Light-Up Dog Bandana

When walking your dog before sunrise or after sunset, it is a good idea to make yourselves visible to drivers.  The light-up bandana is a fun way to make a black dog visible.  This will also make it easier to find him if he takes off in pursuit of rabbits.

I actually made this over a year ago, but had most of the materials necessary to re-create the steps.

Supplies needed:

1 bandana from the craft store (or make your own, but that’s another I’ble), $1.50
1 battery powered Christmas-lights novelty necklace, ~ $7
needle
thread to match the bandana
masking tape – optional

step 1. Fold the bandana into a triangle

step 2. Tie and test fit the bandana on your dog.  Note the area that will lie open, where you want to put the lights.

Step 3. Remove bandana from dog and arrange the light string.  You want the switch to be easily accessible, but not highly visible.  You can hold it in place with masking tape to make sewing easier

Step 4. Sew the light string to the bandana at ~ 1.5 inch intervals.  I sewed through both layers of fabric.

Step 5.  Tie bandana

Step 6.  Put it on the dog, switch the lights on, and go for a walk.  We get lots of oohs, ahhs, and “how cute!” when Pretzel is wearing his glow-dog scarf.  The lights have three settings:  blinking, chaser, or be on steadily.

Link to YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8xw2LByb5Q

Notes:  This is not washable.  In order to have a washable bandana, you could sew the lights to a strip of cloth and use Velcro to fasten the cloth to the bandana.  I just have my dog wear something washable if he is likely to get muddy.