As a Harlequin author, I have to suggest cover ideas for the art department. If people are included in my ideas, I asked to describe what they’re wearing. If winter, they might have on heavy coats. If summer, they could be in shorts. Since my heroes are always cowboys, my list of clothing looks something like this: a Stetson, boots, belt, jeans, and a western cut shirt.
One article of clothing I always leave off my list but that my hero almost always carries or wears is a bandana. That recently got me to thinking about all the many uses for bandana, both in yesteryears and today. Me being me, I did a little research.
Early Indian Block Painted Fabric George Washington on horseback 1780
It seems the bandana originated in late 1600s in Southern Aisa and the Middle East. They were made by pressing pre-carved blocks into pieces of woven fabric, infusing the fabric with dyes made from plants. These pieces of printed fabric began to reach Europe in the early 1700s, likely brought back by traders. Among Europeans, a repeating pattern of teardrop shapes gained popularity and came to be called “Paisley”.
From there, the bandana traveled with ship passengers to the colonies. Because of its natural versatility, no wonder it continued to gain even more popularity, head west with pioneers, and become standard issue for the American cowboy.
Here are just a few uses for the versatile bandana:
Warmth in cold weather
Protection from sun exposure
Filter dust to make breathing easier during dust storms
Collect perspiration around neck
A handy wipe/rag for drying or cleaning
A napkin to wipe your face
Blowing your nose
A hairband
A scarf to warm ears
A mask for bank robbers
A gag for silencing hostages
Decorative accent when dressing up
Tourniquet to stop a wound from bleeding
A sling to support a broken arm
Wrap up a bundle of goods
What about you? Do you have any uses for a bandana that I haven’t included here? Let me know in the comments below. We can have fun sharing ?
Cathy McDavid has been penning Westerns for Harlequin since 2005. With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world seven years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
I’ve seen teething babies wear them as bibs to catch the drool.
I can think of some adults who need a bib 🙂
The make a stunning quilt. I usually cut them diagonally and sew them together in a windmill pattern.
I bet that’s gorgeous!
Dipped in water and worn to have a cooling benefit…
I’m sure the cowboys did that plenty 🙂
I am using them as a tree skirt for my Christmas tree.
What a cute idea. I love it.
I cover my hair while mowing grass with a bandana!!
They were all the rage to wear as head scarfs when I was in my teens.
Knotted around a spoonful of sugar and given to a crying baby. Early pacifier.
I never heard of that. What a novel idea 🙂
I use them for a background or prop in flat lays.
I love that!
They Are good for washing.
Washing like a wash rag? That would make sense.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful article. I grew up on a farm and bandanas were as natural as wearing pants and shirts. We used them for many of the above. We used them to put over the eyes of an animal when we needed to help them and they didnt want help. We used them to grab a chicken a wrap it around their feet and wings. We used it for first aid until we could get real first aid. We used them for anything that came up. Mom would use it as a bib for our youngest sister. A neighbor found a baby coyote and used it to clean her up. It was used as a binki (put a cube of sugar in it, wet it and let the child suck on it a bit) quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
What great memories. Thanks for sharing. I know many a cowboy who was never, every without one in his back pocket 🙂
I use them to tie around the head for sweat, so a sweat band.
I think a lot of people do that. Even some athletes 🙂
I can’t think of any other uses than the ones already mentioned, except that’s what I first learned to iron was my grandfather’s bandannas.
Ironing bandanas. That’s great!
Tie it around a dog’s neck to keep him from running off, or around his muzzle to keep him from biting.
I think these days they make a lot of designer dog bandanas 🙂
I loved this article. My dad used them for handkerchiefs and so does my hubby. I learned to iron on them.
Using to blow noses I think is the number one use (hee, hee).
Hey Cathy! I use mine as a head band most of the time in the yard. I have tied it as a band around my straw fishing hat. It’s decor and then it’s there if I need it! Nice story! Have a good day!
A hat band! Cool idea 🙂
I’ve seen bandanas made into a pioneer style skirt… very 70’s.
I’ve seen tops made from bandanas but not skirts. I like that!
They have a colorful diamond pattern that makes the dress swirl when bright colors are used.
They used to use them to block the dust the cows kicked up if they were riding at the back of the herd. According to one song, some of the men used to give their bandanas to their girlfriends.
Bandanas to girlfriends. How quaint 🙂
I have seen them on wrists just as a cute bracelet, and maybe if you need it to wipe off some sweat while on your wrist you can use it also .
As bracelets! I’ve seen that, too, but had forgotten 🙂
A light cover or sun shade for a baby.
Use to wrap a gift instead of wrapping paper.
As a collar for a dog or just neck decoration.
I love the idea of wrapping paper!