GOOD NEIGHBOR BANDANA

© Bayron Handmade, 2020 Page 1 Pattern, Photography, and Graphic Design by Denise Bayron
 GOO
D N
EIG
HBO
T R B
U AND
ANA
BO
A
Video Introduction and Demo: https://youtu.be/rT3_yg5hTo4

Like so many of you, I've been battling feelings of helplessness while watching our world be upended by a
global pandemic. I initially felt paralyzed by fear. As the days passed, however, I made a conscious decision to
work through my fear. I began to channel my nervous energy into creative energy with the goal of serving my
community.

My 78-year-old neighbor asked me to make her an alternative face covering. She showed me the mask she
already owned and listed all the characteristics she didn't like about it. Her list included having skin irritations
caused by the elastic, feeling suffocated while wearing the mask in the grocery store, and the inability to wash
it. I told her I would make something for her that addressed all of those issues. I made the first iteration of this
bandana and wore it for two weeks to test it. I wore it to the market, on my daily hikes, and even during vigorous
exercise.

Good news! My neighbor loves her bandana. She says it's comfortable, she can breathe and talk with it on, and
it discourages her from touching her face!

Objective:
I did not want to make a fabric surgical mask. I set out to design a functional, but scaled-back face covering.
I designed this accessory with my signature minimalist approach to fashion to be consistent with my values and
aesthetic. This bandana will also fit comfortably over a beard!

Disclaimer:
This face covering is NOT A MASK. Please do not use this pattern when making masks for donation to
medical facilities. 
This bandana is NOT a substitute for social distancing and frequent hand washing.
This bandana IS appropriate for those who want to comply with the CDC's recommendation to cover one’s
face when heading outdoors.

CONSTRUCTION
It was also important that the materials and construction be in line with my personal values and brand. I
used tightly woven quilting cotton that I purchased from my local Center for Creative Reuse. I designed it
without elastic, as elastic has become a commodity during this crisis AND can cause discomfort when worn
against the skin for a prolonged time.

I also designed it without the use of bias binding. When we cut fabric at a 45 degree angle, we create waste. I
wanted my bandana to be as materials-conscious as possible and also cost-effective. Instead, I cut the tie on
the crossgrain, as woven fabrics will stretch more toward the weft.

I settled on a single tie bandana that allows the wearer to breathe freely but protects others from a potential
sneeze or cough.
© Bayron Handmade, 2020 Page 2
 SEAM ALLOWANCE IS INCLUDED
AND IS 1/4" (.63cm)
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

#bayronhandmade
#goodneighborbandana
CUT 2

Print to scale at 100%

on US letter size paper.

(2.54 x 2.54 cm)

© Bayron Handmade, 2020 Page 3

Instructions
Use the checkboxes to the left of each step to keep track of your work.

❏ Step 1: Using tightly woven quilting cotton, cut 2 of

the pattern piece on page 3. Be sure to print the
pattern piece at 100% scale and confirm that the test
square measures 1".

❏ Step 2: Cut one rectangle (PATTERN PIECE NOT

INCLUDED) that is 2 x 44". Cut this piece on the cross
grain to save fabric.

❏ Step 3: Transfer the markings from the paper

pattern to the two bandana fabric pieces. I used a
regular pen to make these markings on the wrong
side of the fabric.

❏ Step 4: Take one bandana piece and fold it in half

with the right sides touching. To create a dart, sew a
straight line of stitching starting at the top notches
toward the center dot. Remember to backstitch at the
top, but do not backstitch at the bottom of the dart.
Snip the top threads. Tie the bottom threads into a
knot, then snip the threads to approx 1/2".

Repeat on the other bandana piece.

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❏ Step 5: Take the pattern pieces over to the ironing
board. With the wrong sides facing up, press both darts
to the left.

❏ Step 6: Place both pattern pieces together with the

right sides touching. If you pressed both darts to the
left, they should be pointing in opposite directions. This
will reduce bulk when you sew the pieces together.

❏ Step 7: Pin both pieces together along the curved

edge.

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 ❏ Step 8: Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew around the
curved edge remembering to backstitch at the
beginning and end. Leave the top open.

Tip: If you're using a standard presser foot, it is likely

that the edge of the foot will be 1/4" from the needle.
Line up the edge of the fabric with the edge of your
presser foot as you sew to produce a clean curve.

❏ Step 9: Notch the curved seam at about 1/2"

intervals being careful not to snip through the stitching.

❏ Step 10: Turn your work right side out and press. The
resulting bandana piece should look like a little
dumpling.

© Bayron Handmade, 2020 Page 6

Press and sew on the tie.
❏ Step 11:  Take the rectangular pattern piece over to
your ironing board. Fold over and press the short ends
by 1/2".

❏ Step 12: Press the long ends of the ties in toward the
center by 1/2". They should meet in the center.

Tip: To make step 12 easier, use a 1" bias binding maker.

It will fold both ends of the tie in toward the center
evenly. Follow the bias maker closely with the iron as
pictured.

© Bayron Handmade, 2020 Page 7

❏ Step 13: Fold the tie in half lengthwise and press.

❏ Step 14: Find the center point of the tie and mark it
with a pen on the wrong side.

❏ Step 15: Line up the dart on the bandana with the

center marking on the tie. Fully insert the bandana into
the open end of the tie.

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❏ Step 16: Pin the tie onto the bandana.

❏ Step 17: Starting at the short edge of the tie and

pivoting at the corners, edge stitch the open end of the
tie shut. The edge stitch should be a scant 1/8".
Remember to backstitch at the beginning. Continue
sewing toward the bandana pattern piece.

❏ Step 18: When you reach the bandana, be sure to

sew through all thicknesses. Continue edge stitching
around the perimeter of the tie, pivoting at each corner
until you reach all four corners. Backstitch at the end.

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❏ Congratulations!  You should have a finished bandana.

❏ Try it on and take it outdoors for a spin! Make a few more and share them with your neighbors!

© Bayron Handmade, 2020 Page 10

 Support Independent Designers
You can help support my designs by sharing your project on social media. Your pictures and a short
testimonial may encourage others to download the pattern too. Please post pictures on Instagram using the
hashtags #goodneighborbandana and #bayronhandmade so that I can see them and celebrate with you!
Tag me @bayronhandmade so that I'll get a notification!

If you enjoyed making and wearing this bandana and you would like to support my small business, please
donate here:

This document may not be reprinted, resold, or redistributed. This pattern is for your personal use only.
You may not sell finished items made from this pattern. 

You can find my other patterns on

https://www.bayronhandmade.com

OR
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/denise-bayron

© Bayron Handmade, 2020 Page 11