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Make your own stylish accessory with this quick & easy tutorial
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A bandana is a versatile and stylish accessory. You can tie it on your head to hold your hair back, show your loyalty to something, or even make a fashion statement. In a pinch, you can use it to blow your nose, substitute it for a dust mask, wipe sweat off your face, prevent a sunburn, or bandage a wound. Better yet, you can easily make one yourself out of almost any type of fabric. In no time, you could have a unique bandana of your own.

Standard Bandana Measurements

The standard size for a bandana is a 22x22 inch (56x56 cm) square. To make the bandana, cut a 24x24 inch (61x62 cm) square out of your chosen fabric. Then, hem each side by 2 inches (5 cm).

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Making Your Bandana

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  1. Your cloth should be 2' by 2' (61 cm by 61 cm) or larger. You can choose whatever kind of fabric you prefer, though cotton muslin is an affordable option that will hold up well to wear and tear. Try to avoid fabrics that might be itchy against your skin.[1]
    • When choosing a pre-patterned material, select one you think would look good as a bandana, like a paisley design, a checked pattern, a skull and crossbones theme, and so on.
    • In some parts of the world, wearing a certain color bandana can be associated with a local gang. For example, blue and red bandannas are tied to gangs in the US city of Los Angeles. It can be dangerous to accidentally identify yourself with a gang, so be wary of this when choosing a bandana color or pattern.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bandana
    Sketch out a square on the cloth. You may want to use a straight edge, like a ruler or meter stick, but you can also follow straight lines in pre-patterned material. Your square should be about 2' (61 cm) long on each side, though you can make it larger or smaller according to your size.
    • It may be easiest for you to start your square in the corner of your material. This way, less of the cloth ends up as scraps.
    • A felt-tip pen will show up more easily than pencil markings. A clear line will make it easier for you to cut your material in a straight line.
    • A washable fabric marker is also a good choice for sketching out your square. When you wash your finished bandana, any stray marks will wash out.[2]
    • The sketch doesn't have to be perfect, but straight lines will result in your bandana being regular in shape and polished in appearance.
    • It's best to make your bandana larger than too small. It's much easier to trim fabric off than it is to add fabric on.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bandana
    If you're using a material mostly made up of cotton, it may be easiest to make the first cut with a pair of sharp scissors or fabric scissors. Since cotton rips fairly easily, you may be able to rip it along the rest of it along the line you have drawn.[3]
    • If you are unsure of the blend of fabric used in your material, to prevent waste, you may want to use your scissors to completely cut your square free.
    • Even with pure cotton fabrics, sometimes the tear will not be clean. If you are working with a limited amount of fabric, using scissors may be the safest bet.
  4. At this point, you may want to try on your bandana to see how it fits. If it is too large, you can trim it down, but you should keep in mind that you'll likely lose ½" - 2" (1¼ - 5 cm) of fabric to hemming.[4]
    • Hemming your bandana will keep it from fraying at the edges. An unhemmed raw edge can fray easily.
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Part 2
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Hemming Your Bandana

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  1. A larger hem will be easiest to work with, but will create a wide doubled fold along the edge of your fabric. For your bandana, you may want to start with a medium hem, which is usually about 2" (5 cm) in length. This will be folded under the cloth and stitched down to prevent fraying.
    • A hem can be any size you choose. You may find you like the extra thickness of the folded cloth around the edges of a longer hem, or a narrow, short hem.[5]
  2. You'll want your cloth to be crisp and straight when stitching to prevent a crooked hem, so you'll need to iron the cloth you fold. For a medium hem, fold ½" (1¼ cm) of cloth beneath your fabric and press it with an iron. Then fold another 1½" (3.8 cm) of cloth in the same fashion and press it again.
    • For larger hems, first fold and press ¾" (1.9 cm) of cloth under your fabric. Follow this with a 1¼" (3.2 cm) under fold of fabric and press again.
    • Small hems can be made by first folding ¼" (.64 cm) of your edge under your fabric and pressing. Then fold under another ¼" (.64 cm) and press again.[6]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bandana
    Make sure your now double folded edge is straight and neat. You may need to adjust the fabric and repress it to correct crookedness. Once your soon to be hemmed edge is aligned, pin the fabric so it stays in place when you are sewing.
    • You may want to use a straight edge, like a ruler or meter stick, to check the evenness of your folded edge.[7]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bandana
    The easiest way of doing this is with a sewing machine, but if this isn't an option a needle and thread work just as well. Thread your needle and poke it through all the layers of your folded over fabric from the fabric's reverse side so the knot is hidden. Then feed the needle back and forth through the back and front of your fabric along your folded over edge at regular intervals. When you reach the end, tie off your thread with a knot.
    • When you thread your needle, double the thread so that your stitching holds up to wear and tear better.
    • A very professional looking stitch you might want to use is called a slip stitch. This kind of stitch will be invisible once you're finished, though it may take some practice before you get the hang of it.[8]
    • You may also want to check out how to hem to learn the finer points of hemming.
    • If hemming with a needle and thread seems a little daunting, you could try using iron on hem tape. This can be found at most craft and sewing stores, or at general retailers like Walmart and Target.
  5. There are many different ways you can wear your new bandana. Experiment to see which one suits your style best. Two popular styles you might consider:[9]
    • Wear your bandana around your neck so that it hangs in a triangular  shape at the base of your neck.
    • Fold your bandana into a long, narrow strip. Then wrap the strip around your head and tie it at the back to wear it like a headband.
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Part 3
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Decorating Your Bandana

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  1. Depending on how you choose to wear your bandana, the best location for your decorations will vary. For example, if you plan on wearing your bandana along your neck in a triangular shape, you'll likely want your design with its bottom pointed towards the corner and located in the corner of the fabric.
    • It may help to put on your bandana and take a look at it in a mirror. Then you can mark the fabric with a pencil or washable fabric marker on the spot that best presents your decoration.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bandana
    Iron or sew on patches. A patch is a great way of representing your favorite bands, games, sports teams, and more. Some of these are heat activated and can be attached to your bandana with an iron, while others may require stitching to be held in place.
    • Your local fabric store may be a good place to look for patches, but for specific designs, an online retailer might provide the best selection.
    • Some fabrics or blends may not be safe to iron. Be sure to check the fabric information before attempting to iron on a patch.
  3. By using fabric paint, you can create designs that are unique and significant to you. In some cases, you may need painting supplies, like a brush and water, but some fabric paints come in marker applicators.[10]
    • Many general retailers, art retailers, and craft stores have assorted fabric paints you can choose from. Be sure you choose one that won't come out in the wash!
    • You may want to use a fabric stencil so that your finished painted designs look more professional.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bandana
    Fabric markers may be a little more familiar and easy to use than paint, especially if you don't have much painting experience. For the best finished product, you may want to first draw your design in a washable fabric marker, then follow this with your wash-safe markers.
    • Depending on your fabric, you may also be able to use a pencil to sketch out your designs before using a more permanent medium.
  5. For best results, you should always follow the directions on the products you use for decorating your bandana. Fabric paints and markers may need some time to dry before washing, or may have special washing instructions.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What type of cloth do I use to make a bandana?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can use nearly any cloth to make your bandana, though you should prioritize fabrics that will be comfortable against your skin. Cotton muslin is an affordable, comfortable option to consider.
  • Question
    What is the standard size of a bandana?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    A standard bandana is 22 inches square, or 56 by 56 centimeters. Keep in mind that when you are sewing the bandana, you'll have to cut the fabric larger in order to hem it.
  • Question
    I am wanting to make one for my dog, so how do I make this more proportional for a Yorkie?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Measure around your Yorkie's neck and go from those measurements instead of your own.
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Warnings

  • Be careful when using scissors, especially sharp fabric scissors. Be sure that young children are supervised when doing this craft.
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Things You'll Need

Making Your Bandana

  • Piece of cloth (larger than 2' by 2' (61 cm by 61 cm))
  • Felt tipped pen or pencil
  • Washable fabric marker (optional)
  • Ruler (optional)
  • Fabric scissors

Hemming Your Bandana

  • Hemming tools (e.g. - needle and thread or sewing machine)
  • Iron
  • Needle
  • Thread
  • Ruler (optional; recommended)

Decorating Your Bandana

  • Wash-safe fabric markers (optional)
  • Wash-safe fabric paint (optional)
  • Washable fabric marker (optional)
  • Patches (iron or sew on; optional)

About This Article

Katie Quinn
Co-authored by:
Image Consultant
This article was co-authored by Katie Quinn. Katie Quinn is an Image Consultant, Personal Wardrobe Stylist and the Founder of Q the Stylist, an image consulting service based in New York City helping men and women understand their specific goals, improve their wardrobe, performance, and life. She has over 11 years of image consulting experience and has worked as a stylist for Trunk Club, Modewalk, and Moda Operandi. Her work has been featured in Vogue, InStyle, Martha Stewart Weddings, Sheridan Road, Slate, Newsy, Rue, and Thrillist. This article has been viewed 729,481 times.
8 votes - 62%
Co-authors: 37
Updated: November 22, 2024
Views: 729,481
Categories: Scarves
Article SummaryX

If you want to make your own bandana, cut out a piece of cloth that’s about 2 square feet. Choose a durable fabric that will feel comfortable against your skin, like cotton muslin, and avoid wearing colors that may be associated with gang activity in your area. If you like, you can add a 2-inch seam around the bandana by folding the fabric and stitching it in place. This will keep the fabric from fraying. Keep reading for ideas you can use to decorate your bandana!

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Reader Success Stories

  • Nick Moulas

    Nick Moulas

    Apr 16, 2018

    "I really needed a good plan for my school project. I used it to make the bandana I wanted!"
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