eye" icon next to the word "Pen."
STEP 3: CUT YOUR BANDANA PATTERN
Now click "Make It".
On the next screen click "OK" at the top. That's just a reminder that you will need to use a 12"x24" mat for this cut. Click "Continue."
Choose your pet bandana fabric on the next screen. I'm using 100% cotton for my bandana.
I always select "MORE" under pressure and you'll see a reminder to change your tool to a "Rotary Blade" in Clamp B.
If you choose to use the fabric marker you will also need to insert this into Clamp A.
TIP: I always make sure to the put my cap on the other end of my pen when I'm using it so I don't lose it. Also, once I'm done, I always store my pens cap-side down.
Now load your cutting mat (pink fabric mat) into your machine and hit the Cricut symbol to start the cut.
Once the cut is complete just peel your fabric off the mat, it's super simple!
STEP 4: IRON YOUR FABRIC
I always like to iron my fabric before I sew. For this project I used my Cricut Easy Press Mini Heat Press on the lowest setting to press the fabric along the seam allowance marked on the fabric to make sewing a breeze!
STEP 5: SEW THE PET BANDANA
Now it's time to sew. Start by sewing all the edges of the pet bandana, making sure to start and end with a back stitch. This prevents the stitching from coming undone.
Next, fold down the top of the fabric (opposite the point-side) until it meets the top of the triangular part of the pattern. This will be the opening for the collar. I pressed this part as well with my Cricut Easy Press Mini Heat Press before sewing,
Then back to the sewing machine for the final stitches of the pet bandana. Again, I started and ended with a back stitch. It's that simple.
STEP 6: ATTACH THE BANDANA TO THE COLLAR
Now take your dog collar and insert one end into the channel or tunnel at the top of the pet bandana and feed it through the other side and there you go! You have made your very own Personalized Pet Bandana!
STEP 7: PERSONALIZE YOUR PET BANDANA
If you'd like to personalize this pet bandana, you can also add your pet's name. I used my Cricut Joy and Smart Iron-On Glitter Vinyl to do this. If you are new to Iron-On Vinyl you can watch this helpful tutorial I made that explains how it's done.
These personalized pet bandanas make great gifts! And I just love making different designs for different seasons and occasions. My rescue dogs Hunter and Chloe are big fans, too!
Notes
My pet bandana pattern has three sizes to choose from: small, medium, and large. If you're not sure what bandana size you need, choose a size close to the size of your dog's collar.
Here's a look at the different size patterns:
Small: Fits necks 12 - 14 inches (yellow)
Medium: Fits necks 15 - 17 inches (teal)
Large: Fits necks 18 - 20 inches (red
Font Used: Falling Leaves Print from FontBundles.net. Special thanks to the JenniferMaker Design Fairy Team, specifically Design Fairy Debbie, for helping me design and make this fun and personalized pet bandana pattern.
Recommended Products
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Answers to Your Questions About The Personalized Pet Bandanas
Q: I don’t have a washable pen. Do I have to use this?
No, you do not have to mark your sew lines so long as you have a ruler you can use instead to measure in for the 3/8″ seam allowance on all sides.
Q: Can you use fabric glue instead?
Yes, fabric glue can be used to secure the edges of these pet bandanas!
Q: Are these pet bandanas washable after you make them?
Yes! Just allow at least 24 hours after you apply the iron-on vinyl before you wash them, and do not use harsh detergents or bleach. If you need to iron them after you wash them, be sure to iron them from the back side to avoid burning the vinyl.
Get my free SVG files to make your Personalized Pet Bandanas
I’d love to see your personalized pet bandanas and ESPECIALLY your photos of your pets wearing them!! Please share a photo in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.
Love,
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