We make a leather steering wheel braid with our own hands. Braid for the steering wheel with lacing How to braid the steering wheel with wire with your own hands

In addition to the design element of the car interior, the steering wheel cover made of genuine leather has a number of other useful qualities. Firstly, such a leather cover is always "warmer" than the plastic surface of the steering wheel or covers made of synthetic materials. Second, the handlebars are thicker, which reduces finger fatigue.

The steering wheel braid is not difficult to do with your own hands. You don't have to buy leather at the store, you just need to disassemble an old leather jacket or bag, cut out three pieces measuring 40cm by 9cm and sew them together. Leather lacing can be cut in a spiral, which will significantly reduce the consumption of leather for the manufacture of the cover.

First you need to measure the diameter of the steering wheel and its thickness. The length of the braid can be calculated using the formula from the geometry course for grade 7 (2PR) or measured with a centimeter tape. Average steering wheel casing length passenger car within 120cm, and the girth of the handlebar thickness is approximately 9cm. But since you will be sewing yourself, do not rush to sew all parts of the cover at once in a circle. It is better to try on the steering wheel cover before making the last seam, trim off the extra centimeters, then it will sit tighter on the steering wheel, with a slight tension, which is desirable for such an extensible material as genuine leather.

In addition to the leather, you will need a hole punch and a cord, approximately 2 to 3 meters long. Both can be bought in the store, especially since the punch is inexpensive, but it will come in handy more than once. Instead of a nylon cord, you can make a narrow leather strip and use it not only for lacing the cover, but also for decorating the braid surface. A case with such a lacing will be much softer at the junction, and appearance his will be more solid. We will tell you how to make leather lacing just below.

Since the bar cover must have at least one joint, we recommend that you immediately divide the total length into three equal 40cm sections (approximately). Firstly, a long piece of leather (120cm) can only be cut from a whole hide. And secondly, pieces of leather can be combined, for example, two gray, one black, or otherwise. You can even make 5-7 or more sectors, but this is at your discretion.

You need to connect three or more sections of the cover on a sewing machine. Two layers of thin leather can be easily stitched with any sewing machine... The only thing to look out for is the fit of the top layer. To reduce it, place a narrow strip of newspaper or tracing paper under the foot. After the seam has been made, the paper can be easily removed.
See Recommendations for working with leather.

One more point. The allowances on the seamy side must be coated with rubber (or leather) glue and pressed for a few minutes. To make the seam almost not stand out, you can knock on it from the seamy side with a hammer or the handles of large metal scissors.

The connecting seam on the right side of the braid can be decorated with two decorative stitches, approximately 0.5 cm on each side of the connecting line. But it is better not to do this, since the connection from this will not become stronger, but on the contrary, many punctures of the needle will weaken this area of ​​the skin and, over time, tears may form in this place. The braid connection looks quite good even without finishing stitching (photo).

Punch the holes for the lacing with a punch. Choose the distance between them yourself, but keep in mind that 1cm is too little, and 2cm is a lot. Be sure to mark the holes with chalk (on the seamy side) or with a helium pencil along front side... The holes on both sides must be symmetrical, paired.
See DIY braided belt.

This diagram shows how to make lacing. Pick either one and try it first on a braid without handlebars or cord tightening. Then pull the braid over the handlebar, placing the butt seams symmetrically. For example, one seam at the top, two on the sides. By the way, the wheels must be positioned exactly so that the steering wheel is exactly as in a straight-line motion.

The easiest way to make lacing is shown in this diagram. By the way, think about how you will wind the cord through the holes in the braid. You can make a crochet hook out of a safety pin; you can buy a special needle with a large eye. In a sewing accessories store, you can also buy a special device for threading a thin elastic band, cords into a drawstring, a belt, etc.

Do not overtighten the laces immediately. It is better to do this when the entire cord or leather strip is completely braided into the case. Then, gradually pulling each stitch, you can evenly and gently tighten the entire lacing.

Leather lacing strips will look much more interesting on the steering wheel than a nylon cord. But for such a lacing, you will need 2-3 meters of a narrow leather strip. It is not always possible to carve them out of the remnants of the skin, especially if you will be braiding from small pieces of leather. Then take advantage of these tips. Take a skin area 8-10cm in diameter. Tie a helium pen (tape) to a knitting needle. Place the point of the knitting needle in the center of this piece so that the pencil also touches the surface of the skin. Begin drawing the spiral with a pencil, aligning the knitting needle with the spiral line you have already drawn. It will be the guide for the knitting needle. This way you can cut a fairly long piece of lacing from a small piece of leather.

The width of the leather strip for lacing must be at least 3-5mm.

5. Cord for steering wheel

Leather lacing has a number of technological difficulties. Not only is it quite difficult to cut the lacing into perfectly even narrow strips, they still need to be joined together later.
In addition, it is quite difficult to stretch it through the holes, and even so that it does not turn inside out, which will be conspicuous. Indeed, in natural leather, the seamy side often has not only a matte untreated surface, but also a completely different color.
Therefore, it may be much easier and easier for you to sew a braid for the steering wheel from two or three pieces of leather, punch holes, and lacing with a regular nylon cord to match the color of the skin.

We offer you several ways how you can quickly and easily make a case for your phone with your own hands from genuine leather.

Hello dear readers! Surely, many of you consider a car to be not a luxury, but simply a means of transportation, which should be without unnecessary features and bells and whistles. At least, such a statement can often be heard in the circle of motorists, however, it is impossible to say for sure whether it corresponds to reality, because which driver does not want to provide himself with the most comfortable travel conditions, even for short distances.

At the very least, this manifests itself in the usual cleaning of the cabin and washing the car body, and if there is also free money, then the imagination can fly up very high.

Quite often, the improvement process is not only about "looks" vehicle, but also its internal content, which includes the interior items of the car. One of the most visible and frequently used items of this type is the steering wheel. Therefore, it is not surprising that, first of all, it is he who is considered as an object for modernization, and today we will tell you how and with what materials this can be done.

1. Leather steering wheel - a combination of comfort and beauty

Agree, we are used to seeing leather braid (cover on wheel) in the salons of expensive foreign cars, and in addition to it there are usually leather seats and upholstery of almost the entire interior space of the body.

Naturally, the first thought that comes to mind after such a spectacle is the question of the price. Yes, it is really not cheap, but nevertheless, you should not get hung up on the cost, because this is just a stereotype: if there is a leather interior, it means an expensive foreign car. In modern reality, there are a lot of substitutes for leather, which are very difficult to distinguish from real material, and if you only care about aesthetics, then this option is just great for the owners of any car, no matter whether it is new or old.

In the case of the steering wheel braid, genuine leather will not only help decorate this car part, but will also add a couple of positive aspects to the quality of car control. The fact is that leather upholstery, unlike plastic, is capable of allowing air and moisture to pass through (drops will not accumulate on the surface of the steering wheel), and this will help avoid slipping if your hands suddenly sweat. In winter, the leather cover makes the steering wheel warmer and more pleasant to the touch, as this material retains heat better. Enhancing this effect is not a problem, you just need to buy a braid from perforated leather.

I think no one will argue that to control the steering wheel leather-covered- much nicer than any other material, in particular plastic (soft skin helps to avoid the appearance of calluses from constant contact with hard and uncomfortable material). However, there are some disadvantages to this accessory. First of all, it requires much more attention in terms of care, and if you want this part of the car's interior to serve for a long time, always having a presentable appearance, you will have to stock up on special means.

By using them to regularly wipe down the surface of the leather braid, you will protect it from drying out, which contributes to faster wear and the appearance of cracks. In principle, instead of specials. means, for these purposes, other liquids containing alcohol are also suitable, and if they are not at hand, then in extreme cases, you can use ordinary wet wipes, the main thing is that the material does not suffer from a lack of moisture.

At correct operation and proper care, leather braid can last up to 5 years, after which the material, nevertheless, will have to be replaced with a new one. Currently, the range of these products is simply huge. Manufacturers, depending on color, design and style, offer various options for leather braids. You can choose a model for those who prefer a classic strict style (in addition there is lacing), as well as for those who have interesting sports or more glamorous notes in the design of the vehicle interior. Usually, such a leather case is sold complete with all the materials necessary for installation (laces, threads, buttons and instructions with detailed description installation process), so if you decide to purchase a similar accessory for yourself, you will not have any problems with this.

2. How to make a braid on the steering wheel with your own hands?

In the case when, for some reason, you could not find a suitable braid model for yourself (you didn’t like the color, style, design, you don’t like the right size, or you just want something extraordinary), it’s quite possible to make it yourself. First, decide on the color and texture of the leather material. The best option, in this regard, is perforated leather, which is a softer and more elastic material, and it is easier to work with it than with smooth one. True, the latter is less susceptible to rapid wear. The thickness of the leather should be chosen in the range from 1.2 to 1.4 mm.

And so, for work you will need: a piece of good leather material, thread, needles, scissors, and ... endurance, especially if you didn't have to sew too much before. Before starting work, it is better to remove the steering wheel, but given the laboriousness of this process, you can limit yourself to dismantling interfering parts (for example, adjustment buttons or airbags). Before performing these steps NECESSARILY disconnect the battery.

Like any other sewing, creating a leather braid on the steering wheel will not do without developing a pattern. It is not difficult to make it, you just need to cover the steering wheel with cling film, winding paper tape on top (you can use masking tape) and draw a seam along it with a marker, then cutting through the structure according to the markings applied. For cutting, it is best to use a sharp utility knife that will cut rather than tear the tape and plastic. As a result of the actions taken, you should have at least three pieces of the stencil (all these parts should be numbered so that later you will not face the consequences of an incorrect sewing sequence).

Then we take them and apply them to thick cardboard or other thick paper, circle them with a marker and cut out the patterns, leaving 5 mm on the seams on each side (so that the material can stretch better, we leave 3 mm at the joints of the skin). Notice! When the developed layout is transferred directly to the skin, when marking on the material on the sides, it will be necessary to add another 1.5-1.7 cm. After carrying out all these actions, all the parts obtained are applied to the steering wheel and they check whether everything is the same in size, cutting off excess parts before overcasting. If all is well, then all the parts are folded in the right order and sewn together.

When sewing pieces together, it is better to use a sewing machine and synthetic threads (preferably nylon), the seams then turn out smoother, clearer and the product lasts longer. In addition, such a seam will make it easier to tighten the finished braid on the handlebar, as the holes for the hinge will be ready. Of course, you can try to do it manually, but in this case the process will not be as easy as it might seem at first glance, therefore, you should first practice on a cheaper material (leatherette) and if everything works out, then with a clear conscience go to the skin ... If the result of the "training" did not meet your expectations, it may be better to use the help of the employees of the nearest atelier.

3. What determines the quality of the result?

The positive result of any work is the totality of all its successful stages. This statement also applies to the creation of the steering wheel cover. In order to finally make sure that all the previously performed actions are correct, you should carry out a general "fitting" of the product, and then fix it on the steering wheel. That is, the last stage will be the direct braiding of the steering wheel.

Remember!The quality of all work largely depends on your patience, accuracy and scrupulousness in this matter. The steering wheel is braided as follows. To begin with, pieces of the workpiece sewn together are applied to the steering wheel, making sure that they are located symmetrically (you need to focus on the inner side of the steering wheel). Then the places of the steering wheel, over which the seams pass, connecting the individual parts, are marked with a marker.

Also, if you do not want the seams to protrude, you can make indentations in them, but after that you will have to constantly use the braid, since without it the steering wheel will become completely unattractive and shabby. The next step is lacing the leather braid, which is carried out by analogy with lacing shoes, only the thread, in this case, is threaded through the loops of the seams on different sides of the product.

Advice!If the braid does not adhere tightly to the steering wheel, then to avoid scrolling in the future, it is worth strengthening it with a thin layer of epoxy applied to the steering wheel.

In addition to lacing, you can also fix the product by stitching, taking into account the thickness of the material (leather). If it is not thick enough, the braid may tear apart. Do not try to tighten the thread the first time, it is better to make several loops, selected in advance in steps, then come back and tighten the first loop. So, keeping to the set pace, move on.

If the skin is very hard and does not heat well, you can slightly moisten it with water, thereby increasing the elasticity. However, when it dries, it will shrink back, and this cannot be ignored, since after tight sewing, the dried product may crack. When the braid is completely pulled together, all previously removed elements are installed in their original place. Now, you can appreciate your new leather steering wheel.

Now a steering wheel without a braid is like a man without clothes. After buying a car, every car enthusiast strives to give the interior the best possible design. And the braid on the steering wheel is one of the most prominent criteria for a cozy and comfortable interior. To top it off, as evidenced by surveys of motorists, the thicker the steering wheel, the more convenient and easier it is to turn it. In our article we will analyze how to choose the right one and how to put on the braid on the steering wheel of a car.

Such different braids

Braids come in a variety of colors, textures, materials, widths and designs. And on the steering wheel, different models can hold differently. Some are made on a rubber base, others on a lacing, and still others require that they be sewn up from the inside. Next, we will look at how to put various modifications of the braids on the steering wheel.

Why is it necessary to buy braids for the bar size?

If you buy a braid that is not in size, especially one that does not tighten around the steering wheel rim, that is, on a rubber base, the driver may have problems of the following nature:

• Too small a braid will make it impossible for you to physically pull it over the handlebars. Have to go back to the store and change to a larger size.
• Too large a casing will cause the handlebars to slip. If you suddenly need to maneuver sharply, a quick turn of the steering wheel can lead to the fact that only the sheath turns instead of the steering wheel, and this threatens to create an emergency.

The braid should fit snugly against the outer rim of the handlebars or wrap around it completely. Therefore, before learning how to properly put the braid on the steering wheel, you should first figure out how to buy it by size.

We measure the size of the steering wheel

If you don't know the diameter of your steering wheel, no problem. You can measure it with any tape measure or sewing centimeter. When buying, it is important to know two main parameters:

• steering wheel diameter;
• rim coverage.

In order to find out the diameter, we measure the distance between two points of the steering wheel, mentally drawing a line through the center.

To measure the width of the rim, measure it by circumference.

Now that we know all the quantities we need, we can safely go to the store for braiding. More information on how to choose a braid for a car can be found in the following video.

Selection criteria by safety rank

The safest type of braid is the one that will need to be sewn around the inner edge of the steering wheel rim. Such a sheath will be akin to the steering wheel itself and will not turn under any jerks. In addition, the steering wheel's internal ribs will interfere with steering. Lacing will not allow the braid to turn physically past them.

The second most secure, but at the same time the most budgetary and widespread type of braid is with an elastic band. That is, the braid is not exactly rubber-based. It is simply elastic and can stretch for a certain number of centimeters. This braid is also safe, but only on condition that it is purchased by size.

Putting on elastic braid

Now we come close to the question of how to put on the braid on the steering wheel. Let's start with more simple option- elastic. Since you can put on the braid on the steering wheel without lacing without resorting to any improvised means and tools, we just sit behind the wheel and take out our new braid from the cover. Further instructions will be as follows:

Everything. The process is complete. You can hit the road with a new braid.

We put on a braid with lacing

Now let's figure out how to put a braid with lacing on the steering wheel. Here you have to be patient and tinker a little longer. The braid must include its own nylon cord and needle. If not, you can choose a needle of your choice, as long as it is long enough. 7 cm - the most the best option, the main thing is that a nylon cord can fit into the eyelet. It will be better to blunt its edge a little so that it does not damage the braiding material.

Usually braids with lacing are made of leather or high quality leatherette. Such material will further increase the safety of driving, and not only because of the lacing. The skin does not slip in the hands, and the car will become more comfortable to drive.

Here are instructions on how to put on a leather braid with lacing on the steering wheel:

1. We block the steering wheel.
2. We place (put on) the braid on the steering wheel. It will look ugly, but this is only until we pulled it off.
3. We make sure that the seam, as in the previous case, is at the back of the steering wheel. To do this, we put the braid on the steering wheel and start pulling it from the rear (from the driver's side) side of the steering wheel.
4. We align the braid so that the joint we will sew is exactly in the center of the inner rim circle.
5. We thread the cord into the needle and make a knot at the end of the nylon thread so that the thread does not slip through the hole in the braid stitching at the beginning of sewing.
6. We begin to tighten from the side of the seam in the back of the steering wheel, and we make the first seam from the back of the braid stitching, once passing the needle through one of the stitching holes so that the knot remains inside the future cover and is firmly fixed there.
7. All subsequent stitches are made only through the stitches of the stitching and the first is to pass the needle under the stitches of the upper and lower edges of the braid, located strictly opposite each other.
8. We drag the thread, we pull it together. And then we act in a similar way. Next stitch. Insert the needle under the next stitching line from above and below. We pull together. Until we reach the inner "rib" of the steering wheel.
9. We pass the thread under the rib and continue to stitch (tighten) the edges of the braid further behind the rib.
10. When the entire circumference of the braid is pulled together and we have returned to the lower part of the braid to the longitudinal seam, we tie a knot. Everyone can do it in different ways. The main thing is that it is not very noticeable. After tying, the edge of the nylon thread should be sealed inside the braid by inserting it there using the tip of the needle.

That's it, the wrapping process is complete. Anyone interested in looking at the process from the outside can familiarize themselves with the video.

We hope that our article on how to choose and how to put on a braid was helpful to you. All the best.

24.04.2016

The steering wheel of a car is not only one of the main controls, but also an element that you pay attention to when you get into the car and which determines how convenient and pleasant it is to drive. Intensive use of the steering wheel leads to a fairly quick loss of its original appearance. In this article « » I'll tell you how to return the steering wheel to its previous appearance and make it even more attractive.

To get started, you need

1. Remove the steering wheel from the vehicle (refer to the vehicle repair and maintenance manual).
2. Building masking tape - 1 large roll (paper tape, regular oilcloth will not work)
3. Food or packaging film - 1 roll
4. Stationery knife, preferably with a new blade
5. Dark marker - 1 piece
6. Cardboard (preferably medium density)
7. Strong nylon thread (the one used for shoe repair is suitable)
8. Sewing needles, preferably hardened (take a few pieces, they may bend or break)
9. Two thimbles on middle fingers (to protect fingers from puncture)

Well, the most basic material for work is leather. Skin better brother good quality, and if you want to exercise, then it is better to use leather or a leather substitute from old jackets, pants, bags, etc.

Making patterns

It is necessary to wrap the steering wheel with food (packaging) film. The film should fit snugly against the base of the steering wheel.

Then, on top of the film, as tightly as possible we roll masking tape so that in end result the braid did not work bigger size.

We take a marker and divide the steering wheel into four parts, make a mark on the inside of the steering wheel for the inner seam, preferably evenly.IMPORTANT: number or sign each part before cutting. We cut it clearly according to the marks made, you should get four patterns.

Cut out patterns and lay them on a flat surface, press them with something heavy, and leave them overnight so that they are aligned and take the desired shape. Next, transfer the aligned patterns to cardboard (it will be more convenient to make patterns on the skin, NECESSARILY make a margin of 1-1.5 cm for each element), and then transfer to the skin.

We sew the elements cut out of leather in order from numbers 1 to 4, the first and last are sewn together to make a ring.

We try on the finished braid on the steering wheel, the workpiece should not dangle, but should fit snugly against the steering wheel (if it does not fit, you need to sew it in one of the seams). If everything worked out, go to next stage we take the steering wheel braid and sew the edges to perform this procedure better sewing machine, if it is not possible to sew, you can make a winding on the edges of the product (use only strong threads).

Handlebar Pull-Back Stitching Options

Completion robots

In order to prevent the braid from slipping on the steering wheel during operation, the edges can be fixed with glue or epoxy. After all the preparatory robots have been completed, you can proceed to tightening the braid on the steering wheel. Upon completion, the robots install the steering wheel back on the car and enjoy the result.

Imagine that you have decided to upgrade the interior of your car. We ordered genuine leather seat covers, retightened the front panel, ceiling, doors and even the gear knob. But your new interior will look unfinished until you change the look of the steering wheel. The simplest and quick way to do this is to put on the steering braid.

What is the head braid for?

Surely you have wondered more than once: why do you need a braid at all, if the steering wheel can simply be painted in the desired color? For starters, it has a decorative function. You can choose suitable material and color range and thus freshen up the interior of the car. The braid also has other useful functions. For example, it increases the thickness of the steering wheel for a more comfortable grip. The material under your hands will be softer and warmer than the original bar plastic in cold weather.

In addition, the braid protects the steering wheel itself from mechanical damage: scratches, chips, abrasions. If the material has deteriorated during operation, it is easy to remove the braiding and install a new one, while the steering wheel itself will have to be carefully and long-term restored. If you got a used car, whose steering wheel can no longer boast of a factory look, such a cover will help to hide all the flaws.

Another one important feature: The braid will provide a secure grip between the surface of the handlebar and your hands. Your palms will not slip while driving, which means your travels will be safer.

The appearance of the steering wheel has become much more expensive, it now looks like on cars of a higher class. I would also like to especially note that the steering wheel has become thicker, not as slippery as before, and most importantly, now it is pleasant to the touch. In a word, I'm happy with what came out, including the price tag and ease of installation.

Arsenyhttps://www.drive2.ru/l/3031715/

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When choosing a steering wheel cover, you will be faced with a wide variety of materials. Among the most popular types are the following:

• braids made of genuine and artificial leather;
• fur braids;
• wire braiding;
• silicone pads;
• foam rubber covers.

Useful braids can be distinguished as a separate category: in addition to their basic functions, they have a number of additional advantages. These include, for example, heated steering wheel covers and massage pads. Let's consider each of the types in more detail.

Leather braids

As we have already noted, both natural and artificial leather are used for the manufacture of braids. Naturally, natural leather will be stronger, softer and more pleasant to the touch than artificial leather. However, its price can be 3-4 times higher, which makes it unaffordable for many motorists. Both artificial (it is also called eco-leather) and natural leather have good performance characteristics. Such material will not fade in the sun and will not swell from moisture ingress. He is not afraid of temperature changes.

Usually, leather covers are chosen by males. This material looks solid and expensive, fits into the interior of any car. A leather case can be a good holiday gift.

When choosing such a braid, give preference to perforated leather. It is softer to the touch and more breathable for a breathable effect.

Fur

The fur used for the head braids can also be artificial or natural. Natural fur retains heat better in cold weather. Although, if you do not ride in the cities of the Arctic, then artificial material will cope just as well. Sheepskin is often used in the manufacture of covers.

Faux fur with a long pile is often dyed in bright colors, complemented with fun elements. The use of such a cover will give out a cheerful and carefree personality in the car owner. Such braids are most often chosen by young women.

Wicker covers

Wire braided covers are also called retro braids, because they were very popular in the middle of the last century. Now such braids are used by those who want to style their iron horse under classic car times of the Soviet Union.

Wicker covers retain their basic functions: protecting the steering wheel from damage and from slipping hands. At the same time, their price is much lower than that of leather and fur counterparts. The most popular material for making braided covers is ordinary wire with insulation, which can be found in almost everyone's garage. Some craftsmen make braids from hard and thin linen ropes.

Wire braiding can be ordered in special workshops, or you can make it yourself using the weaving patterns. Using different colors, you can create your own unique steering wheel designs.

Silicone and foam cases

Often, silicone or foam is used for the manufacture of steering braids. Manufacturing technology helps to make cases from these materials inexpensive, but perfectly copes with all tasks. The color scheme of such braids is very diverse: you can find both calm pastel shades and bright neon tones. Foam pads are often painted with a colored pattern, and transparent silicone protects your steering wheel, but reveals its original appearance.

Useful braids

Useful covers, as mentioned earlier, include heated braids. Any material can be used in their manufacture, but most often it is natural or eco-leather. It is enough to connect the wire from the cover to the cigarette lighter, and you are provided with additional heating of the palms.

Braided massage inserts are usually made of rubber. The special relief acts on certain points on the palms, improves blood circulation, thereby preventing fatigue and numbness of the hands.

How to choose the right steering wheel cover

When purchasing a braid, it is not enough to choose only the color and material. It is very important to determine the correct size and shape of the part.

By size

The cover must be suitable for the size of the steering wheel. If you choose too small, you will not be able to pull it, and too large will be ugly to dangle and form folds. Use a meter tape to find out the diameter of the steering wheel.

The size range of steering covers is represented by the following types:

• S - the smallest size, suitable for handlebars with a diameter of 35 to 36 cm, usually used on small cars like Oka or Tavria;
• M - medium size for handlebars 37-38 cm, found on most modern foreign and domestic passenger cars with a body type sedan, hatchback or liftback;
• L - large size, designed for rudders with a diameter of 39-40 cm;
• XL - steering wheel diameter 41-43 cm, usually found on UAZ and GAZelle vehicles
• 2XL - This size is found on some imported trucks with a rudder diameter of 47–48 cm.
• 3XL - for steering wheels with a diameter of 49 cm, found in domestic KAMAZ vehicles.

It will be safer if you make the cover yourself or order it in a special workshop. Professionals will accurately measure the diameter of your steering wheel and prepare the perfect fit.

By car make and model

To find out the diameter of your handlebar, see your Owner's Manual. Have different models diameter may vary slightly. If you do not want to take risks with the selection of a cover according to the size of the steering wheel, use a ready-made solution: on sale you can find special braids made according to a pattern for most popular cars. Type in a query indicating your model in the search bar and choose from a variety of options.

By purchasing a cover in this way, you can be sure that it will fit not only the diameter of the steering wheel, but also the thickness of the rim, as well as the location of the spokes and buttons.

By sight

Everything is simple here: you have determined the size and model, and then you can proceed to visual selection. First of all, decide on the material. Leather, fur or modern synthetic materials will create a radically different image for you and your car. Think about the color scheme of the interior: if it is completely sheathed with black leather, then hot pink long fur will look ridiculous. If the upholstery contains inserts of red, beige, blue or other contrasting shades, the steering wheel in a similar range will support the color scheme.

How to do it yourself - instructions

If you do not want to spend money on ready-made braids, then you can easily make it yourself. To do this, you will need a standard set of sewing accessories, the braiding material itself, a pattern, as well as a little time and patience.

Materials and tools

Prepare everything first necessary materials and tools. These include:

• selected material for a new cover;
• old cover (if any);
• cling film;
• masking tape;
• marker;
• tailor's chalk;
• sharp tailor's scissors and a stationery knife;
• special threads for working with leather;
• a sewing machine suitable for working with leather (or for the material of your choice);
• glue.

Steering wheel cover making process

The process for creating the headband will differ depending on whether you are going to cover the spokes. If not, it will be much easier to do it.

1. Measure two main parameters with a meter tape: the circumference of the handlebar (future length of the product), as well as the circumference of the rim itself (future width of the product).
2. Based on these numbers, cut a strip of leather to the appropriate length and width. If you are using leather that is highly elastic, step back about 1 mm into the part. This will allow you to better and tighter pull the resulting cover over the steering wheel.
3. Sew the part with a sewing machine about 3 mm from the edge on both sides.

If you want the cover to cover the knitting needles, you definitely need to make patterns for future patterns. This is done as follows.

1. Wrap the handlebars tightly with cling film.
2. On top of the film, stick masking tape in several layers. It should cover the entire surface of the steering wheel, without gaps. Pay special attention to the knitting needles.
3. Use a marker to draw a line down the center of the inside of the handlebar rim. Now you mark the place of the future seam. Divide the steering wheel into sections from spoke to spoke. If you wish, you can make only one seam - the center one, but in this case you will have to try very hard when lacing.
4. Using a stationery knife, cut the masking tape along the marked lines and remove it from the steering wheel. You have got some kind of patterns.
5. Attach the resulting patterns to the seamy side of the material from which the cover will be made. With chalk, carefully transfer the contours, observing all the bends.
6. Cut out the resulting detail. If you are using leather that is highly elastic, step back about 1 mm into the part. This will allow you to better and tighter pull the resulting cover over the steering wheel.
7. Sew the part with a sewing machine about 3 mm from the edge on both sides. If you wish, you can sew the parts together.
8. Spread the edges of the parts with a thin layer of glue and fix them on the steering wheel. If you have not sewn them before, make sure that the seams are invisible.

Making patterns for steering braids

Sewing the braid with your own hands will be much easier if you already have an old cover. All you need to do is rip it open at the seams and transfer the contours to new material, then cut, stitch and put on the steering wheel.

How to properly dress and lace up the braid

Now you have to correctly put on and lace up the resulting braid. This process will differ, albeit not dramatically, depending on whether the cover is intended to cover the steering wheel spokes.

Methods of installation on the steering wheel with and without spokes

The main difference is the need to dismantle the steering wheel. If the braiding is not designed for the spokes, you can secure it by leaving the handlebars in place. But to install the cover with the material for the spokes, you have to remove the steering wheel in a regular way.

Remember to disconnect the battery before removing the steering wheel. If it contains an airbag, wait at least 5 minutes before disassembling the steering wheel.

There are one-piece cases on sale that do not need to be laced up. They are put on the top of the handlebars, and then pulled with force over the entire wheel. It is advisable that someone help in this, fixing the overlay at the top. Otherwise, it may slip off. The edges of such a cover will close, and you will not have to waste precious time on lacing.

If you made the braid yourself, or bought a lacing option, you will have to fasten it yourself. This is a fairly long, but completely uncomplicated process. You do not need to be able to sew and make beautiful stitches, because everything you need is already ready.

1. If your case is made of genuine leather, soak it in warm water for 15–20 minutes. This will increase the elasticity of the material.
2. Arm yourself with a sewing needle. It shouldn't be particularly thick as you will have to run it under the threads.
3. You do not need to pierce the material with a needle. Pay attention to the line that you (or the manufacturer) made in paragraphs 3 and 7 of the instructions for making the pattern. Pass the needle under the stitches and tighten the fabric.
4. Start at the bottom of the steering wheel and work your way counterclockwise. It is most convenient to do the first tie at the beginning of one of the lower knitting needles.
5. Carefully flatten and slightly stretch the material. Try to avoid creases and distortions.
6. Treat the entire seam in a similar manner. On the knitting needles, you will have to fasten and break the thread. You can estimate the required length and number of threads in advance by measuring the distance between the needles.
7. When the braid is fully secured, flatten it again and dry it. The material will then fit snugly around the steering wheel.

If in some places it is not possible to perfectly stretch the skin, warm it up with a regular hairdryer. As the temperature rises, its elasticity increases.

I put it on the steering wheel, put the seam in the center, began to deal with the thread. I decided to sew through one, just looked at how leather steering wheels were sheathed on cars from the factory. As a result, an hour and a half or two work and the steering wheel is ready. There are still a meter of threads left for sure. Now he looks in general like his own, the whole village is on the steering wheel. I am very pleased with the result, the steering wheel has become more comfortable and pleasant to the touch.

Tyoma Vorobievhttps://www.drive2.ru/l/422671/

Video: installing a braid on the steering wheel

Types of lacing of the steering braid

Lacing braids is not much more difficult than lacing boots. You can use threads to match the material. In this case, it doesn't really matter which method you use to lacing the braid. But if you want to give your steering wheel unusual view, use threads of one or more contrasting colors. Bright threads can be used even at the stage when the detail is sewn.

The braiding can be tightened in several ways. Whom which is more convenient and sweeter. I used the simplest one, when a thread is threaded through each seam, bordering the braid along the contour and pulling it together like a shoe lace. The thread was the same color, the solution was temporary - so I didn't show off. For the future, there were plans to use the red thread for the screed. But, for this, at least you need normal leather + additional sheathing at least for the automatic transmission lever. So that the finishing of key elements does not differ from each other.

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Some types of lacing involve the simultaneous use of two needles and threads. Study carefully and choose the scheme that suits you best.

Macrame lacing looks rather unusual, therefore it is often used when fixing the steering braid. The thread is passed under the stitch, pulled to the opposite side, and then passed under the stitch one higher. This creates a diagonal lacing through every second stitch on both sides. The thread is pulled tight and a seam is formed.

Video: macrame seam

In order to make the lacing, called sports lacing, it is necessary to start weaving with the previous method, and before the final tie, start a second thread, which in the same way will pass under all the skipped stitches. This double macramé is considered a sports lacing.

There is a second option for sports lacing. It uses only one thread, and it is threaded into each stitch, without gaps. After tightening, the seam looks very interesting.

Video: the second version of the sports seam

And there are also lacing methods that do not need a starting line. Thread holes are punched with a special device. Such seams include a pigtail, a herringbone and some others. You can understand the weaving patterns by examining the following image and video.

Video: herringbone seam

Video: cross stitch

There is nothing complicated in the technique of sewing, we first hook the needle with a loop on one side of the braid, then on the other, then again on the first, and so on. At first I simply “laced up” the braid, and after I had “laced up” everything, I was already pulling the thread. I did this for several reasons. Firstly, it will not be possible to tighten from the very first section, because the opposite end of the braid is not fixed, and, secondly, since the scotch tape will not stick, the edges of the braid walked around the steering wheel quite strongly.

SC0RPI0Nhttp://mysku.ru/blog/aliexpress/34499.html

Remember to pull the sides of the fabric only after you pass the cord under all the necessary stitches. This will make the seam smoother. For better results, practice in the area of ​​the braid before putting it on the handlebars. If you are satisfied with how the selected seam looks, feel free to install the cover on the steering wheel.

Almost anyone can make a braid on the steering wheel of a car. If you are doing this for the first time, go for a case without knitting needles. If you already have experience in tightening other parts, then you can choose more complex materials and methods. As for the lacing process, it takes more time than effort. If you or the manufacturer have worried about the stitching on the details in advance, all you have to do is thread the thread under the stitches as if you were lacing your favorite sneakers. And a variety of seams and weaves will help make your steering wheel different from others. And if it is so easy to make a braid on the steering wheel, then why not save on the services of a car atelier?