How to Make Bandana Bracelets – Loads of Ideas!
Learn how to make bandana bracelets using a few different methods – because right now they are winning! When you’re done, check out more friendship bracelet ideas for beginners. This post contains affiliate links.
When I first saw the bandana bracelet trend hit, I knew I HAD to jump on board! I have so many fabric scraps (no, you do not need to use bandanas but I’ll share some feedback and advice on choosing fabrics below.) I love a good, easy, colorful bracelet craft, so why not share some ideas in this space?
True to my style, instead of creating a quick tutorial, I decided to create an in-depth guide for how to make it so that you can really learn the ins and outs. Many of my readers here are group craft coordinators and not just individual crafters, and I think that it’s important to understand the nuances of different styles, materials, and ways to craft something before doing it with a group.
So my goal is not just to teach you how to make bandana bracelets, but to explore the different styles you can make, techniques you can use, and materials that are best.
Different styles of bandana bracelets
There are a few different visual styles for bandana or fabric based bracelets. Here, I’ll go over them quickly so you can get an idea of what you want to make.
Wrap
Such a bracelet would have a longer fabric, and you can wrap it around a few times before tying it. This is the only style I didn’t craft for this tutorial, but I wanted to bring it up for you here.
Single
The classic bandana bracelets feature a single length of fabric, tied in a knot, with charms and/or beads. I’ll go into that further below.
Sometimes the fabric can be thick and bulky enough in relation to the embellishments, but usually you’ll want to tie simple knots to hold the elements in place.
Infinity
An infinity bandana bracelet basically uses a 2-part fabric with a component in the center to connect two lengths of fabric. This is a fabulous way to make shorter lengths more useful (such as by combining it with the wrap bracelet method) or just for interest.
In my tutorial, I used an actual infinity charm, but you can also use a larger jumpring or decorative ring connected with fabric on each side. You’ll want a nice way to finish off those knots that you use to tie the fabric on.
Braided
Braided bandana bracelets are their own huge category, since there are many ways to make it, and I already shared a separate tutorial for making those.
They can also be combined with charms or beads and are a fun way to make bandana bracelets have a rope-like look.
What to use to make Bandana Bracelets
The two main supplies you’ll need are fabric and embellishments. You’ll also need good fabric scissors of course, and there are many “extras” you can use to finish it off.
Which fabric should you use
While bandana bracelets were coined for using with bandanas, they don’t have to be. I wanted to get these tutorials out already and didn’t have bandanas handy, so I made them using fabric scraps. One thing I noticed is that you want to get as close to the quality of the bandana as possible: a tighter weave. The fabric doesn’t have to be super stiff like a bandana, but it should have that non-fray finish.
I used two types of fabric: a stiffer fat quarter fabric (above) that worked beautifully and a softer linen-like fabric (below) that frayed like crazy. There are things you can do to prevent fray (seal it with an anti-fray solution, for example, or fix up the edges with clear nail polish).
But if you’re not using bandanas – which ARE a great solution here – at least choose a fabric that doesn’t unravel easily.
Adding Charms
It’s so much fun to add charms to bandana bracelets , and yes, it’s most crafters’ go-to. It adds a slightly upper scale quality to a craft that is by nature more of a “crafty” base. You can use ANY charms if you have a nice-sized, sturdy jump ring. You can get special large-ring charms. My goal was “craft with what you have” so I simply pulled out jumprings and basic charms for this.
Adding in beads
Beads work fabulously when learning how to make bandana bracelets, but your main challenge will be getting it onto the thick fabric!
You’ll want to look for large-hole beads. You can get wood ones like I used, or go for large-hole acrylic beads, charm-bracelet beads, or anything that you want.
My trick was to cut the edge of the fabric into triangle notches to make stringing easier – more on that in the step-by-step tutorial, of course!
How do you tie bandana bracelets
I’m going to be exploring a whole separate post on this, since I do want to show you a few ways more clearly but I’ll go over this quickly here.
Tying a bow
The classic way to close your bandana bracelet WILL be with a simple bunny-ear knot. You’ll want to leave enough string for this, and you’ll probably need help putting it on and off.
One trick is to close it at just the right size that you can wiggle your hand through while it’s knotted and it won’t be too big while wearing it. This is TOTALLY doable, and is what I did in all of these posts that show me wearing it that style.
Making a permanent closure
Another more professional way to finish these off is to treat it like a ribbon or cord in jewelry making. To do this, you’ll use ribbon end crimps or cord ends. This allows you to add a clasp and adjustable chain for a much more polished finish. Again, I plan to do a whole separate post on this so make sure you sign up for updates or follow me on social!
You WILL lose the “scarf” look that the tie gives it, but it’ll be much more long-lasting this way.
How to make bandana bracelets
You’ll need
- Bandanas or other fabric – stiff is better, and fat quarters work great
- Fabric scissors (I recommend having one like this and another to work with details.) Save these scissors to use only with fabric to keep them sharp and in perfect working order.
- Large hole wood beads AND/OR Charms and jump rings
- A center “connector” piece for the infinity bracelet – an infinity symbol or large circle works.
- Pliers to work with the charms
YouTube Video
Watch the full-length video on YouTube if you prefer to learn that way! Or scroll down for written instructions with photos.
Instructions
Regular charm bandana bracelet
1. Cut a length of fabric. The width should be about two inches. The length should be ideally the length of a bandana or about 18-24 inches (longer is better – you can always trim it down).
Cut that piece in half on the diagonal – from the bottom left corner to the top right. It doesn’t need to be perfect. You now have a pointed end to string things on from.
2. Make a knot a few inches from the wide end.
3. Connect your charms to jump rings. String them on from the skinny end. String on beads if you’d like. Arrange them as you’d like them to be. You an open and adjust your starting knot as needed.
4. Tie a knot at the other end to hold your charms on and trim your bracelet. Your knotted and charmed portion should be in the center of the final bracelet.
Tie it up and wear it proudly!
Infinity Style Bandana Bracelet
1. To make the infinity style bracelet, we took the second half of the fabric that we cut in step one of the regular one. cut it in half from the center of the wide side to the point.
2. Take your center connector charm/ring. Thread the skinny end of one of your fabric strips through one side.
3. Tie it in place, leaving a tail of about 2-3 inches of the skinny fabric, and a longer tail of fabric that’ll make up the body of your bracelet.
4. Repeat with the other string on the other side.
5. To help secure the “tail string’ and make my piece secure, I like to thread a bead over it. It’s a bit harder to start this one since you’ll need to go over the wider end fabric. Slide your bead over both tails of fabric from the end, close to the center connector.
6. Tie it in place with an overhand knot on the other side. This knot should basically include the shorter tail of thinner fabric and hide the end of it (trim it if that tail is too long) so that now you only have one strip of fabric on each side of your bracelet.
Your infinity bandana bracelet is ready to tie off!
Scarf Style Bandana Bracelet
To get more of a scarf (rather than a ropey) look, I adapted the tutorial of the first method just a bit! I also used the better (less fraying – stiffer) fabric for this one.
1. Cut a piece of fabric about 2-3 inches wide and 18-24 long (longer is better – you can always trim it).
Cut off the corners on each end into a triangle.
2. For this one, I just used a single focal charm in the center to allow the bracelet to “fluff” out more like a scarf.
Attach your charm to a jumpring and slide it to the center of your bracelet.
3. Tie a knot on each side to secure the charm in place.
4. And yes, that is it. Just tie the ends into a bow, and fluff out the ends of the bracelet on either side of the charm as much as you’d like to make it look like a scarf.
I hope you enjoyed learning how to make bandana bracelets! This is a fabulous group project – just put out an assortment of supplies – or every day boredom buster to make in whichever color schemes you’re feeling at the moment!
