by Barbara
“How to Make Steering Wheel Covers”
I have made several “Steering Wheel Covers”.
I got the idea from a friend and then put my own “touch” on it.
NO! They are NOT to be used while driving.
INSTRUCTIONS:
I measured the diameter (distance across) the steering wheel.
Then I made a full circle template, using that measurement, on a piece of paper.
Using that template (pattern piece) I cut three circles out of a fabric of my choice and one out of batting.
At this point you can embellish circle#1 any way you want. In this tutorial I have chosen Corvette to embroider (from set Convertibles ) on a black satin circle (a little smaller than the circle) and appliquéd it to the circle#1.
OK…you get the idea! Use your imagination.
Now you’re ready to put it together.
1..Place Batting
2..Place Circle # 1(embellished circle) on top of batting-Right Side Up.
3..Fold 3rd circle in half and press. Place folded half circle at the top-with fold across center(horizontally)
4..Place plain circle on top of stack.
Line up all edges and pin well. Stitch starting at the bottom of the circle. Leave a 6 inch opening at the bottom of the circle.
Turn right side out. This will put the Half circle on the back to slip over the Steering Wheel
Line up all edges and pin well. Stitch or serge this circle leaving about 6 inches opening to turn.
You will hand stitch this opening closed after turning right side out.
Good luck.
I find this project great fun.
This is fabulous. I make a lot of gifts for stocking stuffers and I always have a hard time finding something for the guys. I can imagine these not only with the convertibles, but with monster trucks, etc. Thanks for the great idea.
Your timining is terrific. It is always a chalange to do sometthing for the men on my list thanks nadine
how much extra should I allow for the thickness of the steering wheel? and what size seam allowances did you use?
This is really cute, but can you drive with it on, or do you take it off to drive? If you leave it on, does it fall off when you turn? I love the idea though. Thanks.
[editor's note: Yes, please remove before driving! The instructions have been updated! ~rob]
great Idea!
genial continu comme cela dommage lidee est tres bonne mais cela sera bien pour l ete prochain cela m eviteras de me brulee les main mais pour cette hiver cela sera plus que genial je n aurai pas froid au main merci pour l idee moi je vais y broder une jaguar rouge merci encore ton site est super
Thanks for sharing. Think husband would like one of these for his Packard. (o;
Is this on when you drive? If so, seems rather unsafe. Just a thought.
[editor's note: No, Mary, never when you drive. I updated the instructions. Thank you! ~rob]
Great idea for leaving your car in the sun and NOT burning your hands on the wheel! I’m going to use this, and go one further to cover the shift stick in my car, too. Because of course I can never remember to bring the windshield shade with me…
VERY IMPORTANT CAVEAT about the steering wheel cover, however: modern steering wheels have airbags in them, and must not be covered while the vehicle is in operation. Same goes for seat covers and side airbags (which are located in the front seats). And window shades that hang from the ceilings, and “curtain” air bags (located above the side windows in higher-end models).
Thank you for the pictures with the instructions!! These are so cute, and the choices are endless… Sorority letters for the girls, a horse for the rider in your life, school name and the ball for the sport for sport players or moms. You get the idea. Thanks again! Cathy
That is so cool. I really need one of thoes here in Texas where it is so hot. Will keep my stering wheel cooler.
Thanks for the idea.
I love it. What a great idea. We used to have sports cars a while back. I’m going to make one for my husband’s car with MGB on it. Thank you Barbara.
I love it. What a great idea. We used to have sports cars a while back. I’m going to make one for my husband’s car with MGB on it. Thank you Barbara.
I live in Corpus Christi, Tx and it gets AFRICA HOT down here and this is the greatest idea to help keep my steering wheel cooler. When I get off work the wheel is so hot I can hardly touch it. I hope you don’t mind but I will share this idea with a friend of mine. It will make wonderful Christmas gifts. Thanks, Charlotte Houghton
Thank you, thank you. I need a steering wheel cover, and have been looking for directions. Living in Arizona, it’s a dry heat, it really gets hot inside the vehicle when having to park outside while at work. I will make these for my family as well.
Thank you so much for the directions.
Great tutorial! I really need to make one of these for my ole car. Sometimes her steering wheel is almost too hot to touch in this Florida heat!
Thanks bunches for sharing with us!
Be careful that you aren’t covering the air bag outlet.
[editor's note: I updated the instructions - these are only for use when the car is not moving - never to be used when driving~ rob]
Good morning.Wow what a great idea for the men of the house and what about for the first car they get .something from Mum,Grandma.They would be thrilled to have something unique for their pride and joy and perhaps a reminder of their loved ones when that foot gets a bit heavy on the pedal.Well done again for another brilliant project.god bless and keep you safe.Rae
Gread very nice jobyou have done!!!!
Barbara I like your steering wheel cover. I am going to make some. They will make great gifts for those that have everything. Not to mention keeping the steering wheel from getting cold in winter or hot is summer. Thanks for the pattern.
Alta
If you use Insul-Bright for the batting, would that keep your steering wheel from getting hot in the summertime?
This is so cute. I will give you credit when I make one for my golf cart. Thanks.
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing it!
Thanks for the embroidery idea … a friend from our sewing group (Brenda Morter) gave a class on making these steering wheel covers … they are absolutely great for keeping the wheel cool during the hot days of summer. What a great idea to embellish our steering wheel covers w/ embroidery.
My Gosh what a neat idea. I have a golf cart that could use a wheel cover. I looked allover and could not find one. Thank so much for the instructions too.
Nice idea, but you couldn’t leave it on while driving. Most cars now have accessory buttons on the steering wheel that you would need access to. I thought this was going to be a cover just for the outside wheel. My Husband thinks it would be a nuisence, and wouldn’t want to bother with it. It looks very nice, though.
The wheel cover would certainly protect the steering wheel from sun, and help with heat.
Be sure to remove while driving!!!
This is a very nice project. We have a vintage car that we take to car shows. Often the car can set for a number of hours and the steering wheel does get very hot in our summer sun. Thanks for this wonderful idea and pattern.
I like this idea. We have a 69 suburban that we go to classic car shows. You could even add a website link and advertise it during a show. Thanks for the idea.
Amazing and sooo easy even I can do it, I’m no good with written instructions, but this is a doddle. And what a beaut and useful gift especially here, the steering wheels get too hot to touch in summer.
Thank you
Great idea for the hot South African weather, especially in our Summer. Thank you
This is truly a unique idea and will make a wonderful gift. I have to chuckle because I am completely my BS degree after many many years of being out of school. I am currently completing a math course and one of the test questions was finding the Circumference and area of a circle. So for those of you willing to design the template using math. The formula for finding the circumference of the circle is: C = 2pi (3.14)r squared. R = the radius or 1/2 the length of the diameter. To find the total area that would make the template, the formula is A = pi r squared. Sorry I couldn’t write this out using proper algebraic symbols, but basically you can figure easily if you can measure the diameter then half the diameter for the radius. LOL just adding some humor
we have a classic car, I think I might make one too, what a great idea, thanks for the instructions
Hey Gang; I forgot to say you should “add” whatever seam allowence to the circle measurement you like to work with. Also you can stitch piping to the small circle(if you used one that way). When seam is turned to the inside you can “stitch in the ditch” to attach to the main circle. This is a very tailored look for the guys. Lace can be added to the gals. There are soooo many possibilities. I will be anxious to see your creations. Barbara
Does it just wrap around the wheel to stay on or did you use elastic? Great idea!!! I am going to give it a try. Thank you
[editor's note : in the instructions, you will see the piece of fabric folded in half - when stitched and turned, this is what you slip over the steering wheel. ~rob, editor]
Our night time temps in Phoenix, AZ are in the low 90′s and 110 during the day. I would add insulbright batting to the covers. Insulbright might keep the cold out too. I now have a plan for xmas presents.
This is a great idea. Nice Thank you.
The first thing I thought of was a SMALLER SIZE
pattern used as a pot holder that is made the same way but never thought of using the idea as a wheel cover. Well this wasn’t my first thought, my first thought was that I just can not believe the many ppl that read this post and miss the important points Barbara made regarding safety and use. Yoda would tell them to Read twice and comment not. “Nut”
Barbara,
Love this idea and the possibilities! thanks
I am so happy that this was put on here. Like many it gives me ideas for xmas presents. Thanks so much
Cool idea!!! I love it!! Great to have something for the men folks on our list. I would even make it for the ladies, hehehe! I guess it is never too early to start on those Christmas gifts and birthday, Valentines, etc. Thank you for the great idea!
I like this idea! I am thinking of repurposing an old silver sun shield in the middle instead of batting. I’m hoping that will also work to keep the steering wheel cool.
Barbara,
What a clever idea. It will be perfect for the hot summer days here in Georgia
With four adult sons I am always puzzled on what to make them for Christmas. Thank you so much for sharing.
Awesome idea,thank you so much for the easiest instructions ever to follow.Great project…I am making one for myself and everyone else,lol.Thanks again.jewelrymaker2007