Scrapbuster No. 17 & Challenge Submission: Steering Wheel Cover with Tutorial

I am lovin' my new steering wheel cover.

 I live in Arizona where 9 years of the blistering, desert sun has done some real damage to my steering wheel.  I decided I needed a cover for it.  What a perfect scrap buster!

Nasty sun-damaged steering wheel.

This was so quick and easy to make.  In addition to being practical, it looks great, and is washable.  During the hot summer, it’s also much more comfortable on your hands after the car has been sitting in a parking lot for a couple of hours.

I used fabric leftover from the Tammis Keefe celebration (check that out here), but you could piece scraps together to make a patchwork version.  You'll also need scraps of batting.

Since I know you want to make one, too, let’s get right to the tutorial!

Supplies Needed:

• A strip of fabric 9 inches x the circumference of your steering wheel plus .5 inch seam allowance (in my case, my strip is 9 x 47.5)
• A strip of batting 3.5 inches x the circumference of your steering wheel (no need for the .5 seam allowance
• 3-4 yards quarter inch elastic

Instructions:

Step 1:  Measure the circumference of your steering wheel.  You may want to bring a helper, or a roll of tape when you do this to get an accurate measurement.  The circumference of my steering wheel is 47 inches.

Step 2:  Fold your strip of fabric in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. and sew long edge together (I used a 3/8th seam).  Press the tube flat with the seam running through the middle. (Note:  The photos show that I sewed my tube with right sides together and turned it inside out; I realized later that it was completely unnecessary to do that.)

Seam in the middle when you press it flat (note:  the instructions have you sewing the seam so wrong sides together so you don't have to turn the tube)

Step 3:  Cut you batting 4 inches wide by the length of your tube.  Lay it down the center of your tube covering the seam.  Quilt this in place.  I did a line of stitching down the center of the tube, the lines of stitching down both sides about half an inch from the edge. (You might want to use a matching thread unlike me who forgot to change it before sewing!) Why is the batting on the outside?  It will help keep the cover from sliding around on the steering wheel.

Batting is attached with three lines of quilting.  I then needed to trim away a bit of excess batting.

Step 4:  We are now going to sew the elastic on the long edges of the tube.  Start one quarter inch in from the end.  Make sure to backstitch at the beginning to lock in your stitches.  As you sew, pull the elastic as tight as you can so you are stitching it down in its stretched position.  Stop one quarter inch before  the end and lock your stitches by backstitching.  Repeat on the other side.

Stretch the elastic tight as you sew.

When both sides are done, it should look something like this.

Step 5:  With right sides together, sew a quarter inch seam along the short edges.  Again, make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam.  Make sure your seam is accurate.  You want your cover to be snug, but not so tight you can't get it on the steering wheel!

Sew a quarter inch seam to join the two short ends (right sides together!)

Your finished product ready to give you a much more pleasant driving experience.

Step 6:  Go fit your cover on your steering wheel then enjoy the cuteness and comfort!

Step 7:  Be sure to vote for your favorite Challenge 16 project!