Cats and bandanas. If this brilliant combination has never occurred to you before now, I dare you to tie a bandana around your cat’s neck and tell me they are not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen. I recently made this discovery after putting my 3 month old daughter’s banana bib on my cat (because that’s what a cat person does when they have a baby, right?). It fit perfectly and looked so cute, I decided to create my own pattern so that I could make as many as possible for my cats (and baby). Continue reading to see how to make one of your own!

A few things you will need:

- one 16” x 18” rectangle of fabric

- matching thread

- bandana template

- scissors

- pins

- sewing machine

- coordinating embroidery floss (optional)

- fasteners such as sew-on velcro or snap buttons (optional)

Start by folding your fabric in half along the 18” side. Pin the template to the fabric lining the edge up with the fold. Cut, unfold and press lightly with an iron. Repeat for the second piece.

Take one of your cut pieces and place right side up in an embroidery hoop. (If you choose to leave your bandana blank, simply skip to the next step.) Draw your cat’s name or initials with a fabric marker and embroider over the line using a back stitch or split back stitch (if you’re new to embroidering, here’s a great guide to the different stitches). I chose to embroider “B” for Bollini (or for butthead, depending on his attitude).

Once you have your front piece embroidered, decorated or simply left blank, pin together with the back piece wrong sides facing out.

Sew along the edge with a 1/4” seam allowance leaving a 2" gap somewhere along the edge (this is where you will turn your piece inside out).

Turn you piece inside out and press flat. At this point, you can either attach fasteners of your choice or simply tie it directly around your cat's neck. Fasteners are optional because lets face it, we all know your cat is not going to keep this thing on for long. But if you do choose to go with fasteners, make sure they are easily detachable such as sew-on velcro or easy snap buttons.

Tie around your cat's neck and admire your handiwork and your cute cat!