Build You Own Sailing Ship

Part of the Katie's Crafting Closet series hosted by Two River Theater 

DIY Sailing Ship

Ahoy Crafters! 

Like a far off distance wave, this project looks intimidating but trust your crafty captain when I tell you it is smooth sailing.  Here is a step by step guide to building your moving ship. Scroll to the bottom for a video tutorial, or click here for the YouTube link. 


Materials and Supplies

  • Cardboard Box
  • Wooden Skewer
  • Paper Straws
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Scissors
  • Ship Template

Music for Crafting

Here is the perfect song for this DIY project. 

Song: Yo Ho A Pirate's Life For Me
Artist: George Bruns, Xavier Atencio for the The Pirates of the Caribbean attraction

Step 1 Frame of Mind

Start by cutting the top and bottom of your box, leaving you with a cardboard frame. This is our base.


Cut triangles from your left over cardboard and hot glue them into the corners of the box to square up the frame. 

Step 2 Circle Gets the Square 

Draw and cut four circle. I traced a ribbon stool roughly 3 inch. The size of the circle does not have to be exact, but you do want all four circles to be the same size. 

Step 3 Cardboard Kebab

Take two of the circles and poke a hole in each. The hole should fit tightly on the wooden skewer and should be off center. Here is a quick drawing off what I mean by off center: 

Step 4 Line 'em Up

Poke a hole on both sides of the frame and slide the skewer in place. Separate your circles so that they are apart, but no wider than your ship, making sure to keep them off balance (as pictured). This will create our wave motion. Once you have them positioned, dab a little hot glue on side of each circle to keep it in place.

Step 5 A Leg to Stand On


Poke another set of holes on the top of your box, directly above each circle. Slide your straws in and glue your other two circles to the bottom of each straw.

Crop your straws so that they can not be seen behind your ship, and tape the ship into place.

Step 6 Ship Shape and Ready to Sail

Cut the waves from the template. Notice there are two different heights. Tape the tall waves to the frame behind the ship. Then tape the short ones to your cardboard frame in front of the ship. And guess what?? You are ready to hit the open seas! 

For more pirate themed inspiration, check out our Pirates of the Caribbean decor on the #TableSettingIsMyLife Esty

Tutorial Video

Katie's Crafting Closet at Two River Theater

A part of #SceneAtTwoRiver, Katie's Crafting Closet is a monthly series where I get to share crafting projects inspired by past productions at Two River Theater. Here is a family friendly craft inspired by the 2016 production of Shakespeare's Pericles.

Check out TRT's website for other staff member spotlights, artist features, workshops and more!


Comments

Popular Posts