I made a sailboat last week.
Out of a branch and a twig,
part of my vintage ticking fabric,
and a couple of eyelet screws.
Quick and easy and sort of cute, if I may say so myself!
In a nutshell:
- I sawed a dead branch from our brush pile into a section roughly 16" long. If there's one thing I have an abundance of around here, it's dead tree branches
- I cut a twig to about 17" long
- Drilled a hole in the middle of the larger branch section
- Hot glued the twig into the hole
- Cut my fabric into a scalene triangle (I'll save you from running to find your geometry books - it's three different sized sides)
- Screwed the 2 eyelet screws into each end of the branch
- Sewed one end of the the triangles onto the eyelet screws
- Sewed the opposite bottom of the triangles onto the mast (aka twig in the middle)
- Sewed the top of the triangles to the top of the twig
- Then I cut out a double sided triangle to use as a top flag and hot glued it to the top
- Done
Took about 15 minutes. Most of the time was me trying to get the stupid needle threaded.
I really need to get some new eyes. Or wear my glasses.
Now, I'm a long way from the beach, so I used tree branches instead of driftwood, but I think it turned out OK.
You gotta work with what you've got! And here in the Midwest, we've got branches.
You can see how I've used my sailboat in different areas of my home over the years:
A Happy Little Sunflower Vignette
Summer Home Tour Eclectic Style
Easy American Flag Craft
Lisa D.
Oh my gosh! This is adorable. I'm gonna have to make one of these to go with the other one I made. I made one using a piece of drift wood I found on a beach trip. Cant seem to find another piece but the branch looks perfect!! Check mine out here http://lifeawayfromtheofficechair.blogspot.com/2012/08/set-sail.html
Thanks for sharing.
Lisa
Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures
Love this. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Ashley C.
This is so cute - I had to share it with my IG followers, as I will definitely be making an inspired version of this for my son's new nautical-inspired big boy room! Thank you!
Courtney Sanchez
You did an amazing job with this craft!! I just want to run out and find to some wood and make one myself. New follower from Crafts by Courtney!! So clever!!
turnberry's mom
Thanks for sharing! I noticed this sailboat in one of your posts . Very cute.
Ginger
Loved this tutorial,living in calif. This sail boat has that right touch of rustic i love.
Wonderful tutorial.
elizabeth
I've made some from driftwood, but I'm loving that you used what was available!
classic • casual • home
One of my favorite fabrics. Following you!
Debra @ Common Ground
Hi Pam, wow, you're so creative! just love this, and I REALLY love old ticking! thanks for sharing the fun and inspiration here at VIF!!
xo Debra
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here
How very cute..I want one!
simone
Very cute. I'm working on making a huge sailboat as soon as my DH will help me drill. Cheers
funkytime
looks beautiful, and so easy!
⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜
How very cute and clever. I love this idea Pam. You did good!
Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys
I love it! I think I need to snag more branches from my neighbors. 🙂 I think making these can become addictive.
Alison @ The Polohouse
You are so clever and I like your even better!
Adorable .... a perfect symbol of summer.
Nice to meet you, Pam!
Your newest follower.
xox
Alison
Olive Cooper
Love the sails! Hey, I have the plant impossible gardens down pat.