DIY Origami paper boat ornament

17 Dec

Inspired by a simple folded paper boat a DIY felt boat ornament makes an adorable addition to your Christmas tree and when used as a gift tag is a sweet way to send oceans of love to the people who keep your boat afloat.

This easy nautical felt boat pattern couldn’t be much simpler. While there isn’t much folding it does feature a wooden bamboo skewer, if you don’t happen to have one available you can easily use a twig or even a Q tip or lollipop stick. Don’t limit yourself to Christmas ornaments. These little felt boats look great in any color so you can easily match any theme or event. This free ship pattern also makes a great nautical felt craft for birthday decor or even an amazing DIY boat mobile.

To make each felt boat you will need:

8″ x 4″ felt scrap for each boat I used Antique White, Sparrow and Toffee *

4″ x 2″ white felt scrap for banner

Small scrap of red felt for heart shape Fire Engine Red

1 bamboo BBQ skewer cut to 3.5″

*matching thread

Embroidery thread to sew a hanger if making DIY felt boat as an ornament

DIY felt Boat Pattern Download

Cut:

2 felt boat bases and 1 felt sail from boat color

1 banner from white felt and 1 heart from red because it is so small it may be easier to free hand cut a heart.

Instructions to make a felt boat:

Sew sail piece to one side of one of the boat bases with a running stitch and matching thread.

Overcast stitch along the sides where marked on felt boat pattern leaving very top and bottom half of boat open.

Fold sides up and overcast stitch up the edges with matching thread. Repeat on second side.

Sew heart to one end of the banner with a running stitch. I like the look of contrasting thread but you can easily use matching thread if you prefer.

Poke skewer through the top of the boat.

Place a line of felt glue or hot glue along inside in the center, place skewer onto glue and allow to dry.

Fold the banner and overcast stitch around the outside with matching thread. Place over wood piece and sew along the folded banners edge creating a tunnel for the skewer add a touch of glue to end of skewer and place banner, allow to dry before sewing a loop to hang if desired.