Featured Fabric: The Blank Quilting Corp. Spread the Word by Kathryn Kramer Waters

Pattern design by: Lindsay Conner

Sewn by: Lindsay Conner

Does your steering wheel get very hot in the summers and feel freezing during the wintertime? I recently sewed a DIY Steering Wheel Cover that adds some much-needed personality to my car while keeping my hands nice and cozy! If you can sew a straight line, you can make this project, so beginners…get ready.

This tutorial is inspired by a Steering Wheel Cover at Heather Handmade, but I’ve added a non-slip liner to the inside. Follow along with these step-by-step directions to create a custom cover that’s as practical as it is cheerful.

Skills Learned: Machine sewing

Skill Level: Beginner

Finished Size:

Varies designing on your steering wheel

Fabric Requirements:

1/4 yard (.23m) of quilting fabric. I used:

• 4198-66 Green - SPREADTHEWOR-B-4198-66

1/4 yard (.23m) of fusible fleece

Grip shelf liner

1.75 yards (1.60m) of 1/4” (.62cm) wide elastic

Materials:

Sewing machine

Scissors

Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat

Sewing clips and a safety pin

Measuring tape

Directions

1. Measure the circumference of your steering wheel with a measuring tape. Mine measured 46 inches.

2. Measure the circumference of the widest part of the steering wheel handle. Mine was 5.5 inches.

3. Add 1.5 inches to the circumference (this allows for ease and seam allowances) to get the length of your fabric. For the width, use the exact width that you measured.

Example math:

• 46 + 1.5 = 47.5” (length)
• 5” (width)

I cut my fabric 47” x 5.5”.

4. If needed, sew two fabric strips together to reach the right length, then press the seams open.

5. Cut the fusible fleece the same length as the fabric minus the seam allowance. Keep it about 3” wide so it doesn’t cover too much of the handle. Piece strips together if necessary. Cut both the fusible fleece and shelf liner using this measurement.

I cut mine 47” x 3”.

6. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to fuse the fleece to the wrong side of the fabric, centered lengthwise.

7. Fold the fabric strip in half widthwise and press to mark a center crease. Optional: Use a washable marker to mark the line more visibly.

8. Unfold the fabric strip then place the shelf liner against the fusible fleece and pin in place with sewing pins.

9. Sew a straight line through all fabric layers along the center line you pressed/marked in step #7. Sew additional lines to the left and right of the center line until you give it a nice quilted texture!

10. On both long edges, fold under 3/8”, then fold under another 3/8”. Press well—these will become the casings for the elastic.

11. Near the short end of the fabric, unclip the folds. Next, bring the short ends together right sides facing, and sew with a 3/8” seam allowance. (Make sure the fabric isn’t twisted.) Press the seam open.

12. Refold the long casings near where you just sewed and clip them in place over the seam.

Sew the casings down just inside the edge on both sides of the fabric loop, leaving a 2” opening on each side for threading the elastic. I left my opening near the place I joined the loop.

13. Cut two pieces of elastic, each 30” long.

14. Use a safety pin to feed the elastic through each casing. Take this as slowly as you’d like!

15. Overlap the elastic ends by 1/4” and stitch securely. Pull the elastic back into the casing. Sew the casing openings closed.

16. Stretch the casing around so the elastic is evenly distributed. Slip the cover onto your steering wheel—and you’re done!

We hope you enjoyed this fun sewing project using quilting fabric, fusible fleece, and shelf liner to make a steering wheel cover! If you’re ready to jazz up your car, this is a fun little project to add a bit of flair.

Fabric Details:

To view the complete Spread the Word collection, click here.

Learn more about Lindsay here.