DIY Origami Sailboat Mobile

Photo: Suzanne Davis

What do you get when you combine a nesting instinct with a low-budget and the need to create a gender neutral nursery? Fun, easy projects like this origami sailboat mobile! I put it together from my couch in less than two hours, which included letting paint dry. Here's a quick how-to so you can make your own:

Photo: Suzanne Davis

Supplies :

1) Origami paper (easy to find at the craft store)

2) Clear/invisible beading thread

3) Hole punch

4) Stick

5) Spray paint, optional

6) Washi tape, optional

The most time consuming part is folding a bunch of origami sailboats. There are several different boats you can make, including ones that actually float, but for this project I went with the most classic shape.

Photo: Suzanne Davis

If you need to actually SEE someone do the folding, YouTube is a great resource. Otherwise, here are the basic instructions:

1) Start with the paper color-side down.

2) Fold the paper in three directions to make creases—first corner to corner, then in half both ways. Unfold it so it's flat again, still color-side down.

3) In the two "squares" that don't have a crease in the middle of them, fold the corners into the middle so they touch.

4) Fold in half along the corner-to-corner crease so the color-side now shows.

5) Push the right point up and toward the middle, inverting the crease, so the white "sail" shows. 6. Repeat on the other side so you have two "sails."

7) Fold one sail down, then up again so it's slightly shorter than the other sail. There's no right height, just whatever you like. Tuck the folded part behind the color part so you can't see it.

8) Fold up the bottom point of the boat to the edge of the colored part. If you want, use a piece of tape to secure it. If you don't want to use tape, put your sailboat under a heavy book or stack of books for a day, so it holds it's shape even when hanging up.

I made about 15 sailboats in various colors, but didn't end up using them all on the mobile.

Photo: Suzanne Davis

I found a stick in my yard and trimmed it down to the size I wanted. I gave it a quick coat of spray paint, but since I was going for a driftwood look I didn't aim for perfection.

Punch a hole in the top of each larger sail and tie a piece of invisible thread through it. Don't pull too tight or you will rip the paper. I cut my thread very long so when it came time to tie it to the stick I could adjust it and then trim it.

Photo: Suzanne Davis

Find the middle balance point on your stick by setting it on your finger and moving it back and forth until it balances. You can either tie one piece of invisible thread at that point or make a long loop on either side of the balance point.

Tie each sailboat at a length you like, staggering which side you're on so you maintain the balance. This is key: If you're hanging it over a bed or crib to make sure the baby can't pull it down on themselves. Use as many boats as you need to fill your stick. Then hang it up, and you're done!