ST. GEORGE, Utah — Keslee Hunt, a full time worker and mother of two, turned a sewing lesson for her yellow Labradors into a local pet accessory business.
Hunt launched The Bandit’s Bandannas after discovering how much she enjoyed making reversible scrunchie style bandannas for her dogs, Deco and Bandit. What began as practice at the sewing machine soon became a product she could share with other pet owners.
At a glance
The Bandit’s Bandannas offers reversible pet bandannas with an elastic scrunchie opening that slips over a dog’s head. Hunt makes each piece by hand and pairs its main print with a coordinating reverse side.
Inspired by her own dogs
Bandit did more than lend his name to the business. His energetic personality helped Hunt appreciate a design that could be simple to put on and remove. Instead of tying around a dog’s neck, her bandannas use an elastic scrunchie style opening that slides over the head.
Two looks in one handmade piece
Each bandanna is reversible, giving a pet owner two coordinated looks in one piece. Hunt spends time searching fabric stores for bold prints and complementary backing patterns. She also polls her social media followers for input before making selections.
Easy to wear
The elastic scrunchie opening slips over a dog’s head without the need to tie the fabric in place.
Reversible style
Every bandanna combines a main print with a coordinating reverse side for two distinct looks.
Made by hand
Hunt cuts and assembles each piece herself, spending about 15 minutes on each bandanna.
Hunt launched the business in late August.
Approximate time Hunt spends cutting and assembling each piece.
The St. George boutique now carries Hunt’s bandannas locally.
A local shelf for a growing idea
Hunt said demand moved faster than she expected after the late August launch. Her work is now stocked at Whisker & Bone, a pet boutique in St. George. The opportunity began when the shop’s owner, Sam, contacted Hunt through a local community forum.
Hunt has not yet happened upon one of her pieces while out in the community, but customers regularly send photos of their dogs wearing her work. Those pictures give her a chance to see the finished bandannas become part of everyday life for local pets and their families.
Seasonal prints are next
With the holiday season approaching, Hunt is preparing a festive collection of seasonal prints. The next release continues the same formula that began with Deco and Bandit: practical construction, playful fabric and a piece made by hand.
