Over the weekend, I created a nautical sailboat wreath while enjoying lovely summer weather out on the porch.
Boy, it sure felt good to get crafting again! Since Hand Painted, Wedding Champagne Flutes, I just haven’t had a moment to spare.
First, there was my niece’s late April wedding in Charleston, SC. That was immediately followed by my dad’s health crisis in Florida, hospice care, passing, and Celebration of Life services back here in Pittsburgh.
Shortly after, hubby and I headed for our nearly three-week bucket list trip to Provocative Peru.
My crafting plans and blog calendar pretty much came to a halt.
If you’d like to make your own nautical sailboat wreath, I’ve included step-by-step instructions below.
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Raise Anchor
After sharing Kitchen Coastal Decor for Summer last week, I was motivated to pull out my supplies to create a nautical sailboat wreath.
Christening the project, Raising Anchor, came from the leftover anchor ribbon from two other wreaths.
Have you ever made a mesh and ribbon wreath?
Three’s a Charm
Last spring, DIY Anchors Aweigh Sailboat Wreath, was made for sistah’s home in Charleston. It’s my most featured wreath post ever!
Shortly after, I created another version as a gift for my son’s apartment — Smooth Sailing Flying Red, White and Blue Colors.
Nautical Sailboat Wreath Supplies
So, I went back into my craft stash for the anchor ribbon leftover on the ten-yard roll. I’d also tucked away another lightweight, wooden sailboat.
Then, I made a quick trip out to Michaels for a wire wreath frame, pipe cleaners and a roll of deco mesh.
Another trip was necessary for two complimentary rolls of ribbon, when I decided against a red, white and blue color scheme. Instead, I wanted cool shades of aqua and bright blue to work with the more muted stripes in the sails of the wooden sailboat.
- 18″ wire wreath frame
- shades of blue pipe cleaner package
- 12″ blue mesh roll
- 2 1/2″ wired anchor print ribbon
- 2 1/2″ wired sheer aqua ribbon
- 1 1/2″ stripe grosgrain ribbon
- flat wooden sailboat
Step 1: Prep Wire Wreath Frame
Begin by equally spacing 18 pipe cleaners around the wireframe — nine each on the inner and outermost rings.
Twist each pipe cleaner three times at each point.
With three different shades of blue pipe cleaners, I was also careful to balance them around the frame.
The inner rings will slide around until the mesh is attached.
I’ve hung the prepped wreath frame on the door for illustrative purposes, so you can see the general spacing. When assembling a wreath, lay the frame on your lap, or on a work surface.
Oh, and don’t forget to make a hanger out of pipe cleaner. Place it on the backside of the middle rings.
Step 2: Attach Mesh
Now, you’re ready to attach the mesh to the frame. Start by taking the first six-inches of mesh and secure it with three twists of a pipe cleaner. It doesn’t matter if you start on the inner or outer ring. I like to use clear packing tape to keep the ends of the mesh from raveling.
For an 18-inch frame, I use mesh lengths of about nine-inches between pipe cleaners; or “pinch points.”
After attaching each segment, simply poof and shape.
Step 3: Cut, Trim & Attach Ribbon
Next, cut ribbon in desired lengths and trim the ends by making a “V” notch. For an 18-inch wreath form, I typically cut wired ribbon in 12-inch lengths.
Pinch each ribbon in the middle and then make a couple of twists of the pipe cleaner to secure. Also, alternately layer which of the aqua and anchor ribbons is on top and bottom.
I did something a little different with the striped ribbon, but let me get to back to that.
Step 4: Position & Attach Sailboat
Find where you attached the pipe cleaner hanger to determine the top of the nautical sailboat wreath. Then, lay the sailboat on top of the mesh and ribbons. You’ll want to shift the position and angle so that you can use pipe cleaner to attach the sailboat.
For the upper part of the sailboat, I simply wrapped and twisted the pipe cleaner around the mast.
At several other spots, I slipped pipe cleaner through these little rings to secure the sailboat.
Step 5: Ribbon Embellishment
Normally, I use three different patterns of wired ribbon at each pinch point. But, for the nautical sailboat wreath I only used two. Instead, I created little “bows” out of the third ribbon.
Only 1 1/2-inches wide, the striped grosgrain ribbon I loved lacked wire for shaping. So, I came up with an alternative approach and look.
So, I cut the striped ribbon in 15-inch lengths. Each ribbon was laid it out as shown above. Then I pinched it to create a small poof.
Pipe cleaner at pinch points, were twisted at the base of each poof to attach the ribbon to the nautical sailboat wreath.
Step 5: Twist, Tuck & Poof
Finishing touches include twisting and tucking remaining pipe cleaner ends to the backside of the wreath.
All that’s left to do is shape and adjust the ribbons.
Hoist the Sails!
Here’s the nautical sailboat wreath from several different angles.
I purposely positioned the boat a little to the right so it looked like it was sailing.
What do you think?
Takes me back to last September onboard the masted Windstar, while on a Small Ship Greek Island Cruise.
Have you ever owned a sailboat? Gone sailing?
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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.
I didn’t know you had an Etsy Shop! I’ve clicked you on favorites! The wreath is fabulous! love the combo of the striped ribbon with the sail boat! I got to go out on a sailboat down in Florida many years ago. It was a lot of fun!
I opened DebbeesBuzzBoutique last fall primarily to sell all the Alice in Wonderland decorations I have no place to store. Happily, I’ve sold several pieces and other seasonal decor. Thanks for marking it as a favorite!
Thanks for the great tutorial. I have used the mesh cut into pieces and tied onto a metal frame, but NOW I know how to make the poufs! Will have to look for great items to use in the center of wreathes like you do!
Kathy, I’ve always thought the “special sauce” for a great wreath design comes down to using one “wow” element (usually in the center) and a variety of ribbon patterns. Let me know how the poof works for you.
I love the ribbon your chose and the wreath is gorgeous.
Thanks Jenny. I enjoy styling a wreath by mixing and matching ribbons.
Thank you for sharing Debbie, I love this wreath the colors and sailboat is so beautiful. So happy for you and your hubby can enjoy your retirement. happy sailing:)
You’re most welcome Cheryl — delighted you like it! Actually, I made this wreath and two other similar ones several years ago (DIY Anchors Aweigh Sailboat Wreath). We also got to sail around the Galapagos Islands Cruise: Nature Wonderland. And this year, we have two pandemic rescheduled river cruise vacations in Holland and France. I’m truely blessed.