*This post contains an affiliate link
Some projects are most satisfying to work on in batches. These paper boats are like that. They are quick and easy and you can make a bunch at once without much extra effort. Plus the finished group is very satisfying. You probably already have most of the materials you need and you could easily be hanging a respectable fleet by the end of the day, who doesn’t want that?
download the boat template
you will also need:
- heavy paper (I’m using water color paper) or light cardboard (like poster board)
- a bamboo skewer
- paper for the sail
- elmer’s glue
- gluestick
- embroidery thread or light string (like baker’s twine)
- buttons
- paints, brushes and/or collage materials
- exacto knife
- clothespins or paperclips for clamping
*Please read through all the steps before beginning.
*Also note I included some simple directions on the sail template for your convenience but the directions below include more details and options.
1. Cut out the boat and mast support templates and trace them onto light cardboard or a heavy weight paper. I’m Using water color paper (140 pound hot press is my favorite). Optional – paint both sides. I almost always paint a wash of water color on both sides of the boat and mast support.
2. Place the template back on the boat and poke your pencil through where the score lines intersect. Mark with a dot. Remove the template and draw on the score lines. Draw the score lines on the mast support too and mark an X on the center of the top section.
3. Use the back of an x-acto knife to score the lines on the boat and mast support.
4. Gently fold the boat and mast support at the score lines.
5. Add glue to the last section of the mast support, fold it into a triangle and glue the top section over it.
6. Clamp with paper clip or clothespins while it dries.
7. While your mast support dries paint or collage or draw on your boat. I did all three. I used a wash of watercolor, some pencil lines and a little collage. If you’re doing lots of collage I recommend using nori paste instead of blue stick . It is awesome. You can find it here. * FYI – this is an affiliate link – meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through the link.
8. Apply glue to the bow as indicated on the template.
9. Fold the boat together at the front and clamp with clothespins or paper clips while the glue dries. Alternatively – you can skip the glue, bring the front sides together and stitch on the sewing machine close to the edge.
10. Fold the center back ( A on the template) and apply glue to the top.
11. Bend up tab B – covering the top of tab A and matching the top edges. Apply glue and bend up tab C covering the top of tab B and matching the top edges. Clamp and let dry. Alternatively – skip the glue and attach the three layers with a stitch and a button (step 16 below).
