How to Make a Bandana Top 2 Different Ways For Only 97 Cents

Jessica Shaw
by Jessica Shaw
7 Materials
$3
30 Minutes
Easy

This might just be the best 97 cents you ever spend! Go pick up a 97-cent bandana and then follow this tutorial to learn how to make a bandana top.


Come to think of it, you’d better pick up a few bandanas because you’ll want to make both of the DIY bandana tops that I’m going to show you. Then, you might want to make them for your friends too!

Tools and materials:

  • Square bandanas
  • Cotton cord
  • Shoulder strap material
  • Sewing pins
  • Safety pin
  • Thread
  • Sewing machine


DIY bandana top 1

Folding the bandana into a triangle

1. Fold the bandana into a triangle

With the right side facing out, fold your square bandana into a triangle. Then fold down and pin the top point of the bandana. 

Sewing the point of the triangle

2. Sew the points of the triangle

Sew down the point of the bandana about an inch from the edge. That is going to become the neckline of your bandana top, and you’ve just created a casing at the neckline.

Sewing the ends of the triangle

Fold in, pin down and sew both corners of the bandana.

Cutting a neck strap from cotton cord

3. Make a neck strap

Cut a piece of cotton cord to the length you need for a neck strap on your bandana top. To make it easier to thread the cord through the casing, wrap cellophane tape around the end.

Feeding the neck strap through the casing

Use a safety pin to feed the cotton cord through the casing at the neckline.

Threading cord through the sides for the back strap

4. Make a back strap

Cut a longer piece of cotton cord for the back strap (mine was about 66 inches.) Follow the same process as with the neck strap to feed the back strap through both of the side casings.


Tip: tie small knots at the ends of the cord to keep them from fraying.

DIY bandana top

Here’s the front of the bandana halter top.

Make a top out of a bandana

And here’s the open tie back.


DIY bandana top 2

Holding the bandana up to the body

1. Fold the bandana into a triangle

Fold your square bandana into a triangle. Hold the triangle up to the front of your body and mark where a side seam would be. 

Cutting the corners off the bandana

2. Cut the bandana

Cut straight side edges from your folded bandana at the side seam marks.

Cutting the bandana in half

Open your bandana and cut it in half through the straight edges. You now have two matching pieces. One will be used as a lining for the other.

Bandana top DIY tutorial

3. Use a second bandana to make back ties

Fold a second matching bandana in half in a rectangle. Then fold it in half again the same way.

Laying the small triangles on the ends

Lay one of the little triangles you just cut from the previous bandana on top of this one and make a line on this bandana to indicate the width of the triangle. 

Measuring the side seam

Then measure the length of your side seam and mark that on the bandana as in the above image.

Measuring the back ties

Complete marking the dimensions of the tie on the bandana by angling the other side so you have a tapered end on the tie.

Back tie pieces

Cut 4 back tie pieces.

Attaching the ties

4. Attach the ties

Position two back ties on top of one bandana top. Pin and sew them on along the side seams.


Repeat steps 4 and 5 on the second bandana top (the lining piece).

Press all seams towards the center of the bandana.

Pinning the lining piece to the top piece

With right sides together, pin the lining piece to the bandana top all the way around. Sew all edges together, leaving a 5-inch gap at the front of the bandana.

Turning the fabric right sides out

5. Turn the fabric

Turn the bandana top right-side-out through the gap. Use a pencil or similar tool to pop out the corners of the ties.

How to sew a bandana top

6. Press and topstitch

Iron the bandana top so it’s nice and flat and then topstitch the opening at the front to close it.

Making shoulder straps for the DIY bandana top

7. Make shoulder straps

Pin shoulder straps in place at the front and back of the bandana top. You can be creative about what materials to use for the shoulder straps.

Sewing the shoulder straps

Sew the shoulder straps to the inside of the bandana top.

How to make a bandana top

How to make a bandana top

Here is your second adorable bandana top. Both of these bandana tops are cute and comfortable and who would guess they started off as 97-cent bandanas!


Try making both of these bandana tops and leave me a comment to let me know which one you liked best.

Suggested materials:
  • Square bandanas
  • Cotton cord
  • Shoulder strap material
See all materials

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