An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a vertically extending central recess (200) and first and second lobes (202 and 204) positioned on opposite sides of the central recess. The central recess (200) and the first and second lobes (202 and 204) are defined at least partially by an elongated center panel (210) of the protection device (14). The center panel (210) includes first and second longitudinal edges (250 and 252) that are spaced apart from each other and that extend along the length of opposite edge portions of the center panel. The center panel (210) also includes first and second end portions (260 and 280) that are spaced apart and that are positioned opposite each other along the length of the center panel. The center panel (210) is arranged in a loop, and a portion (270) of the first longitudinal edge (252) along the first end portion (260) is interconnected with a portion (290) of the second longitudinal edge (250) along the second end portion (280) of the panel to form a vertically extending seam (220) that helps define the central recess.