driftwood sailboat Archives

How to Make Very Simple Driftwood Sailboat Ornaments for Christmas

These sweet little driftwood sailboat ornaments were really simple and quick to make – literally 5 minutes for each one. And these handmade ornaments are a highlight on the tree but you could also attach them to a wreath or set them into a lush piece of holiday garland sitting on your mantel.

Find your driftwood bottom pieces. Mine are from 4-5″ long. The cutest ones are the pieces that have a rounded bottom edge like a keel.

If you need driftwood pieces, we have driftwood in stock. 2-6″ pieces or 5-12″ pieces.

2. I used long think straight pieces for the mast but you could use a wooden dowel. Then just drill a hole in the main piece to accommodate your mast.

3. Before you glue the mast piece into the hole on the boat, you want to drill smaller holes in the top of the mast so you can string and hang the ornaments.

4. Attach the mast to the boat using a good glue. I’m using “Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue” which sets pretty quick and holds very well. I’m also using Peel and Stick Fabric Fuse which is one of the most useful tools to have in your crafting kit. I love this stuff. And of course, fishing filament to string the ornaments. You could also use a pretty ribbon.

5. Antique lace napkins or handkerchiefs work really well as the actual sail. I can usually find some vintage linens that work at thrift stores. I made sure to cut the corners that were already hemmed but you could actually use the Peel and Stick Fabric Fuse to turn under any edges. For the sale, I cut an uneven triangular shape (longer across the bottom) and I left the bottom edge unfinished.

6. Now just take your Peel and Stick Fabric Fuse and run a piece up the center of the sail and peel off the backing.

7. Lay your driftwood mast piece on the fuse glue and press it into the glue. Then attached the mast to your main boat piece using Aileene’s glue. Let it dry. Thread your fishing filament through the top hole on the mast and your done.

Want more ideas for driftwood ornaments? Check out our tutorial on making Driftwood Ornaments using candy or a holiday cloche (bell jar).

This simple tutorial will show you how to make a Driftwood Sailboat. It’s actually pretty simple and they make really cute and beachy accents to any room where you want to add a beach or natural weathered wood theme. They also look great as a juxtaposition to a sleek and modern room where you want to create some unexpected visual interest.

What you Need to Make Your Driftwood Sailboat:

Driftwood piece that is linear shaped. If you need driftwood pieces, we have driftwood in stock. 2-6″ pieces or 5-12″ pieces.
White Embroidery Thread
Embroidery Needle
Old Handkerchief
Singer’s “Fray No More”
Dowel or Stick of Driftwood
2 Small Eye Screws
Drill
Scissors
Wood Glue

1. Select your driftwood piece.

I glued together these two pieces as I thought the smaller looked great on the nose of the sailboat. You can use a dowel purchased from the hardware store like I did or you can use a driftwood stick. Since my dowel was too pale, I used Driftwood Weathering Wood Finish to get a weathered wood look on the dowel and I also used it to touch up any areas that may have broken off or where I drilled to keep the weathered wood look.

2. Create Your Driftwood Sailboat Mast.

Cut your dowel or driftwood stick to approximately 12″ although this will depend upon the length of your boat base. Use your own discretion as to what looks best. Then drill a hole deep enough in the center of your boat base to hold your mast.

3. Eye Screws.

Insert your eye screws in the boat base at the front and back. These will be used to hold the sail in place. On my first sailboat, I actually used glue instead and curled the sails before tacking them in place with glue but on the second sailboat I held the sails in place with the embroidery thread and eye screws.

4. Prepare Your Driftwood Sails.

Layout your sail and cut it to form two sails. I had discovered an old box filled with and assortment of antique lacy and printed handkerchiefs in the attic which inspired me to do this project. I just thought they would make such pretty sails and a great decorative focal point especially if I made three. Here you can see my dowel piece is still a little bit too long for this handkerchief so I either need to cut it shorter or choose a different handkerchief for the sale.

5. Create Your Sails.

Cut your handkerchief to form two sails.

6. Stop the Fray.

Once you cut your sail, you will want to use “Fray No More” by Singer to stop the edges from fraying. Just run a bit along each cut edge.

7. Attaching the Mast and Sails

Glue your mast in place.

Use your embroidery thread to attach the sail sections to the mast – first the top and then the bottom. Then attach the sail to the eye screws in the front and back if you want the sail to stay displayed. I also starched the handkerchief so they would be nice and stiff.

See how simple that was? Now enjoy your sailboat – heck, make a fleet of them!

Tag: driftwood sailboat

Make Driftwood Sailboat Ornaments