Thursday, April 19, 2012

Steering wheel cover DIY

Steering wheel cover
This mama is driving in style! 


Ok really.  Is it weird that I made my own steering wheel cover?  I have the need to make ordinary things in my life look pretty.  Well, really not so much pretty, but personalized.  I personalize everything!  My son sprained his ankle and came home with crutches.  What’s the first thing I did?  Helped him decorate them with colored duct tape.  My ex-husband jokes that I’m the only person who would think of decorating crutches.  I can’t be the only one.

I had a plain black steering wheel cover at first that was purely functional.  It kept my hands from burning in the summer heat and sticking to a freezing steering wheel in the winter.  But it became worn out and it was well… boring.  I took it inside, cut it apart, used it as a template and reused the elastic inside.  Waaaaay too easy.

While I’ve got you inside my car, I just have to show you this super cute beaded necklace that hangs from my rear view.  I’d like to think that someone lovingly made it by hand but in all sad reality, it was probably made in Guatemala or Taiwan.  I think it’s adorable how they are holding hands.  (I just look past the fact that their faces look like they have boils.)
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Update: I just made one of these for a friend, but this time I didn't use a template.  I don't have pictures but allow me to explain to you the steps I took to make one.

1.  Measure the circumference of your steering wheel.  Mine was 48".  Wrap your tape measure around the wheel like you would your hand when grabbing it.  From front to back.  This will tell you how wide to make it.  I made mine 4" wide.

2.  Cut out a strip of fabric at those dimensions plus seam allowance.

3.  The easiest way to sew is to fold over half an inch on each long side to make a casing for the elastic.  Sew those down.  You'll want to use small stretchy elastic.

4.  To cut out the elastic to fit, stretch the elastic almost as far as it will stretch to the circumference of the steering wheel.  When you relax it, it should be considerably smaller than the wheel but able to stretch to that measurement.

5.  Feed both elastics through the casings you just made and secure on both ends.  Then sew the two short ends of the strip of fabric together to make a complete circle.

6.  Done!

Have a super lovely day!

 

43 comments:

  1. Making this soon! I hate my current cover with a passion - its just ugly. You are right - life should be more pretty.

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    Replies
    1. Oh! thank you, Dana! I'm so glad I inspired you to make something better! We gotta use our talents, right?

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  2. I often look at the store bought ones but nothing seems to suit my taste!! This is awesome. I will be making them for gifts for Christmas. Woot!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! They are so easy I made a few to change out and wash.

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  3. You are definitely NOT the only one to decorate crutches! When my daughter had to have foot surgery when she was 12, I painted her wood crutches white with uber-bright flowers and swirls all over it. They were awesome! I made thick comfy cushioned pads for the handles and underarm supports out of super-cool fabrics that she picked out, too, as well as a velcro-attached bag as a purse on one crutch.
    I'm so glad I am not the only craftaholic around! Great blog!

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    1. Wow that's cool! So glad I'm not the only one!

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  4. You are definitely NOT the only one to decorate crutches! When my daughter had to have foot surgery when she was 12, I painted her wood crutches white with uber-bright flowers and swirls all over it. They were awesome! I made thick comfy cushioned pads for the handles and underarm supports out of super-cool fabrics that she picked out, too, as well as a velcro-attached bag as a purse on one crutch.
    I'm so glad I am not the only craftaholic around! Great blog!

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  5. Question? Is this like regular elastic? Does it need to be a certain width? I have some but its very thin?

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    1. When I took apart my old one, I discovered they used gigantic rubber bands. For the second one I made, I used thin cord elastic. Kind of like what's used for hair ties. I bought it off Etsy. You could probably use any kind as long as it fit in the casing.

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    2. I found that the round elastic like the hair ties last longer than some of the flat stuff. I have to wonder if the cover might slip on the wheel, so when I make one I'm going to try inserting some of that rubber shelf liner on the inside. Nothing slips on that stuff. I'm thinking I may just make some of holiday fabric to decorate the car for Christmas, Halloween, Easter--- I can really get into this, thanks so much

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    3. I haven't had any problem with it slipping on the steering wheel but it's certainly worth a try!

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  6. How did you secure the elastic? Did you sew it or what???

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    1. When you feed the elastic into the casing, sew the ends of the elastic with a zigzag stitch set on 0 stitch length. (Your needle will just be moving side to side) That will tack them down to the fabric and when you have them all secured, when you sew both ends of the steering wheel cover together, you will have extra reinforcement by stitching over the elastic again.

      Does that make sense? I'm going to be making a tutorial on this. I'm totally aware that most people (like myself) are visual learners. Pictures should clear things up a lot. I hope that helps. If not, check back for the tutorial soon.

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  7. Ya that makes sense. Thank you!

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  8. This is such a cute idea!! I made 5 of them!!! They make perfect gifts! And they pop off easily if hubby doesnt like the fabric you chose.

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    Replies
    1. Oh wow, 5! They are addictive, huh? And you'll have friends asking you for one too!

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  9. You didn't cut on the bias, did you? And I'm imagining that you had to piece your length to get 48" since cotton fabrics come 44/45" right?

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    1. Great question! You sound like a serious seamstress! I love it! No, I didn't cut on the bias. I'm not a fan of cutting on the bias ;) and I've been able to get away with it for this long. Yes, I had to piece a couple of the covers I've made and one of them I cut it along the length of the fabric because the print didn't matter. So either way, as long as you can get a long enough piece.

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  10. I am amazed you thought of making one yourself, or maybe I'm kicking myself in the butt for not thinking of it myself! My parents' car that I drive from time to time when I am in town (I don't have my own car, no need right now), its steering wheel is crumbling apart and it's kinda really unpleasant. I tried buying a steering wheel cover, but I couldn't make it fit, and was really bummed and upset. So this is really great!! I'll need to measure to make sure it'll cover the steering wheel, but I am SO doing this. And I love that it can be easily taken off and washed if it gets too dirty. Thank you for sharing!!

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  11. What a great idea to surprise my husband with a new steering cover. Now, all I need to find is a soccer print fabric to make it!

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  12. Great idea! I made one for my sister, and one for myself. Thanks for the post :-)

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  13. Is there a certain type of fabric you would suggest?

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    1. I used cotton quilting fabric but I bet velour, fleece, velvet or even corduroy would work too as well as feel fabulous on your hands!

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  14. I know this is probably stretching it, but any chance that you have made seat covers as well? I like mine to match. :)

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    1. I have tried to make seat covers and I even took the passenger seat out of my car to bring inside to make some sort of prototype. Let me tell you, that just isn't my forte! I had a hard time with it and ultimately just gave up. Now that would be a great tutorial to run into.... or maybe I'll just stick to buying them from the store. ;) Good luck to you!

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  15. I'd love to see the tutorial, did you make it yet? Did you put elastic on both sides, correct?

    Thank you'

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    1. Ok the tutorial is officially on top of my priority list. I'm sorry it has taken me so long.

      But to answer your question, yes, i used two pieces, one on each side.

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  16. Make sure you are buying the correct sized steering wheel by taking the time to measure your current steering wheel.

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  17. What fabric is in the picture? I LOVE it!

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  18. I got it from hobby lobby, it's great!

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  19. Ahhhhhh !!! I HAVE to make me one!! Plus I love the fabric you used on this pic!!! Thank you for the information!!! That was great of you!!!

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  20. Hi, I dont know if your images are copyrighted or not, but a seller on Listia is using your image to auction off instructions for this DIY steering wheel cover. Please help me report this seller(Beth125)to Listia. She has been suspended once for using copyrighted images and now that shes able to list auctions again she is back at it. Her listing for this image is here: http://www.listia.com/auction/8424636-diy-steering-wheel-cover. She shouldnt be auctioning stuff that is available for FREE on the internet!

    Thanks in advance:)

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  21. I love this idea. Definitely going to make some. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. This is great! Everyone should be as creative as you. You inspire me!

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  23. How did you make the beaded dolls? Love those!

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  24. Custom aftermarket steering wheels are the best option to replace your monotonous looking interior of the car. These wheels come in different shape and size for the convenience of the drivers. There are certain factors should be considered before buying custom steering wheel or its cover for your car. Heated wheels

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow, that's great! As smart as a new pin! I really like the car steering wheel cover, of course, if you are too lazy to work, or hands-on ability is too poor, you can also buy finished.

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  26. Thank you so much. I just bought a Jeep Wrangler color orange crush. Could not find any wheel cover that I like and decided to make one. Found a yarn that was almost a perfect match. Pattern works great. Thanks again best steering wheel cover

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  27. hello i am very interested this post,Auto insides are there to be improved, and there's an enormous market out there, so have a ton of fun doing as such! To begin with, you could get situate covers.. best steering wheel cover

    ReplyDelete
  28. hi i am really supported this comment

    Simply the same as nobody needs an exposed for walled house and likes to adorn the inside, nobody needs a plain and dreary auto. Auto insides are there to be improved, and there's an enormous market out there, so have a ton of fun doing as such! To begin with, you could get situate covers..

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete

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