Let’s just get to it, because I am way too excited about this design! I have another intricate project that I really hope you’ll love as much as I do. So crack out the cardstock and hot glue—it’s time to make this 3D riverboat!
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My own experience with riverboats is limited to the vessels at the Disney parks, and a beautiful steamboat I saw in Portland. But they obviously leave quite the impression! There is just a nostalgic feel about them, and the overall design is incredibly charming. So, when I had the idea to create my own, it just stuck.
This is another one of those projects that takes some time to complete, but I promise that it’s totally worth the effort!
Follow along using the instructions below, or check out this tutorial video.
Supplies
- Cardstock
- Hot Glue
- A Lollipop Stick
- Bone Folder (optional)
- A Cutting Machine or X-ACTO knife
- My Free Template
How to Make It
1. Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of the 3D riverboat pieces.
Note: If you are using the SVG files that includes the score lines, don’t forget to set them as such in Cricut Design Space and attach them to their shapes before sending through your cutting machine. I used a lime green color to mark the score lines, so hopefully that helps! If you’re having trouble with the score lines, check out this video.
Assembling the Different Levels
2. Contrary to intuition, it’s actually best to start this project from the top and work your way down.
So, first assemble the top deck and crowning, rectangular structure.
Note: Two of the white deck pieces are nearly identical. Make sure that you use the one with the correct slits that correspond with the rectangular structure for this portion.
Once the top two pieces are connected, use the slits provided to adhere the top railing.
3. Next, assemble the two interior level structures: layering the white arching pieces on top of the grey form.
4. Start putting them all together, working your way down the boat levels. Attach the interior (grey and white) structure to the top of the next deck before attaching the exterior arch tabs.
Assembling the Base
5. To assemble the base, start by folding/attaching the side pieces to one of the bottom pieces.
Before attaching the top section, add the little tail fin pieces to both the top/inside edges at the back of the boat and inside the slits in the back piece. (This is where the water wheel is going to attach.) Complete the bottom section by gluing on the other grey, bottom piece to the top of the frame.
Attach the rest of your railings and main structure pieces to the bottom, white deck piece. Then, glue it to the base.
Assembling the Paddlewheel
6. This is probably the most time-consuming portion of this project, but it’s really fun to see it come together.
Simply fold the ends of each paddle, and attach them to the cross beams: going in the same direction each time. Repeat over and over again, all the way around. Then, do the same thing to attach each wheel section together in a row.
Once your wheel is complete, push the lollipop stick through the tail flaps and the center of the paddlewheel.
Final Embellishments
7. To make the smokestacks, just roll up the small grey pieces, and glue the gold “crown” embellishments to the top. Flare the gold pieces out a bit for effect. Then, attach the banner piece between the two smokestacks.
Fold in all the bottom tabs, and glue the smokestacks to the front of the top deck.
8. Make the little buntings by folding the long red strips accordion style, pulling the fan out, and then attaching the small red strip to the top with a couple dabs of hot glue.
Attach the buntings at intervals around the railings of the ship, and add any other details you’d like to complete your 3D steamboat!
I mean, it just doesn’t get more charming that this, does it?
And I am particularly proud of how the wheel turned out. While I was doing the design, I wasn’t exactly sure if it would look legit or not. But it turned out even better than I hoped!
I use Adobe Illustrator for all of my designs, and a Cricut Maker to bring my creations to life. For tips on creating fun paper cuts like this one, see the FAQ section on my website. Also, be sure to check out the other 3D freebies available on my blog!
Enjoy making your very own, 3D riverboat! I hope you have as much fun putting it together as I did. Be sure to share your stunning results with me on Instagram!
*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through my links to make a purchase, you are supporting this blog and the hard work that goes into providing free, quality designs.
Mandee is a professional graphic designer, amateur bird watcher, and rollercoaster enthusiast. She is a wife to hardworking high school teacher and mommy to three adorable little humans. She fell in love with graphic design when she started working on a comedy website with a guy she met her freshman year of college. Design wasn’t the only thing she fell in love with, and they were married a year and a half later. She created Designs By Miss Mandee to be a place where she could merge her passion for design with her lifelong love of crafting. 81 Comments on 3D Riverboat – Steamboat Cut File
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Cindy
February 11, 2021 at 6:45 am (3 years ago)OMGosh!!! Mandee that is phenomenal!!!!
Mandee
February 11, 2021 at 10:33 am (3 years ago)Aww, thank you so much Cindy!!
Tracy Gregoire
February 11, 2021 at 6:49 am (3 years ago)WOW! Outstanding! The fact that in addition to it being incredible, you made it a freebie!! Thanks so much it reminds me of my trip to Nashville! So many great memories
Mandee
February 11, 2021 at 10:33 am (3 years ago)Yay! I’m so glad you like it Tracy!! 😀
Patti Schafer
February 11, 2021 at 7:10 am (3 years ago)This is amazing Mandee
Mandee
February 11, 2021 at 10:34 am (3 years ago)Thank you so much Patti!!
Shirl
February 11, 2021 at 7:21 am (3 years ago)Amazing detail!!! Cannot wait to make!
Mandee
February 11, 2021 at 10:34 am (3 years ago)Have a great time! It’s a super fun one!!
TERRY SMITH
February 11, 2021 at 7:49 am (3 years ago)AH-MAZING!!!! I too have only experienced a rive boat at Disney World which has just been returned to the water after a refurb of both the ship and the track it rides on. I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of time you put into this fabulous creation. Thank you so much!
Mandee
February 11, 2021 at 10:36 am (3 years ago)I’m excited about that! I think the riverboat has been down on both of my most recent trips to Disneyland and Disney World. I hope to go on them again soon!!
D
February 11, 2021 at 8:37 am (3 years ago)This is amazing.
Mandee
February 11, 2021 at 10:36 am (3 years ago)You are too kind!
Ginette Legendre
February 11, 2021 at 8:52 am (3 years ago)WoW! This is awesome . Thank you so much for sharing that file with us. It’s great!
Mandee
February 11, 2021 at 10:36 am (3 years ago)I’m so glad you like it!! ❤️
Jamie
February 11, 2021 at 8:52 am (3 years ago)Your talent as a paper artist is incredible. Thank you for sharing these generous gifts! ❤
Mandee
February 11, 2021 at 10:37 am (3 years ago)Aww, you are too sweet! I’m so pleased you enjoy my work. 😊
Cindy M
February 11, 2021 at 9:09 am (3 years ago)This is such a cutie!!
Mandee
February 11, 2021 at 10:37 am (3 years ago)Thank you! ❤️
CHERYL Wood
February 11, 2021 at 9:19 am (3 years ago)Wow! This is amazing!
Mandee
February 11, 2021 at 10:38 am (3 years ago)Thanks so much Cheryl!! 😀
Susy
February 11, 2021 at 10:15 am (3 years ago)You are so clever and generous. Thank you.
Mandee
February 11, 2021 at 10:38 am (3 years ago)Thank you Susy! You are very sweet. 😊
Christine
February 11, 2021 at 10:55 am (3 years ago)Wow, das ist so wundervoll …vielen Dank
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:22 am (3 years ago)So glad you like it Christine!!
MAGDA
February 11, 2021 at 11:38 am (3 years ago)GRACIAS ,ESTA GENIAL
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:23 am (3 years ago)You’re very welcome! 😊
Darin Schlaggel
February 11, 2021 at 11:40 am (3 years ago)Oh my gosh!! Thank you so much! This is beautiful. I can’t wait to make it:)
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:23 am (3 years ago)You’re going to have a blast! 😀
Ali van den Berge
February 11, 2021 at 12:29 pm (3 years ago)Ohhhhwwwowoo how beautiful.. My friend from Chicago went there often to go out for the wekend… You are so talented. Thank you very much.
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:24 am (3 years ago)I Anytime my designs can strike a chord with people, I count that as a win! Glad you like it!!
Carla Hundley
February 11, 2021 at 2:18 pm (3 years ago)Oh this is amazing and
so charming! You are
so talented and thanks
for the free file.
Carla from Utah
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:24 am (3 years ago)You are too kind!! ❤️
Marie Andersson
February 11, 2021 at 2:20 pm (3 years ago)Anotjher lovely must do project! Going to cut it out tomorrow… so I have something when my bagalbum is finished.
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:24 am (3 years ago)Have fun!! 😀
Catherine
February 11, 2021 at 4:47 pm (3 years ago)Wow!! You are an incredible artist. I love your designs!
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:25 am (3 years ago)Aww, thank you so much Catherine!! ❤️
Gail
February 11, 2021 at 4:53 pm (3 years ago)Oh my Goodness lol Thank You so much 🙂 I love love love it 🙂 The first thing I thought of was Disneyland too. I can’t believe I’m so excited about this lol. I want to go to Disneyland again. ♥
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:25 am (3 years ago)You and me both!! Can’t wait to ride the real thing again someday.
Tammy
February 11, 2021 at 4:58 pm (3 years ago)This is so beautiful! .Thank you for sharing your talent
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:25 am (3 years ago)Thanks Tammy! I’m so pleased that you like it. 😊
Lester Davenport
February 11, 2021 at 5:07 pm (3 years ago)“Oh, my Tom Sawyer!” Mark Twain That’s Terrific! Thank you so much. Love this.
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:26 am (3 years ago)Thank you!! 😊
katherine leggett
February 11, 2021 at 11:40 pm (3 years ago)thank you the boat is beautiful and i will be trying to make one soon
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:26 am (3 years ago)Yay! Have so much fun making it!!
Helen J Roberts
February 12, 2021 at 6:41 am (3 years ago)I can only think of one thing to say: Absolutely Stunning!
Mandee
February 12, 2021 at 10:26 am (3 years ago)Aww, thank you Helen! 😊
Kathy
February 12, 2021 at 6:47 pm (3 years ago)This design is amazing, I have never seen one like it. You are an incredible artist and engineer. I am awestruck by your amazing 3D crafts, 3D paper crafts are my absolute favorite. Your instructions are amazing too, you not only design these marvels of design and engineering, but you build them and show us how it’s done! Thank you so much for sharing yet another fantastic design.
Mandee
February 15, 2021 at 1:24 pm (3 years ago)Thank you so much Kathy!! It’s always nice to see the outcome of a project like this. It was a challenge, but well worth it. So glad you continue to enjoy my projects!
Joyce
February 13, 2021 at 10:35 am (3 years ago)Hi,
I am enjoying putting this riverboat together, but as shown on your finished riverboat, I do not have cut pieces for the gold crowning on the top piece and also the small gold bits attached to the top of the railing supports just under the fan design. Any help with getting these pieces is appreciated. Thanks.
Mandee
February 15, 2021 at 1:27 pm (3 years ago)Hi Joyce! The small gold circles on the railings are just drawn in with a metallic marker. I probably should have mentioned that!
As for the gold “crown” pieces, those should show up layered on top of the grey column pieces in the file (located near the bottom right if you are using the SVG file).
Joyce
February 16, 2021 at 8:11 am (3 years ago)Thanks so much for your reply. And thanks for sharing this fantastic riverboat SVG.
You are a great paper artist!
Melissa
February 13, 2021 at 12:58 pm (3 years ago)This is absolutely amazing! I just love all of your files and I think I even have my Mom hooked 🙂 Thank you for all of your hard work and for sharing your creative mind. You are inspiring!
Mandee
February 15, 2021 at 1:27 pm (3 years ago)I love that! Glad you could rope your mom in too. There’s nothing like sharing a passion for crafting!! 😊
Carolyn Howe
February 13, 2021 at 7:14 pm (3 years ago)Just started cutting. Can’t wait to put it together! Thank you from r this free design!
Mandee
February 15, 2021 at 1:28 pm (3 years ago)Yay!! Have so much fun! 😊
Pam
February 16, 2021 at 12:32 pm (3 years ago)Thank you so much for this awesome project! I just finished and am in LOVE….
Mandee
February 17, 2021 at 10:18 am (3 years ago)Yay!! That makes me so happy to hear. 😄
Cindy
February 26, 2021 at 8:53 am (3 years ago)Beautiful design! Thank you so much for sharing your incredible work with us.
SusyC
February 26, 2021 at 9:13 am (3 years ago)You are absolutely amazing and so generous. Thank you.
Monique BRET
February 26, 2021 at 12:23 pm (3 years ago)Waouuuuuuuuuuu ! C’est génial !!!!!!! FORMIDABLE ! Merci beaucoup !
Mandee
March 1, 2021 at 10:01 am (3 years ago)You are very welcome!! 😊
JOYCE SELF
March 4, 2021 at 8:04 am (3 years ago)I live in Louisville, KY and we have a river boat, the Belle of Louisville. This will be awesome to make to represent Louisville. So happy to have found this pattern! Thanks!
Mandee
March 4, 2021 at 10:49 am (3 years ago)How awesome!! I’m glad I could make something that reflects your hometown. 😀
Bobbi
March 22, 2021 at 2:01 pm (3 years ago)The riverboat is stunning. Thank you so much.
judi
March 22, 2021 at 3:29 pm (3 years ago)Beautiful! thank you for sharing your talent and files with us.
Mandee
March 24, 2021 at 12:33 pm (3 years ago)You are very welcome Judi! I’m so glad you enjoy my work. 😊
Jen
March 22, 2021 at 7:45 pm (3 years ago)Amazing!! Thank you for sharing.
Vero FABRE
March 23, 2021 at 12:48 am (3 years ago)wahou realy amazing, i am not sure to use your sharing but thanks a lot
hugs from France
Tammy Joyce
March 24, 2021 at 5:19 am (3 years ago)This is the cutest thing I have seen in a while. Thank you so much for sharing your time and talent with us.
Mandee
March 24, 2021 at 12:35 pm (3 years ago)Aww, thanks for your kind words Tammy!!
Jennifer Antkowiak
July 29, 2021 at 6:03 am (2 years ago)This is so great! I have a family member who works on a riverboat and would love to make this for him. I’m having trouble with the download with scorelines. It shows up for me with all pieces on one sheet and when I try to upload it into Cricut Design Space I get the alert that the project’s too big. What do I need to do? Thanks so much!
Mandee
July 29, 2021 at 1:47 pm (2 years ago)Hi There! Hmm, this is definitely a project where Design Space will give you the warning “Wow! This is a big project. This may take a moment.” But it should still let you send it to cut once it sorts the pieces out.
Jennifer Antkowiak
July 29, 2021 at 8:04 pm (2 years ago)The issue I’m having is with all of the sections involving the thin red rectangles. There’s a big area of lines that I change from cut to score as you explain in your video (so helpful–thank you for that!), but then when I click to attach the score lines to the rectangle shape, the yellow “alert” triangle pops up at the top of the section telling me that section is now too large. When I do it anyway and click “make it”, I get the pop-up that tells me the project is not compatible, and I need to go back in and correct the sections. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong—sorry for the trouble, and I appreciate the help so much. Your files are awesome.
Jennifer Antkowiak
July 29, 2021 at 8:10 pm (2 years ago)I’m having the problem with trying to attach the score lines to the bunting pieces—that’s when I get the alert.
Jennifer Antkowiak
July 29, 2021 at 8:11 pm (2 years ago)I’m having the problem with trying to attach the score lines to the bunting pieces—that’s when I get the alert.
bndsully
July 30, 2021 at 2:57 pm (2 years ago)im having the same issue
Alexie Stinnett
October 28, 2021 at 6:03 am (2 years ago)I am working on this now. I am having fun putting it together, but I wish there was a video on this one. You have amazing designs and I can’t wait to do more. Thank you so much! Keep up the great work!
Mandee
October 28, 2021 at 12:10 pm (2 years ago)Glad you’re having fun! Yeah, I intended to make a video for this one, but it took so long to make that I was never able to find the time again to recreate it while still putting out new content. I will definitely try to find the time in the future.
Alexie Stinnett
October 29, 2021 at 4:47 am (2 years ago)Yeah it does take some time to make, but I am almost finished. I Love It! Again, Thank you for such great designs.
Jan Copeland
January 17, 2023 at 7:56 pm (11 months ago)Love the Riverboat!!!! It’s amazing…all the detail!! Would love to make this but can’t seem to download it. Would love to make this for my Brother that lives in New Orleans. His wife used to work on a Riverboat and passed away 5 years ago. I think he would like this to remember her by.
Mandee
January 18, 2023 at 11:48 am (11 months ago)What a sweet tribute. Yes, I definitely want you to be able to make this for him. Check out my FAQ page for detailed downloading instructions and troubleshooting tips.