Steering Wheel Bag

先月、おとなりさんちのレンジローバーが盗まれ、オットの車も鍵をこじ開けられました。幸いオットの車にはペダルロックという、アクセル・ブレーキ・クラッチペダルの上に鍵付きの箱をかけているので車泥棒はドアを開けたところであきらめたよう。ちなみにオットの車の隣にあった私の車は見向きもされませんでした。なんかちょっとショック。

オットの車は旧式すぎて（92年式？）キーレスエントリーとかないし、エアコンもついてないし、窓は手でぐるぐる回さないと開けられないような車なんだけど、人気が高いのと簡単に鍵をこじ開けられるということで盗難率が高いらしい。そしてイギリスは車の窃盗が多いので（ヨーロッパ他国で売りさばかれる）ペダルロックをかけて盗難防止をしていたんだけど、オットは今回の事件でセキュリティ強化だ！とか言って、車のハンドルを取り外し可能なハンドルに変えました。

そしたらさ、ハンドル入れる鞄が欲しいな～、ハンドルに傷がつかないようにクッション性のあるのがいいな～と頼まれた。

そんなわけで、ハンドル鞄。なんかもう、結構上手にできて、オットにあげるのちょっともったいない。

Last month, our next door neighbor's Range Rover got stolen. MOTH's truck was also broken in by busting the door lock. Fortunately, he had a locked box called pedal lock over the clutch/brake/accelerator pedals so the thieves probably just gave up once they opened the door and saw the pedal lock. They, by the way, weren't even interested in my dingy car.

Because it's so old (1992?), MOTH's truck doesn't have much electric gadgets like key fobs, A/C, or power window, but because it is a popular truck and that because it's easy to bust or pick the door lock, it is also popular among the car thieves to steal. Also, stealing is very prevalent here in the U.K. and cars get stolen all the time to be sold in other parts of Europe.

In order to tighten the security, MOTH bought a removable steering wheel for his truck and he asked me to make a bag for the steering wheel.

So, here you go. Bob's your uncle.

Materials:
Exterior - 1000 denier Cordura. Probably 1000D was a bit overkill for a tote that only carries a steering wheel. But it's so sturdy.
Lining - pre-quilted poly cotton?
1" nylon webbing for strap.
#5 nylon zipper.
Land Rover patch. Just because.
Lobster clip and 1/2"-wide twill tape for key strap that goes inside the front pocket.

I traced the shape of the steering wheel to use as my template for the bottom part of the tote.

I added 1/2" of ease originally, but it was too loose, so I trimmed off the 1/2".

I sew the lining for a dry fitting. This is after I trimmed off the 1/2" ease. Now it fits nice and snugly.

Deciding the length of the strap and pocket size.

Patch is sewn on the pocket. A lobster clasp is attached to the twill tape.

Strap and the pocket is sewn on the front exterior panel. (No pocket on the other exterior panel) The key strap is sewn under the strap inside the pocket.

Making zipper end tabs.

Zipper panel done. This is actually my second attempt. My first zipper was too short for the steering wheel to go through so I had to re-do the whole panel.

Zipper panel is attached to the lining.

Front panel attached to the gusset.

Top stitching around the gusset.

Exterior bag done.

Bag top.

 I even made a cobra knot zipper pull.

Key strap exposed.

I really like making bags, and though this is a relatively simple tote, I am so exited about the finished bag. I love it. Love it. Love it. I just like the "tactical look" bags (you know, rather than bags made of quilting cotton). How I wish I had an industrial sewing machine...