Vintage Made Modern: Transforming Timeworn Textiles into Treasured Heirlooms (Roost Books, 2014), by Jennifer Casa, is a great read for anyone looking to repurpose old heirlooms. Casa shares many new ideas with modern twists. Find this project in “Vintage Pillowcases + Sheeting.”
Stylize your ride with this whimsical steering wheel cover featuring a patchwork of colorful vintage prints. Made using bits and pieces of your favorite old-fashioned sheeting, this is a fun way to bring some charm and personality to your car. And it will surely take the ho-hum out of running errands.
Finished Measurements
Approximately 49″ in circumference with stretchy sides to fit a standard car steering wheel
What You Need
• Vintage sheeting in a variety of complementary prints: (15 pieces) 3″ × 4″
• Linen or cotton fabric in a complementary color: (2 pieces) 2″ × 50″
• Nonskid fabric: (1 piece) 3″ × 50″ (the same material used on the soles of footy pajamas)
• 1″-wide ribbon: (1 piece) 3″ in length
• 1/4″ elastic: (2 pieces) 40″ in length
• Walking foot for your sewing machine (optional, but very helpful)
How to Make
Note: Backstitch beginning and end of each line of stitches.
1. Place two of the 3″ × 4″ pieces right sides together, and pin along one of the 3″ sides. Sew these pieces together along the pinned 3″ side using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Press the seams to one side on the wrong side, and then press again on the right side.
2. Sew together all of the 3″ × 4″ pieces in this manner, connecting them along their 3″ sides to create one long strip of patchwork. When finished, press on both sides then cut the strip to a length of 50″.
3. Pin the patchwork to the nonskid fabric piece, with wrong sides together. Sew together on all sides using a 1/4″ seam allowance.
4. Place one of the 2″ × 50″ complementary fabric strips on top of the patchwork, with right sides facing, and pin along one long edge. Sew the long edge using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Carefully press over the seam on the right side of the sheeting fabrics only. Be extra careful not to iron the nonskid fabric directly because it could melt onto the surface of your iron. Repeat with the second 2″ × 50″ fabric piece along the other long side edge of the patchwork.
5. Pin the two short ends with patchwork sides together to form a continuous loop. Sew along the edge using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Finger press the nonskid fabric seam open on the wrong side.
6. Center the piece of ribbon directly on top of this seam, and pin in place. Topstitch the ribbon in place on all sides using a 1/8″ seam allowance.
7. Working on a flat surface with the nonskid side facing up, fold one long fabric edge over 1/2″ toward the wrong side as you would the hem of a skirt. Press, and then fold it over again, aligning the pressed edge with the existing side seam, and pin in place around the entire circumference of the piece. (This will become the casing for the elastic.) Topstitch the casing on the back side of the piece using a 1/8″ seam allowance, leaving a 2″ opening for the elastic. Repeat this process to create the casing for the other circular edge of the piece.
8. Feed the elastic through the casing, being careful not to twist, and securely stitch it to itself. Repeat for the other side.
9. Sew both casings closed in line with the topstitching, using a 1/8″ seam allowance.
10. At this point, it will appear bunched and twisty, but in reality, it is all done and ready to be stretched over your steering wheel!
More from Vintage Made Modern: Transforming Timeworn Textiles into Treasured Heirlooms:
• How to Build an Heirloom Fabric Photo Cube
• Cute Pot Holder Zipper Pouch
From Vintage Made Modern: Transforming Timeworn Textiles into Treasured Heirlooms by Jennifer Casa, © 2014 by Jennifer Casa. Reprinted by arrangement with Roost Books, an imprint of Shambhala Publications, Inc., Boulder, CO. www.roostbooks.com
