I recently created a mesh sailboat wreath for my sister B’s home in Charleston, S.C.
Like my sister-in-law L’s Ladybug Wreath Bridges Seasons, B and her husband had moved to downsize.
B also wanted a wreath that wasn’t too big, and could decorate her front door for multiple seasons.
Additionally, B had admired and coveted a summer wreath I created that hangs at the peak of my covered porch. The grapevine wreath is dominated by an 18-inch sailboat, supported by a large circumference base. Too big for B’s front door.
Living in Charleston on the water, and married to an experienced sailor, a nautical theme was agreed to. And to coordinate with B’s new porch furniture and pillows, aqua was chosen as the accent color. So off I went, in search of the perfect ribbon and a smaller sailboat.
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Beach Rules for Wreath Making
Like L, my sister outlined a few requests and needs for her new wreath. She also sent me several pictures of the new front door and porch, furniture and accent pillows.
- “Not too big” so as to not interfere with the front door’s window
- Coordinate with a “royal blue” door
- A wreath that could hang from spring through fall, or about nine months
When B and M moved, they traded a large home for a smaller one, just several streets away.
The real reason? Location, location, location.
A Seafaring Family
My brother-in-law grew up in Annapolis, Maryland. His father, brothers, uncle and cousins crewed a large sailboat, earning numerous, prestigious Chesapeake Bay racing titles. Both M’s father and grandfather had attended the Naval Academy. M himself, had been a captain in the Navy Reserves for many years.
At some point, M and his brother had even built their own Moths, a wooden, one-man sailboat. I’ve lost count of how many times M, or his brother, have won top honors in sailing competitions.
The new home sits on the water, with a dock for their motor boat. A number of years ago, B and M also lived on the water in historic Yorktown, Virginia. Over the years, they have acquired a small fleet of watercraft, including the Moth and kayaks.
Materials for DIY Mesh Wreath
- 16 inch wreath frame (Hobby Lobby)
- tan & white pipe cleaners (Michael’s)
- 12 inch tan & white mesh (Michael’s)
- sailboat print, wired ribbons, both 2 1/2 inches wide (Craft Online)
- navy & white palm pint & aqua ribbons 2 1/2 inches wide (Michael’s)
- navy & white geometric wired ribbon 2 1/2 inches wide (Pat Catan’s)
- tan cording (Michael’s)
- beach sign & sailboat (Hobby Lobby)
- nautical netting (Dollar Tree)
It was February when I went on the hunt for supplies. A trip to local craft stores and go-to favorite places didn’t have any nautical items. I really wanted to get the wreath to my sister by the end of March, and had to go online to find the special anchor ribbon.
So, I decided to checkout Hobby Lobby. It was opening day for a new store, a little closer to my home than the normal trek. Almost everything was on sale! It had been hard to find a sailboat elsewhere, let alone one that wasn’t too big or heavy. I lucked out at Hobby Lobby.
This was the picture I texted to B, along with one for the beach sign. Fortunately, both were half off that day.
After I got home, hubby removed the base from the bottom of the sailboat. Being married to an engineer always comes in handy!
Building a Sailboat Wreath
For more detailed, step-by-step instructions on creating a deco mesh wreath see, Bewitching DIY Halloween Wreath or Elf Christmas Wreath DIY.
Here’s the narrower 12-inch deco mesh, after it’s attached to a smaller, 16-inch wreath wire frame. That was to satisfy the “not too big” requirement.
After that, I added the ribbons at the 16 pipe cleaner pinch points; where the mesh is attached to the frame.
Next, I added the nautical netting in the middle of the sailboat wreath. The Beach Rules sign was attached at an angle.
The sailboat was the last embellishment added. It was secured in place using the pipe cleaners at several pinch points.
I tried to balance elements by putting the sign to the upper left of the sailboat wreath, and the boat to the lower center right.
Here’s the finished wreath hanging on a white interior door in my kitchen. This was before I decided to go back and add the narrow navy ribbon for a little more contrast and punch.
See what I mean? The sailboat wreath looked a little “washed out” to me. So I added that navy ribbon.
This was the photograph (minus the graphics) I nervously sent to my sister, after I finished. I didn’t just want her to like it, I was hoping she’d love it…
She confessed to being nervous too, and couldn’t wait to see it. So I forwarded the photos. To my great relief and delight, she seemed really excited.
Anchors Aweigh to Charleston
I couldn’t wait to see how the sailboat wreath actually looked hanging on B’s front door. She immediately texted me a number of pictures after it arrived in Charleston.
B and M had recently undertook a major project to create new steps, enlarge the small landing, add a porch roof and basically give the front entrance of their home a makeover.
I was really happy to see how the colors in the sailboat wreath looked with the front door and siding, as well as the aqua accent in the porch chairs and pillows.
It also was nice to see how the size worked out with the front door’s window.
Dropping Anchor
B isn’t the Queen of Theme (or even a princess or duchess LOL) like her “sistah” (her adopted Southern term for sister). She’s not matchy, matchy like me, and has a more eclectic style and taste. So, it was a bit of surprise to see the anchor doormat she purchased to compliment the ribbon in the Anchors Aweigh sailboat wreath.
The sailboat wreath has come into port and dropped anchor in Charleston. Bad puns all intended LOL!
2022 Update: Fast forward a few years, and the sea air had caused wire to to rust and stain some of the aqua ribbon. So I bought a new roll, cut it to size to replace the rusted ribbon on a visit to celebrate Thanksgiving. It was quick and easy to do — simply untwist the pipe cleaner, remove the stained and replace with the new ribbon.
We then used it as party decor to welcome guest to our sons’ joint Fun Love Boat Theme Engagement Party.
A couple of months later, I showed B the Smooth Sailing Wreath Flying Red, White and Blue Colors I made for my son’s NYC apartment.
She immediately texted, “I want one!” What? “You already have a sailboat wreath.” “But, I don’t have a patriotic red, white and blue one!”
I teased I could make her a haunted ship, Davy Jones locker vibe wreath for Halloween. To which she replied, “Yes!” Wait, really? I’m not holding her to it, but what fun that would be to create! If so, I’ve gotta find another sailboat…
Three’s a Charm
I’ve actually now made Sistah B two more wreaths for her waterfront home, including DIY Sunken Shipwreck Pirate Wreath.
And for early fall and Thanksgiving, there’s the super quick and easy DIY Festive Fall Grapevine Wreath.
Do you change your front door wreath with the seasons and holidays?
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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Deb, I love them all!!!! You did a beautiful job!!!!!
Thanks Marion, it was such fun creating something for my sistah.
A gorgeous blue on the door. Perfect setting for your sailboat wreath. You know, I will always read the directions on how to make your creations, then ask you to make one for me.
To live in Charleston….sigh…..Wonder when their traffic jam starts? Any chance your sister might know the name, make of the paint color? Have a wonderful week buzzing around.
I’ll check into the paint color. Charleston is just fabulous. My sistah lives on one of the barrier islands. So much fun to visit!
HI! The paint color is a Behr exterior color “Ocean Storm”. I love it!
Hope that doesn’t mean choppy waters for your sailboat wreath!
Love this wreath (and doormat)! I’m a sucker for anything nautical. Visiting from Merry Monday.
Thanks Victoria, that’s a nice compliment from a talented crafter like yourself! We are fortunate to have family who live on the water, with boats and invite us to visit!
What a cute, cute, nautical wreath! Love the addition of the sailboat. Of course, I just had to pin this to my “Nautical At Home” board. Hugs!
I had such fun making it. Not so “nautical at home” here in Pittsburgh LOL! Although I do use nautical and beach décor to decorate the covered porch during the summer.
This is one gorgeous wreath. And the mat is a nice touch.
Thanks so much! I was so happy my sister added the mat to tie-in with the anchor ribbon.
Just perfect for a nod to the nautical!
Now you know why I was so envious of your boat garland in that wondrous table setting. Don’t forget, you promised to think of me if you ever part with it!
That was quite an undertaking and it is beautiful! https://www.kreativk.net/succulent-inspired-paper-tea-light/
Thanks Sandra. The construction itself was not any more complicated than most deco mesh wreaths. It was all about finding that anchor, sign and sailboat. I love a shopping challenge! I’m delighted you like it enough to comment.
That wreath is gorgeous. I love that you added the boat and the weathered sign to give it more interest.
Thanks Erlene! I like the one I created for my sister, better than the original one she coveted at my house! It’s the beautiful aqua color accents.
This is really super cute!
Thanks Jenna. I just posted another sailboat wreath yesterday, in patriotic colors — Smooth Sailing Wreath
I love all things nautical and this wreath turned out so cute. Thank you for sharing at Wonderful Wednesday Blog.
Nice to “meet” you Amy, thanks for stopping by. It’s the first time I participated in WW.
My college mascot is the Buccaneers, so I am ALWAYS in the mood for nautical, even in Tennessee. It freaks me out that you thought of the Davy Jones Halloween concept. Hope you do it so I can love it!
I think my sister is serious about the wreath. Gotta find the right boat, ship. Definitely will post it if I do. A also take custom orders if you are interested.
That is a beautiful wreath! Pinned.
Thanks Joanne! It gives me great pleasure knowing it’s hanging on my sister’s front door.
The sailboat is lovely!And the combination of the colors is very summery
Thank you Peter! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.
Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #WWBlogHop this week. Visit me at https://www.marilynstreats.com on Tuesday evening to see your feature!
Marilyn, thanks so much! I was in Iceland and not able to respond earlier. It’s a lovely compliment to be picked.
You are welcome Debbee. I hope you had fun!!
Love it! It’s been so hot here, just looking at this brought the temp down a little. 🙂
Beautiful wreath Debbee….what an inspiration. the colors are perfect as I can appreciate since I live on the gulf of Mexico.
I envy you such a paradise setting Kari! Do you have a boat or sail?
I love the ribbon combinations on this wreath. I don’t know if you have an Old Time Pottery nearby, but they have a good ribbon selection if somebody doesn’t want to order online. I grew up across the river from Yorktown and my uncle worked at the shipyard. Small world.
Happy Mother’s Day
I wish we had an Old Time Pottery! It is a small world. I loved when my sistah lived in Yorktown. It was especially moving to watch fireworks on July 4th over the battlefield — because hubby’s ancestor Peacock was there at Cornwallis’ surrender.
Love them…I grew up on the Eastern Shore NS…this is so me….I shall attempt to make my own version
Oh, I hope you do! Finding a sailboat this time of year should be easy peasy! Let me know how it works out.
I LOVE this wreath soooooooo much! I love the anchor ribbon and the sailboat. The color combo is so lovely! When my son was baby, he had a nautical nursery, so for a while, I was so obsessed with sailboats and anchors.
Oh T’onna, I’ll be you created a wonderful nursery for your son! Maybe you could repurpose a sailboat or anchor decor into a seasonal wreath?
Your wreath turned out beautiful! Love the sailboat and sign.
Thanks Kippi. The best part is how much my sister and brother-in-law love it. Last year when a hurricane was approaching and they had to evacuate, it was the last thing my sister grabbed and put in the car with them.
This sailboat was the icing on the cake Debbee! So cute, I would have never thought to add a sailboat to a wreath. I sure could learn a lot about wreath making from you. I need to get back to my basement and give my newest one a new spin. I am feeling like it is blah next to your masterpiece!
This is such a gorgeous wreath! Thanks for sharing on Crafty Creators! I’ll be featuring the post on tomorrow’s party & sharing on FB & IG over the next several days. Pinned as well.
I’m delighted you enjoyed it Niki! We recently co-hosted a party at my sister and I refreshed some of the aqua ribbon where the wire had rusted due to the sea air. Then we rehung it on her front door as a welcome decoration for Fun Love Boat Theme Engagement Party.
Your nautical wreath looks absolutely gorgeous and looks great on your sister’s door!
Thanks so much Allyson! I was just sailing myself this weekend, celebrating my birthday in NYC with a gourmet brunch on a boat!