While bandanas may have been the neck-wear of choice for cowboys, railroad engineers and farmers to keep dust and sweat off the face and neck, the homespun colorful square is still to be admired for its vibrant charm and versatility.

This iconic cloth has its historical dark side, used at it were by bandits and outlaws of old to partially conceal faces but no longer as the bandana can be quickly folded, rubber bands added to each end and placed over the nose and mouth with bands looped over the ears to comply with many public edicts to protect others where social distancing is not possible.

Fabric sold on the bolt can be found printed in bandana print paisley or patch-like prints. Although red paisley closely followed by blue prints are the traditional classic favorites for bandanas they can be found in all colors of the rainbow.

There are so many sewing projects that can utilize bandanas. Consider the following few:

Grocery Sack
With a knowing nod for eco-concerns, make your next quick trip to the grocery store carrying your own fabric grocery sack. Those pesky thin plastic grocery sacks may eventually be a thing of the past anyway. Make your own using two colorful bandanas. Fold down the top of each approximately one-inch and stitch across to make a casing for cording or a drawstring. Then place each right-sides-together and stitch both side edges and across the bottom leaving the casing edges unstitched. Turn right-side-out and press. Thread a long single length of cording to use for a drawstring through all sides of the casing and tie at one side open edge.

Cooling Summer Neck Band
Make a cooling neck band that uses just one bandana and some purchased polymer crystals that absorb water and can be refrigerated. Fold the bandana into a triangle shape, then fold again and again until about 4 inches in width. Sew along the two long side edges and across one short side, fill with the polymer crystals and stitch the remaining short end. Soak with water and place in a plastic bag to chill for a few hours. Can be gently tied around the neck for instant portable personal cooling on hot summer days.

Bandana Carryall/Tote
Fuse iron-on or use sew-in interfacing applied to the entire back of two bandanas then pin them right sides together. Sew all around three sides 5/8-inch or 1/2-inches from edge. Sew a coordinating lining and insert wrong sides together if you wish for added strength to the tote. Fold remaining open top edge down all around about 2-inches from top to create a casing. Sew a straight stitch at the edge but leave a 1/2-inch opening to allow for the insertion of a drawstring. Turn the bag right side out, press if necessary and add your choice of drawstring.

Bandana Home Décor
Just two bandanas and one 14-inch pillow form come together to make a great colorful throw pillow. Some additional ideas: make a padded message board with just two bandanas and coordinating ribbon trim; use several bandanas folded into triangles and draped overlapping over a curtain rod for a curtain valance – all come together for a charming way to bright up a family room or bedroom in favorite colors.

Small Appliance Covers
Drape a bandana over any counter top appliance for an instant appliance dust cover; hold loosely closed if desired with a few decorative pearl-head straight pins or corsage pins for quick kitchen cover ups. Bandanas work great for sewing machine or serger cover ups too.

Bandana Table Napkins
Bandanas are the ultimate no-sew idea, ready-made and perfect as-is for table napkins. In addition, just one bandana placed in a bread basket brightens any table and easily coordinates with the bandana table napkins.

Sew happy, sew inspired.