Simple driftwood sailing boats
A flotilla made from small pieces of driftwood and textured fabric adds nautical charm in a simple decoration from the shore
BLEACHED TONES OF sea-tossed driftwood, teamed with the pale stripes of textured fabric, are reminiscent of sun-filled days at the seaside. Fashioned into simple, yet charming, sailboats, they can be strung together to create nautical bunting for the home or grouped on a shelf to rekindle happy memories of summer holidays past.
To make a boat with a single sail, one thick and one thin piece of driftwood are selected. Both should be approximately the same length. A hole is drilled halfway into the centre point of the thicker piece. This should be large enough for the thinner stick to fit snuggly inside to form the mast. A small amount of wood glue can be added to secure the joint if needed. The sail is made from two identical triangles cut from nautical-inspired fabric, which should be a little shorter than the mast height. These are sandwiched together to trap the stick inside and fixed using fabric glue or by stitching.
More elaborate sails can be made in two parts using salvaged net curtain material or plain linen. The sails are made from two right-angled triangles, which are first marked out on the fabric with a pen and ruler, using the hull and mast as a guide. Extra fabric should be allowed on all sides so that each triangle can be hemmed before the sail is attached either side of the mast. The hem can be sewn or folded, pressed and stuck down with fabric glue. Each sail is then attached to the boat using a screwin metal hook and a length of strong cotton.
Nautical bunting can be made with the single-sail boats by inserting a small screw-in hook into the top of the mast. Each boat is then tied to a length of twine and strung beneath a shelf or across a wall. The addition of seasonal flower sprigs in tonal hues adds a pretty finishing touch.
“Gentle breath of yours my sails Must fill, or else my project fails, Which was to please”
William Shakespeare, The Tempest