Alright guys, now the pressure is on!
I'm going to have to steady my wobbly fingers and make those stitches count.
More =

 

Here we go!

Final closing stitch. This completes the four separate pieces and makes the cover whole.


Video of the closing stitch.

Close-up of the binding seams of the four pieces >








This is the inner (backside) of the seams, they are joined in the center and bi-fold.


Here's the entirety of the test cover. I know it's not much to look at right now.. but you'll see.




Test fitting, over stock steering wheel >










Thickness seems to be perfect all around. The major bends all have enough material to tuck under the control buttons/bezels.
My thumb rest area looks good. I did not want the binding seam to run thru my thumb rest area like most other steering wheels I've seen. (And, I'll still have to make those "humps" / thumb-rest forms!!)

Now I'll need to lay down the stitch guides on the back and front edges of the cover to flesh out the look and to check to see if I can do the diamond weave to pull the mid-seam together.

So, stay tuned! More to come.

 

You're crazy good. =B)

 

I think you got that right..
My wife's been giggling and laughing at me for cutting and stitching little bits of material here and there, thinking what is wrong this this man? All this hassle just to have a different "look & feel" on a steering wheel??

And, I haven't even started on cutting the Real leather yet.

I don't know what you call it... May be I am crazy.

 

Impressive so far , very nice work

 

Front and Back edge-stitchings are done!










Testing to make sure the stitch spacing line up evenly. >


Looks pretty darn even to me..



Above the Cruise Control switches







Checking the bottom circumference at the Cellphone Controls >







I needed more hands! (Used a bit of painter's tape on the underside to temporarily help hold the seams close together.)






To be continued...

 

Just for my own reference, the inner and outer seam stitch.
(Don't watch these videos unless you Really want to waste 11 minutes of your time.. You will not get them back, nor do I offer any refunds. )

 

I'm going to have to skip a few detail parts just so I can get this project wrapped up (no pun intended..)
What has happened since last week:

1. I've make some tweaks to the template so it'll use a bit less leather once I start the final cut on the real materials - top grain hide (for the top and bottom pieces) and the preferrated leather (for the two side pieces)

2. Also, I've finished making the molds for the thumb rests and will start the process of vacuum forming the parts for them tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to getting the new custom leather stitched and put on!!

 

Very nice work . How big are you making your thumb rests?

 

Thank you.

Well, I've whittled about 1/2" depth into my mold, so give or take a bit once I hand stitch the leather-seam shut, it may be a tad smaller...

Either way, I have short stubby thumbs so it should be just right for me.
Honestly anything is Better than what we have now.

Mainly it's just to give it some form and a little thickness at around the 10 & 2 o'clock location of the steering wheel.

 

very cool , should be about right for most i would think

 

This is so impressive! You are truly an artist/craftsmen. This is like following the Vikings series on the History Channel. I can't wait for the next episode!! If you move onto covering the dash next I wouldn't know what to do with myself!

 

Yeah looking really good, excited to see the final hand stitch and it fitting tight to the wheel. At that point I'll put in my order for a black leather cover with grey suede trim

 

Thank you sir.
The way I look at it is this... I have two good hands and a fairly decent brain. Better to put them to good use and try to make something myself > Just like how good ol' Americans did it in the past. IF them cowboys use to hand stitch some leather chaps and a full saddle for their horse back in the day, surely I can make a silly leather steering wheel cover (to my liking) with modern tools and equipment.

If only I had more hands I can work on the project AND film myself at the same time. Getting my wife away from the baby to video me messing with "loin cloth" (as she calls it) is not something she's willing to do each weekend.

Alright now.. don't get me side-tracked.

But, just to let you know... I have thought about upholstering the dash cluster's louver and the doors panel armrests with leather.
They are completely separate projects that I'll have to take on at a later date, of course...


Thanks buddy!
I appreciate the support.

I'll have to see how many pieces I can cut out of the leather I have on hand, kind of difficult to figure out exactly since 'raw' leather comes in all these odd shapes & sizes.

 

I know what would be nice, a leather covered parking brake handle. My last car had it and it was a nice feel.