DIY Driftwood Sailboats

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I’ve been wanting to make driftwood sailboats for quite some time and finally I did it this week …  three of them. This craft project has been formulating in my mind for awhile.  I’ve combined bits and pieces of ideas from other driftwood sailboats I’ve seen in magazines, Pinterest, and at some retail stores to make these.  The two steps during the process that took the most time and tested my patience were working with tiny eyelets and eyelet screws.  Do not skip these steps because they gave the sailboats a clean finish.  Last thing, there will be no sewing involve in this project.

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The driftwood I used were collected during our recent family trip to the beach at Seabrook, Washington, click here to read more.

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Supplies

1.    fabric pieces, slightly heavy weight fabric will hold its shape best for the sails
2.    twine
3.    wood glue
4.    stop fabric fraying liquid
5.    glue gun & glue sticks
6.    paper to make sail patterns
7.    eyelet screws, 15/32″
8.    eyelet tools & 1/8″ eyelets
9.    scissors
10.  two driftwood pieces for the boat and a mast

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Instructions

step 1.   Drill a hole in the center of the driftwood large enough to accommodate a long stick for the mast.  Squeeze wood glue into the hole and push the stick in it and let dry.

Step 2.   Use a pencil to draw the pattern on paper for the two sails (triangle shape with a right angle – see image below).  Pin the pattern onto the fabric and cut it out.  Apply fabric fraying liquid sparingly along the fabric edges to prevent it from fraying over time.

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Step 3.   Add eyelets to the corners of the two fabric sails.  Cut a tiny slit close to the corner, push the back side of the eyelet through, turn the fabric over with the back of the eyelet facing up.  To secure the eyelet to the fabric, place the setter over the unfinished end of the eyelet and firmly strike the top of the setter with the hammer two to three times to spread it open.  Remove the setter and firmly strike the eyelet directly two to three times with the hammer to flatten the sides down around the fabric  {optional/not required: use an eyelet finisher on the back of the eyelet to give it a smooth professional finish}.

The instructions to apply eyelets will vary depending on the tools used.  The end result will be similar and it will also help to prevent the fabric from tearing and to keep it’s shape.

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The two finished sails with eyelets attached to the corners.

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Step 4.   Attach sails to the mast.  Near the top of the wooden stick, leaving enough room to glue a flag on later, screw the eyelet screw into the wood {use a pair of pliers to screw it into the wood if needed} .  Cut a piece of twine about 3-4 inches long, string it through the eyelet on the large sail and the eyelet screw, tie a knot to secure them together.  Repeat the process for the second eyelet screw at the bottom of the wooden stick and the third eyelet screw on the large driftwood near the end.

Attach the other smaller sail to the opposite side of the wooden stick slightly lower down from the other sail {see image below}.  Snip off all the extra loose twine from the knots, leaving about a quarter of an inch, dab a little bit of fabric fraying liquid to the ends of twine to prevent unraveling.

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The finished sails should spread out nicely across the driftwood.

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Step 5.   Add decorative flag banner.  Cut 5-7 little triangle flag pieces.  Cut twine long enough to go  from the top of the mast down to the eyelet screw at the end of the large driftwood piece.  Be sure to add about two to four inches of extra twine.

On a flat surface, lay a fabric triangle piece down and line twine along the top edge of the flag, apply hot glue, and roll the top edge of the fabric around twine and hot glue to secure together. Repeat the steps with the rest of the flag banner pieces.

Step 6.  Attach the flag banner to the sailboat.  Thread one end of the flag banner through the top eyelet screw on the mast and make a simple knot on the twine to keep it from slipping out of the eyelet screw hole.  Thread the other end through the eyelet screw on the driftwood and make a simple knot on the twine to secure it in place.

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Driftwood sailboat #1
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Step 7.  Cut a triangle piece of fabric for the flag and attach it to the top of the mast with hot glue.

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Driftwood sailboat #2

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Driftwood sailboat #3

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 I couldn’t  decide which one I like the most.

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 Hannah was assisting me.

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A great summer craft project!

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posted by Kay