What kind of leather is used to cover a car's steering wheel? We cover the steering wheel with leather ourselves. Creating a pattern and cutting out a new braid

You can make your car look attractive yourself. All you need is imagination and, of course, desire. You can change or update interior elements or some parts under the hood. In this article I will tell you how to cover an old steering wheel. Do-it-yourself leather steering wheel reupholstery is the first step towards updating and improving the car's interior. Don't think that only specialists can do this. Re-upholstering the steering wheel with your own hands is not only an instructive, but also quite an interesting process.

Considering the fact that the steering wheel is a part of the car, human contact with which is made throughout the entire route, therefore, it is necessary to choose only high-quality material for reupholstery and it is desirable that it should be genuine leather. Since any other fabric will deteriorate from constant rubbing of hands on the steering wheel after just a month of using the car. The intended skin should not be very thick, but it should not be thin either. If it is too thick, then you will not be able to pierce it with a needle, and if its thickness is small, then the new steering wheel cover can deteriorate very quickly. The optimal thickness of the material for covering the steering wheel is 1.3 millimeters. An ability such as extensibility should be of average value. This is a very important criterion to consider before purchasing. Its elasticity should allow the material to fit tightly on the steering wheel, otherwise there’s no point in thinking about quality.

You can consider the option of having perforation. This is a rather unusual and attractive look, and it is also pleasant to work with. But, having such positive qualities, I can also highlight its negative side - wear and tear. The only optimal solution for you is natural smooth leather.

Before purchasing, make sure that the material offered to you really has the necessary qualities, and that they are not slipping you a substitute. You also need to pay special attention to additional materials that will be used in this matter. The thread should be as strong as possible, because it will pull the edges together, so it should not break easily. Choose a strong needle, make sure it does not bend. My advice is to buy several of them.

What will you need?

To reupholster you will need the following materials and tools:

• Leather (it must meet all necessary criteria);
• Stitching needle (the needle must be strong). If possible, use Soviet-made needles, as they are really high quality;
• Strong thread (nylon is used);
• Two thimbles (it’s almost impossible to work without them). They will keep your fingers from getting punctured.
• Masking tape, sheets of Whatman paper (it is better to use thick cardboard);
• Pencil or felt-tip pen;
• Film;
• Knife (it is better to use a stationery knife).

After preparing all the material, you can proceed with the remaining processes: cutting and reupholstering.

Making a pattern

In order to correctly tighten the steering wheel, and for the result of your work to have an impressive appearance, you need to make a pattern. To do this, you need to make a preliminary layout (template).

It is made of adhesive tape and film, which must be used to cover the steering wheel. But before this you need to remove the steering wheel, as this will make the work easier.
The first step is to remove the cover from the signal and unscrew the fastening nut that holds the steering wheel to the shaft. After this, using loosening movements in different directions, remove the steering wheel from the splines. Now that the steering wheel is removed, you can do the preliminary layout. To create it, you need to wrap a film around the steering wheel and apply masking tape over it. Do not skimp on material, wrap it in several layers.

Once the entire rim is covered, you need to use a marker to make marks where the seam will go (where the parts join). This is done for the reason that it is very difficult to make a one-piece case, so it will be made of four parts. And those places where the parts will be connected to each other are marked with a marker. We also draw a marker along the inside of the steering wheel. It is advisable to draw all lines as evenly as possible. This will allow you to make smoother original parts when cutting. After all the lines have been drawn, the layout must be cut with a stationery knife along these lines.

After cutting, you should have four separate elements. Now they need to be leveled and attached to the cardboard to create patterns for the pattern.
After the patterns are ready, they need to be applied to the base material in order to produce the final version of the covering. But, it is important to remember that you do not need to cut it exactly to size, but give some allowances for each edge of the part and then bend it. This is necessary in order to sew them together efficiently, and so that the thread does not tear the skin during tightening.

That is, the seam will be strong enough and the skin will not tear when stitched. In addition, the folds give the new steering wheel a more aesthetic appearance. Allowances can be given immediately while you are tracing the pattern. You can also first trace, and then use a ruler to add one centimeter to each edge. This way you will maintain an even retreat on each side.

After this, you can check how correctly the cutting of the elements was done. You need to place each of the patterns in the intended place and see how they are positioned: their edges should meet each other. If the stock left is too large, you can trim the edges. If everything is fine, nothing bothers you, you can begin the final process - sewing the parts together.

Step-by-step instructions for reupholstering

So, everything is ready, you can start. At this stage, it is important to follow the order of doing the work so as not to mess anything up.

• The first step is to overcast all the edges that will be sewn together. The fact is that each edge will bend (we left indents specifically for this), and since the thickness will double at the bend, it will not have a beautiful appearance and it will be very difficult to pierce such thickness with a needle. That's why stitching is necessary. It will allow you to maintain the required thickness of the leather along the edges and thereby make the edges strong.
• We lay out our (4) parts of the future steering wheel cover on some surface. They need to be laid out exactly in the order in which they will be located on the steering wheel.
• Prepare the needle (pull the thread into it).
• Now you need to sew all the individual elements together sequentially.
  As a result, you should have a hoop.
• Now you need to pull it onto the steering wheel. Position it so that the seams match the cuts.
• Next, you can fix the cover on the steering wheel using glue or epoxy resin. Everyone makes this decision personally, you don’t have to stick it.
• Now try to stretch the leather (even it out) to determine how much to fold the edges before the final step.

The last stage is the most difficult, since here it is important to maintain uniform skin tension throughout the steering wheel. It is not only difficult, but also difficult. It is much better if you ask someone to help you (one tightens and the other stitches).

So, the first thing you need to do is decide which edge to start from. Basically, it just depends on convenience. You need to stretch the skin to form a joint; if the joint does not meet, it’s okay, thanks to its elasticity, the joint will be pulled together with thread. The entire cover is sewn together in this way.

In those places where the cover can go under the signal cover, you need to do without thread and use glue. After completion, you need to straighten the new cover on the steering wheel; if there are any folds, it’s not a big deal. After a few days they will smooth out and the surface will be completely smooth. Now you can install the steering wheel in its original place, secure it with a fastening nut and cover the signal cover.

Covering the steering wheel with leather will significantly change the appearance of not only this element, but will also emphasize the overall appearance of the car's interior. In addition, by doing this yourself, you not only saved your money, but also gained good experience in reupholstering, and also became more familiar with the steering structure of your car.

Video " Steering wheel reupholstery”

A video about the work of a master from the Rusty Brothers company reupholstering a steering wheel rim in the BMW M style with leather. After watching the recording, you will learn what tools you need to prepare and how to cover the steering wheel yourself with leather.

The steering wheel is the element of the car with which the driver comes into contact most often. This leads to wear on the steering wheel coating and the appearance of abrasions, which not only spoil the appearance, but also make driving less comfortable and convenient. In order to restore coverage, many drivers buy from automobile stores. The disadvantage of having a foreign object on the steering wheel is the inconvenience of driving.

In order to give your car's steering wheel a stylish appearance, as well as replace the often poor-quality factory coating with a more comfortable one, it is recommended to reupholster the steering wheel with leather. The best option would be to do it manually - this way you can not only save on the finished leather covering, but also re-tighten the steering wheel according to your preferences for convenience and beauty. Leather covering not only looks better and lasts longer, but also improves the handling of the car.

Selecting material for steering wheel reupholstery

Nowadays, there are many types of ready-made steering wheel products available in stores. However, the most profitable option would be to create the leather covering yourself. The advantages include not only cost savings, but also the ability to create a unique cover for the steering wheel of a specific car.

The best material for creating the coating is genuine leather. The optimal thickness is 1.3 millimeters, since thinner ones will wear out quickly, and thicker ones have low ductility during processing. In addition, it is desirable that the skin be taken from the sides or back of the animal - this material has the best degree of stretch.

An excellent option for a car steering wheel is perforated leather. It has a more stylish look and is also more comfortable to drive due to better friction. At the same time, it is less resistant to damage than smooth.

Before purchasing leather for steering wheel covers, you need to inspect the material for cracks, tears and other defects, as they will manifest themselves during the creation of the cover or already in use. It is necessary to choose the color and texture of the leather so that it matches the style of the salon. In addition, it is recommended to buy leather with a reserve or make sure that the seller has more material, since errors may be made during the process of creating the covering.

The least suitable materials for wear-resistant coating are leatherette and other artificial types of materials. They quickly become unusable and have little elasticity. That is why leather, despite its relative high cost, is the most popular option.

Materials and tools needed to create a leather steering wheel cover

In order to make a high-quality steering wheel coating, you need to use several simple and affordable tools and materials:

• high quality upholstery material;
• a bobbin of durable synthetic thread in the color of the covering material;
• hardened steel needles for working with leather;
• 2 thimbles for pushing the needle;
• a roll of mounting tape;
• A3 sheet of cardboard paper;
• roll of cling film;
• a marker that gives a thick line;
• small scissors;
• two-component strong glue or epoxy resin for working with leather;
• an industrial or powerful household hair dryer for drying glue.

Creating a steering wheel cover template

In order for the steering wheel to be wrapped with leather accurately and of high quality, a pattern is needed. This, in turn, requires the correct template, which will allow the shape of the steering wheel to be transferred to a plane - a pattern for cutting out the leather.

The first step in creating a steering wheel template is to dismantle it. You need to remove the signal cover, and then unscrew the nut holding it on the shaft. Next, you need to swing it to the sides.

The steering wheel is wrapped in cling film, and several layers of masking tape are applied to it (this way, the tape will stick only to the film). The steering wheel must be divided into several conventional parts - along the joints of the existing coating. As a rule, there are four of them - one central and three with rounded sides. It is important to number or label each item as they are different from each other. To create a pattern, a layer of tape must be pressed onto thin cardboard. Preferably at night.

Creating a pattern for a leather steering wheel cover

The next step after the template is the pattern drawing. The tape mock-up, pressed onto heavy paper, may end up being slightly larger than the size of cover required for the handlebar. However, during use, the leather will first become wrinkled and then smooth out. In addition, an overlap of material is necessary in order to sew the parts - it should be 2 millimeters from the edge. Next, you need to trace the template unfolded on the plane of the cardboard, and then trace it, leaving an overlap.

Sewing leather cover for a car steering wheel

To create the finished steering wheel cover, you need to lay out all the parts on the table so that they will come into contact during use. Next, you need to firmly sew the parts together with strong threads that will withstand a long period of use without wearing out. That is why it is important that the leather, threads and glue are of high quality - ideally, such covering is made for years of use.

After the cover has acquired its shape and volume, you need to try it on the steering wheel. It is important that when putting it on the steering wheel, the folds are not too large, since they will not be able to stretch during use and can greatly deform the entire coating when directly exposed to the sun.

To smooth out the seams of the covering against the overall background of the covering, it is recommended to cut grooves on the steering wheel. You can do the same with the edges of parts of the material.

Leather-covered steering wheel

At the stage of fixing the covering on the steering wheel, it is important to give the coating maximum adherence to the surface and the best connection with each other. You need to stitch the material crosswise. In this case, the threads at the junction of the steering wheel spokes are passed through and come from the back side. You can secure the stitches with a double knot at the start of the constriction.

For car enthusiasts who are doing this procedure for the first time and have no experience in reupholstering, it is recommended to use glue or epoxy resin. This will make the fit more reliable and durable, as well as correct certain errors. The glue must be dried with a hairdryer and allowed to dry. Car owners who have previously reupholstered prefer to soak the leather in water - this way, as it dries, the coating fits better due to the reduction in size.

After the glue or the coating itself has dried, you can put the steering wheel in place. The same applies to all parts - alarm covers, buttons, airbags and other devices.

Bottom line

Do-it-yourself reupholstery is a painstaking and monotonous task. However, it allows for a stylish and practical steering wheel cover in a simple and affordable way.

The steering wheel is like nothing else close to the motorist, since it is in close proximity, and besides, the driver has the longest contact with it during a long drive. It is the steering wheel that has to endure the cuffs and blows of its owner in case of troubles on the road, such as: a sharp maneuver by an overtaking person, a woman driving :-), or a traffic police inspector appearing out of nowhere...

Anyway, enough of the lyrics, let's get down to business!

As you already understand, the steering wheel is quite an important part, therefore its surface should have a pleasant appearance. You must admit that if you have to spend hours, or even days, behind the wheel, not everyone will want to hold on to a shabby, scary steering wheel. One day I was simply tired of my mediocre steering wheel, with its scuffs and unevenness, after which I decided that I would do steering tuning, I don’t know how, but I will do it :) After digging a little through forums and websites of craftsmen, I found something what information that made me understand what I would have to face, but how exactly I would act, I did not yet know.

The steering wheel trim varies, but the most popular is leather. According to experts, leather steering wheel trim is the optimal solution to improve the contact of the driver’s hands with the steering wheel. Perhaps someone is a supporter of wooden inserts, or all sorts of inlays with Swarovski rhinestones, but at home, the “ordinary driver” will be satisfied with the usual reupholstery of the steering wheel with black leather.

In addition to convenience, reupholstery is also a good opportunity to stand out and give the interior of your four-wheeled friend a steering wheel tuning , which, in addition to leather reupholstery, provides for changing the shape and size of the steering wheel.

Like any job, reupholstering the steering wheel with leather will require you to have certain skills, and of course, financial investment.

So, in order to cover the steering wheel with leather, you will need:

1. High-quality leather on the steering wheel;
2. Sewing needles, preferably “Sovdepov” hardened, needles of the new type are not suitable, they are too soft and therefore bend (tested);
3. Two thimbles (safety first);
4. One roll of masking tape;
5. Thick cardboard;
6. Cling film;
7. Marker;
8. Stationery (or any other, but very sharp);
9. Nylon thread (the stronger the better).

Well, gentlemen, if you are ready, I propose to begin the procedure code-named “do-it-yourself leather steering wheel”

Reupholstering a steering wheel, like any other work with material, begins with a pattern.

1. The first thing you need to do is cover the steering wheel with cling film, and then wrap it with masking tape. I admit honestly, this version of the pattern does not belong to me, it was invented by some folk craftsman, and I saw it when I was planning O sew leather steering wheel on your car.

2. After wrapping the steering wheel, you need to roughly divide the steering wheel into several parts, drawing it as shown in the pictures, then cut out the finished patterns. You can put them under a press for several hours so that they take the shape of the patterns.

3. For convenience, you can transfer the shapes of individual parts onto thick cardboard, this will make it more convenient to transfer the template to the skin. Don't forget to number and label all the parts, this will save you headaches in the future if you mix everything up. This is necessary so as not to accidentally sew steering wheel leather not in the correct sequence (as was the case for me 🙁).

5. If the steering wheel is reupholstered with leather according to the rules, then you will not experience the so-called “gas lifting” (an unpleasant phenomenon in the form of the steering wheel trim turning on the base), but since I am an amateur in this matter, I decided to play it safe and add some for good measure. epoxy resin. This solution will avoid this unpleasant phenomenon.

6. The next thing we need to do is cover the steering wheel with leather , which we have. I did this in several steps, in my case due to lack of time. In short, it took me about 3-4 days to make my own leather steering wheel. The stitch or seam option, as you like, had to be chosen differently from the one originally planned, due to the fact that the thread was not strong enough (that’s why I said at the beginning that the stronger the nylon thread, the better, don’t repeat my mistakes) it was constantly torn, so it was necessary to increase the distance from the edge of the skin to 5 mm. And this, as you understand, affected the consumption of the thread itself. If you buy a normal thread, the optimal distance from the edges will be 2-3 mm.

At this point the work is completed, I hope you managed to cover the steering wheel with leather, and your dream has come true, for which I congratulate you!

You can see what I got in the photo; you should get approximately the same result. As for me, considering the lack of professionalism and the lack of any skills and abilities, I managed to cover the steering wheel with leather quite well , At least I’m not ashamed to show it to people. Of course, if you order such a steering wheel from some tuning studio, where this work will be done by professionals who have done this hundreds of times, the quality will be much better, but the price of the issue will be completely different... Go ahead, try it and reupholster You will definitely succeed in using leather steering wheels at home!

Many car enthusiasts dream of covering their steering wheel with leather. The most “desperate” ones decide to do it themselves, without spending money on the services of a tuning studio or car service center. Below you will find out in detail:

• What you need to tighten your own steering wheel.
• How to properly tighten the steering wheel.
• What mistakes should you avoid?

Before work

Hand-finishing the steering wheel is not only economical, but also exclusive!

Having your steering wheel professionally covered with leather in a specialized salon is indeed not a cheap pleasure: the prices are sometimes unreasonable. By finishing your steering wheel with your own hands, you will not only save money, but also make it truly individual. You just need to buy genuine leather and be patient mixed with the desire to learn new things.

There is no point in talking about how to choose leather: you should rely entirely on your own taste. It is only worth noting that perforated leather is best suited for such purposes because of its softness and elastic structure.

Smooth leather will make work more uncomfortable, but on the other hand, it can last longer. So make your choice based on your own preferences. The maximum thickness of the material is 1.5 mm, but it is better around 1.3 mm.

Covering the steering wheel with leather: making a model

First of all, remove the steering wheel. How to do this correctly depends on the specific brand of car, but most often it is first unscrewed from the body and then removed from the steering shaft. Once the steering wheel is literally on your desk, you will need to make a mockup of it.

Video tutorial on how to cover a heated steering wheel with your own hands

For this purpose, food grade polyethylene film is used: it needs to be carefully wrapped around the steering wheel. The next layer of the winding is the mounting tape. Wrap as tightly as possible. Next, mark the places that will be cut with a marker, then carefully cut the layout according to the markings.

You will get so-called patterns. Their shape depends on whether the car has a two- or three-spoke steering wheel. For example, Ford Focus 2 has a 4-spoke steering wheel, so there will be more details. To avoid mistakes when cutting out leather, first transfer all marks onto paper. Still, the material is not cheap - it’s a shame to ruin a whole piece. That is, make a convenient paper layout from which all the marks and sectors of the layout can be transferred to the final material.

Do-it-yourself leather work

Very important: leather is a stretchy material. That's why he needs a tightening. To avoid the common mistake of transferring the contours of the paper model directly onto the leather, then remove about 5 mm from the edges on the sides, but leave a margin on the sides for the steering wheel spokes. As in the picture below.

In the photo - a pattern for covering the steering wheel with leather

Such work as covering the steering wheel with leather can go down the drain due to the slightest mistake. To avoid mistakes and damage to expensive material, you can periodically apply your work to the steering wheel: as they say, “measure twice, cut once.” And only when you are 100% sure that the size is accurate, cut off unnecessary edges. After that, it's time to pick up the threads. For this purpose, it is better to use nylon ones - they are as durable as possible.

First, sew all the pieces together, positioning them correctly. Don’t forget about stitching the edges, using the loops of which you will then pull the cover directly onto the steering wheel. After sewing everything together, carefully place the cover on the steering wheel and smooth it out so that it fits snugly. By the way, you can pre-moisten the leather product in warm water for 20 minutes and then wipe it. Such leather will be easier to stretch over the surface of the steering wheel, but it will also be easier to tear - be careful.

The final stage: the correct seam

The remaining work is difficult due to its jewelry. First you need to decide how the leather will be attached to the steering wheel while you work with a needle and thread. The cover should not ride on the steering wheel, but you will need both hands. You can call someone to help, but stitching will be very long and painstaking.

In order not to cause hassle for yourself and your assistant, it is better to come up with some kind of device that will securely secure the case. Next, decide on the running seam. Often they use macrome, braid and sporty hair, some use herringbone or cross hair. It is better not to use herringbone for beginners: it may end up crooked, and such a seam does not shine with strength.

So, holding the cover with one hand, you will sew it with the other. The most important thing is done at the beginning - firmly securing the thread at the start of stitching. It is convenient to pierce the skin with an awl. It will not be possible to mark the holes in advance, so this was not mentioned. It’s just that during the work you will have to trim somewhere, and in some place you will have to pull it tighter to make the seam even. If you do this in advance, you can ruin all the beauty.

Patience and work - and you will succeed. With average skill, sewing a cover can take up to 5 hours of labor or more. In order not to rip the seam from the very beginning, meticulously observe how smoothly it runs along one line. You can use rubber cement to tighten the edges of the skin under the signal cover. It wouldn’t hurt to coat the steering wheel with it for greater strength.

Bottom line

That's all: the work is done, the steering wheel can be installed in place. Durable and comfortable fitting will now delight you day after day!

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The steering wheel is used by the driver during the entire driving time. It is this that first of all receives all reactions in the form of stroking or pushing, expressing anger, joy or annoyance from the person who is sitting at the steering wheel. Driving safety can also depend on the quality of the car steering wheel.

Do-it-yourself braiding on the steering wheel will help minimize the risks from inconvenient operation of the steering wheel. One of the advantages of self-installation is the selection of individual materials and colors to match the overall interior decor.

The choice of upholstery determines the method of its fastening, further care for it, as well as the durability of the selected material.

Leather braids

It is customary to use natural leather as upholstery material. It is more durable and practical to process. The material is selected with or without perforation. The presence of holes helps to add volume to the product and is also an additional decoration. It's also a bit visually smooths out possible unevenness surfaces or minor technical problems during processing.

Leather braid

Leather is the most comfortable of materials due to its performance qualities.

It is easy to care for and is also more hygienic than other braid options. This point is especially relevant in cases where the car has several drivers. The leather steering wheel can be easily wiped with an antiseptic solution before driving. This procedure is not dangerous for the material, but will protect you from receiving “unwanted surprises.”

High-quality material may initially scare you off due to its price. However, not worth saving on such an important part of the car. The price will pay off with a long period of use, a good mood while driving and easy care.

Fur braids on the steering wheel

The use of fur braids only in the first couple of days can be of interest; then such an impractical and easily soiled material will bring more negative emotions when driving. Fur wrinkles quickly in areas of the most intensive use. The pile also gets dirty too quickly and loses its aesthetic appearance, especially light colors.

Fur braided steering wheel

Between the villi a large amount of dust and dirt gets clogged, which reduces the level of hygiene for such a frequently used control. In summer, hands quickly sweat, the pile can also get wet, which causes slippage when controlling. This factor can affect the safety of driving a vehicle.

Braided wire braids

Wire braids were once fashionable on cars. They were often used to decorate mainly domestic VAZ models. The practicality of this option lies in the relative strength of the plastic wire winding. It rarely wore out even with intensive use.

However, compared to artificial leather or genuine leather the woven base is not as cute and not hygienic enough. Dirt quickly collects between loose coils and is not so easy to remove. The use of solutions with household cleaning chemicals helps to restore a neat appearance.

Braided braids for VAZ

In winter, such material quickly “stiffens” and warms up poorly. You have to use gloves while driving.

Useful braids on the steering wheel

By making your own braid, you can make it not only beautiful, but also useful. For this purpose, special massage inserts are made in the outer part. They improve the usability of the steering wheel and also help improve blood microcirculation in the palms and fingers.

Along with massage seat covers, this braid helps during long car journeys.

You can install heating under a self-made braid. The option will be useful for all drivers in Russia, since the cold season in our country lasts for several months. The button to turn on the heating can be displayed on the instrument panel.

Upholstery color and thickness

Don't choose trendy colors. They can quickly get boring, and you will need to re-upholster them again. And since it’s unlikely to be possible to sew a braid on the steering wheel quickly, you will have to drive for some time with the old, boring steering wheel constriction.

Original braid

It is advisable to select a material that is not too thick so that your hands don't get tired. For short distances this is not a significant factor, but when driving a thick steering wheel for a long time, fatigue will be noticeable.

Volumetric inserts

It is unlikely that foam inserts under the braid will help. At first they will add softness, although they will increase the thickness of the wheel. For cars with a thin steering wheel, this may be a bonus, but during operation such a thickener is quite will quickly lose shape. Due to this state of the foam, the outer material will sag and scroll along its diameter.

For those who do not know how to make a voluminous braid on the steering wheel with their own hands and at the same time maintain the shape of the “steering wheel” for a long time, we can advise use pads with gel filler. It will not flatten, since it is based on containers with an incompressible substance. It is enough to protect such a steering wheel from punctures and burns.

Braid with gel inserts

Basic parameters for selection

In order to determine the required size of material for the braid, you do not need to remove the steering wheel. All you need to do is take a tailor's yardstick and take measurements along the outside of the rim. This will be the basic setting. You also need to measure the diameter of the rim to determine the required width of the upholstery strip.

In this case, an addition of 3-5 mm per seam is taken into account. Most often, the outer diameter is in the range of 35-41 cm. A smaller steering wheel is typical for sports cars, and a larger diameter is preferred for luxury cars. In addition to aesthetic perception, there are legally approved standards for steering wheel sizes.

Types of lacing with nylon thread

According to Russian GOST, the rim diameter should not exceed 40 mm.

Not all traffic police officers are on duty with calipers to take measurements, but if there is an obvious discrepancy, you can be punished for such an excess.

Sewing braids yourself

Reliable tools and high-quality, carefully selected material will help you get a good result. Let's give example of leather steering wheel tuning. To make a braid you will need to stock up on the following set:

• leather strip approximately 120x10 cm in size and several additional flaps;
• lasting nylon cord for stitching, about 3 meters, it can be replaced with leather twine;
• breakdown for perforation for lace;
• minimum two needles length from 50 mm and a hook with a small head for tightening nylon thread;
• pair of tailors thimbles;
• skein cling film and a roll of tape;
• drawing A1 sheet for the pattern.

Decorative seam on braid

There are two options for steering wheel trim. In one case, only steering wheel tuning is used, and in the second, the spokes are also upholstered. Both options, when carefully executed, look nice, but the method of decoration without upholstering the spokes is considered to be less labor-intensive.

Spokeless steering wheel cover

In this case, you can get by with a strip of leather, the length of which is calculated using the formula, multiplying the number pi (3.14) by the length of the diameter. Additionally, you can use a tailor's meter to take empirical measurements of the outer circumference. In this case, until the last stitching of the tape into a ring, you need to put a little tension on the skin, as it will stretch slightly on the steering wheel.

The ring can be made not only from a single piece, but also from combinations of perforated and smooth elements, material with embossed milling or relief embossing, using multi-colored inserts of various leather tones that harmoniously fit into the overall interior of the cabin.

Types of seams

The allowances left for sewing the braided parts together are will need to be coated with glue for skin. This operation will add strength and subsequently prevent the threads used to connect the pattern pieces from standing out at the joints. The seams may protrude due to the allowances of the leather. This can be removed by lightly tapping the seals with a hammer.

Holes are prepared for lacing using a punch. It is a metal tube with one edge sharpened. By pointing it with this side on the skin, on the other side you need to hit it with a hammer, you will get a hole. The excess skin will go into the puncture hole.

Having marked along the entire side for stitching, you can punch out perforations for lacing with thread or leather twine. It is difficult to buy such string separately, and finding a long two-meter piece of genuine leather is almost impossible. For this purpose it is used a device made from a knitting needle and a sharpened pencil.

Making a leather cord

They are tightly held together with tape and a spiral is drawn on a piece of leather. The tip of the knitting needle is held above the line drawn with a pencil. Parallelism is maintained between the edges of such an Archimedean spiral, which most engineers studied in universities. The thickness of the twine must be at least 3-4 mm, otherwise it will break if pulled too hard.

To pull such a cord you will need to use an awl. The process will be longer, but the result will be more original than stitching with nylon thread.

It will be more convenient to start lacing immediately after the knitting needle. This way the knot will not be “conspicuous”. The operation is performed using several types of cross lacing. The simplest options are cross stitches or sequential stitches. It is preferable to tighten after a complete passage along the sector between the nearest knitting needles.

For better fixation, you can pour a little shoe glue into the cut between the braid and the steering wheel with a syringe until it is completely tightened. Heating the glued surfaces with a hair dryer will better distribute the liquid. Additionally, smoothing is applied along the outside of the braid.

Punch for perforation

Knots of nylon cords must be coated with superglue so that they don't come undone. The nylon slides together, and a small amount of glue will fix it in one place.

Spoke steering wheel cover

A more complex option involves making a pattern for sewing upholstery. It is done using cling film and wrapping bark around all areas for new upholstery. We fix this base with molar tape. After this, we draw the seams with a marker and number the resulting pattern pieces. On a separate sheet we draw a diagram of the location of the numbered parts.

Now you can carefully cut the masking tape along the marked seams. We straighten the resulting parts and outline them on sheet A1. Then we cut out the patterns taking into account the addition of dimensions for the joining seams.

Step 1. Wrap with film, then with tape and number the sectors Step 2. Forming patterns for sectors Step 3. Try on the sewn patterns on the steering wheel Step 4. Sew up all seams Step 5. Install the decor and buttons in their places

We sew the parts together using a machine along the length of the steering wheel. You definitely need to make a little tension. Punching perforations for lacing. Now you can fix the braid on the steering wheel and lace up the seam. First you need to remove the plastic decor and the airbag cartridge. After lacing, we return everything to its place. If necessary, glue the gap between the steering wheel and the upholstery. Dry the glue with a hairdryer.