Nativity Scenes – Sew Silently, Sew Silently

My Christmas revolves around the Nativity. The gifts that were given by the Wise Men at the manger are remembered in the gifts we give to our family and friends. And, The Gift, that wee babe lying in the manger, is truly our reason for the season.

And, so, I love Nativity Scenes and have enjoyed them in many ways throughout the years. If these are your traditions, too, I think you’ll enjoy this post. I have several handsewn Nativity Scenes to share with you today. Not from my own hands or cleverness, but from several talented designers across the blogging world!

Nativity Finger Puppets

Finger Puppets have always “sparked joy” in my life and these are sew perfect for the season. When my kids were little, I kept assorted finger puppets in my sewing space that they could play with while I was sewing. This set might be just the thing to keep near your work area or in your purse. In fact, I may need one! Click here for the Nativity Finger Puppets tutorial on the Little Bit Funky blog.

Felt Nativity Ornament

It’s kind of tough to find Nativity ornaments these days and more fun to make our own anyway! This simple little felt Nativity is made of lovely hand stitches sewn on bits of colorful felt. If you have a little one who is ready to sew by hand, this would be a fun project for the two of you. It would look sweet tied on a package, too! Click here for the Felt Nativity Ornament tutorial on the Wild Olive blog.

Applique Nativity Block

This pretty block could become a wall hanging or the centerpiece of a pillow. The post includes helpful technique links and a downloadable PDF pattern for you! It’s handstitched, but if you have a buttonhole stitch on your machine that would work, too.  Click here for the Applique Nativity Block tutorial on the Wee Folk Art blog.

Nativity Mug Rug

Where are my quilters? This one’s for you! No tutorial round-up is complete without a Mug Rug these days and this one is delightful. Pieced together from quilting cotton scraps, the fabric possibilities are endless and sew fun. This is a very reasonably priced ($1.99) Craftsy pattern you can download and start sewing today! Click here for the Nativity Mug Rug pattern from The Patchsmith.

Our Little Towns of Bethlehem

Before my hubby and I had children, we found a Nativity panel at a local fabric store that we purchased for our nieces and nephews. I cut, sewed and stuffed the pre-printed cloth figures, while hubby helped design a Bethlehem background wall hanging. There was a desert, a night sky with sparkly stars and fluffy, thick and thin pipe cleaner palm trees. We added squares of hook and loop tape to the back of each figure and the background. The figures could be easily moved about by little fingers as they acted out their own versions of the Nativity story. They were a definite hit under the tree that year!

When my son and daughter were little, I couldn’t find a cloth Nativity to sew for them. So I purchased an adorable wood Nativity set, like the one above, that they could “play” with throughout the Christmas season. They loved acting out the Story, moving the figures wherever they felt they should go and knowing that this was their set to endlessly enjoy. It was my way of helping the Everlasting Light of the season shine brightly in their hearts!

I had no idea how important these sets would be to the children who played with them. The cloth Nativity wall hangings became heirlooms that our great-nieces and great-nephews also enjoyed. And, it was just a few years ago that one of my kids asked about the wood Nativity they used to play with. You just never know do you? Sewing really is a superpower and our stitches create so much more than just a heartfelt gift. We are the makers of  precious memories and there is power in our sewing hands beyond what we will ever know.

May your Christmas be bright with joy and the wonders of love. And, may your Sewful Life be filled with family, friends and bolts and bolts of blessings!