Sewing a saddle cover: In this post, you'll learn how to sew a practical and water-repellent saddle cover for your bike. With the free pattern, you'll be prepared for all types of saddles.
The most important things at a glance:
- In this post, I'll show you how to easily sew a protective cover
- You can download the free pattern in this post
- The pattern is suitable for every type of saddle + an extra wide variant
- ✂️ Sewing level: easy
- ⏰ Sewing time: 1-2 hours
For us, the bicycle is the means of transport of choice. I can take the kids to kindergarten in the cargo bike, or quickly head out to go shopping or into town with my backpack without the hassle of looking for a parking space. Even when it rains. Because as we know, there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. True to that motto, I am always equipped with a rain jacket. Nevertheless, there are times when it rains briefly, the saddle is wet, but I still have to ride. With a saddle cover, my saddle always stays dry, and so does my bottom.
What's special about this cover for a bicycle saddle is its double layer. On the outside is a waterproof fabric like oilcloth, for example, and on the inside a moisture-absorbent fabric like terry cloth or waffle piqué. This way, you can use the inside to wipe away a stray raindrop, or it will absorb moisture should some rain happen to get through. Furthermore, the bike saddle protector can be laid completely flat. This means it can also be used as a mat on a bench or the lawn. This also eliminates the seam on the top of the saddle, which makes the saddle cover especially leak-proof.
A self-sewn saddle cover is a great way to use up scraps, an ideal gift, and can be a real eye-catcher. You don't even need to buy fabric, as you can make it a fantastic upcycling project using an old rain jacket or pants, a bag, or an oilcloth tablecloth. It is only important that the fabric is waterproof. If you would like to know more about working with oilcloth, I recommend the blog post sewing with oilcloth & coated cotton
You can also simply sew the saddle cover as a decorative shield using water-permeable fabrics or as a warm cover using teddy fabric. There are no limits to your creativity here.
Podcast tip: There are also two podcasts worth listening to on the subject of sewing oilcloth made easy and Oilcloth & Co: cleverly working with coated fabrics
YouTube Tutorial: Sewing a saddle cover
What do I need to know as a beginner to be able to sew a saddle cover?
Basic sewing knowledge is completely sufficient here. You just need to be able to sew straight, thread an elastic band, and attach eyelets.
Not sure if you're missing a few basics? Then I recommend my online sewing course “The SewSimple Sewing License“. In this 2 1/2-hour course, you will learn everything about materials, machines, and techniques you need to know to get started.
If you haven't worked with sturdy fabrics, i.e., woven fabric, before, you should take a look at my blog post on the topic of sewing cotton fabric. In it, you will learn everything you need to know for working with woven fabric.
What does my sewing machine need to be able to do to sew a saddle cover?
Your regular household sewing machine is absolutely sufficient. It should be able to sew forward and backward. You need that to lock your seams. We are only working with a straight stitch for this project. For the stitch length, I recommend a stitch length of 3–3.5 mm. Stitch lengths that are too short can make the seams porous. You can think of it like a perforation: a predetermined breaking point. With the longer stitch length, you avoid this problem with coated fabrics.
A Teflon presser foot is very useful when sewing with oilcloth. It is also called a non-stick presser foot or a glide foot. Laminated fabrics like to stick to the presser foot and are thus transported less easily. You can counteract this with this coated presser foot.
An even feed foot (walking foot) is also helpful. Many machines already have this system of intelligent fabric transport integrated. At Pfaff, it is the IDT system, at Bernina the dual transport, at Brother it is the SFDS (Square Feed Drive System) and the built-in ICAPS fabric sensor system on selected machines.
Furthermore, I recommend a stronger sewing machine needle when sewing with oilcloth. It is best to work with a 90 universal needle.
READING TIP: Everything about sewing machine needles
Which fabrics are suitable for sewing a saddle cover?
That depends on the purpose for which you want to use the saddle cover. Plus, it consists of two sides. Therefore, you should always combine two fabrics. Make sure that both fabrics aren't made of thick material. It should be more robust on the outside and softer on the inside to protect the saddle material.
Extra tip: If you use batting, you'll have an additional small cushion for your bottom.
Here are a few recommendations:
| Usage | Outer fabric | Inner fabric | Notes | Sources |
| as a waterproof cover | Oilcloth Rain jacket fabric (absolutely waterproof) |
Waffle piqué Terry cloth Muslin (absorbent and soft) |
- use a thicker needle (90) - non-stick presser foot - longer stitch setting (3–3.5mm) - clips, no pins |
➡️ Order oilcloth* ➡️ Order rain jacket fabric* ➡️ Order waffle piqué* ➡️ Order muslin* |
| as a water-repellent cover | Coated cotton PUL fabrics Outdoor fabrics (water-repellent, but not 100% waterproof) |
Waffle piqué Terry cloth Cotton Poplin Muslin (absorbent and soft, not too thick) |
- Universal needle 80 - non-stick presser foot - clips, no pins |
➡️ Order coated cotton* ➡️ Order PUL fabrics* ➡️ Order cotton* |
| as a decorative cover | Canvas Cotton Linen (non-elastic woven fabric) |
Muslin Cotton Linen Waffle piqué Terry cloth (soft, not too thick) |
- no rain protection - Universal needle 80 - thin cotton as outer fabric should be reinforced with fusible interfacing e.g., H250, G700 |
➡️ Order canvas* ➡️ Order linen* |
| as a warming cover | Teddy fabric Softshell |
Muslin Cotton Linen Waffle piqué Terry cloth (soft, not too thick) |
- no rain protection | ➡️ Order teddy fabric* ➡️ Order softshell* |
How much fabric do I need for a saddle cover?
You need a piece of fabric approx. 50 cm x 40 cm for both the outer and inner fabric for the standard saddle cover. For the extra-large saddle cover, you should plan on a piece of fabric of approx. 60 cm x 50 cm for both the outer and inner fabric. Additionally, depending on the fabric choice, you need Vlieseline (interfacing) H250 or G700 if you are combining two thin cotton fabrics. You do not need this interfacing with thicker, heavier fabrics like canvas or softshell.
If you would like to know more about Vlieseline and reinforcing fabrics, I recommend the blog post Vlieseline, interfacing, batting, and co. – tips, tricks, info or our numerous podcasts on the subject.
Where can I find the free pattern?
You can download the free pattern for the saddle cover here. The 1 cm seam allowance is already included. You get the pattern for the standard saddle and for the extra-wide saddle. The standard saddle also fits child saddles.
Click here for the free saddle cover pattern:
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Please understand that we cannot send our free patterns via email. Unfortunately, we cannot answer such inquiries.
Sewing a saddle cover: Accessories
Besides the fabric for the outside and inside, you will need the following:
- 1 m elastic cord* 3mm (flat elastic 5mm also works); tip: must fit through the eyelets
- 2 eyelets* (matching the elastic cord)
- Wonderdots* or a piece of interfacing so the eyelets don't rip out
- 1 cord stopper*
- Bodkin / threading needle*
- matching sewing thread*
- Fabric clips*
- Fabric scissors*
- Thread snips*
- Sewing machine
Instructions: Sewing a saddle cover
If you are using woven fabrics or other materials that might shrink, you should wash and iron them before sewing. This is usually not necessary for coated fabrics. Once you have everything ready, you can start.
Important: A 1 cm seam allowance is already included in the pattern.
Fabric cuts:
- 1x outer saddle cover
- 1x inner saddle cover
Additionally:
- 2 Wonderdots
- 1 m elastic cord
- 1 cord stopper
- 2 matching eyelets
When cutting out the pieces, transfer all necessary markings from the pattern onto the fabric.
Iron the Wonderdots onto the wrong side of the outer fabric at the marking.
When using oilcloth, place a dish towel or similar as protection over the fusible interfacing.
Attach the eyelets to the outer fabric.
I recommend the Vario Tool by Prym* for this. It makes punching holes and attaching eyelets very quick and convenient.
Place the outer fabric flush with the inner fabric, right sides together, and pin the edge well using fabric clips.
Sew around the saddle cover once using a straight stitch and a 1 cm seam allowance.
Leave a turning opening of 6-8 cm.
Turn the saddle cover right side out through the turning opening and shape the edge well.
You can clip the seam allowance a little bit up to the seam so that the fabric lays better around the curves.
Fold the seam allowances of the turning opening inward and pin the entire edge of the saddle cover with fabric clips.
Sew around the entire saddle cover close to the edge using a longer straight stitch, e.g., 3-4 mm. This will automatically close the turning opening.
Tip: Position the needle as far to the left as possible. This makes it easier to get past the eyelets.
Since the eyelets are positioned quite close to the edge, you should sew past them carefully.
If your presser foot is too wide, you can also use a zipper foot.
This is how it should look now.
Now topstitch around the saddle cover again at a distance of 2 cm from the seam.
You can mark the line using a fabric marker, or use the stitch plate on your sewing machine as a guide.
Position the needle as far to the right as possible so that you can better sew past the eyelets.
Pull the elastic cord through the created channel.
It is best to use a blunt tapestry needle or a bodkin for this.
Pull the elastic cord through the cord lock and secure it with a knot.
The saddle cover is finished and can now be fitted to the bike saddle.
Simply place the cover over the saddle and pull the elastic cord tight.
It is fixed in place by the cord lock.
Finished.
Conclusion
Sewing a bicycle saddle cover is very simple and can become a real eye-catcher. It is a great upcycling project and a wonderful gift. You can get creative and even plot small messages on it. If you would like to learn more about plotting, take a look at our blog posts on the topic of Plotting.
We wish you a safe ride at all times with your bike and your cool colorful saddle cover.
Happy simple sewing, Eve & Sabine
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