A Nativity Set for Damian

Most nativity sets are not very child-friendly, easily broken or damaged. And I suppose there are some people who might consider it irreverent to allow a child to play with a nativity set. But I have a 3-year-old grandson and I want him to experience the joy and reality of salvation, including Jesus' willingness to be born in a stable for you and me. So, when I saw this Nativity Scene to sew and stuff at Fabricland a couple of years ago, I decided to purchase it for my grandson. I have to admit that I don't always get things done as soon as I would like to, but this year I decided to haul this out and stitch it up. 

I made it totally kid-friendly and as indestructible as possible. The instructions said to put cardboard in the base of the figures, but you just never know when there might be a flood and the cardboard would end up mushy (especially with a 3-year-old in the house, or even a sometimes klutzy grandma). So I used plastic canvas instead. The stable background is lined with 2 layers of polyester fleece with plastic canvas sandwiched in between. This was made according to the instructions, however, if I had to do it over again, I would use polyester fibrefil batting instead of the fleece. Fleece stretches too much. Besides, no one said that the stable was insulated. :-) 

If you're interested in making a set like this, it's the Nativity Scene, one of the "Keepsake Crafts," VIP by Cranston, copyright 2006. I've seen it on ebay, but it's a lot more expensive than what I paid at Fabricland. 

I also have a couple more Christmas projects in my fabric stash: another one for Damian,

a soft quilted book on the Nativity. I just want to point something out that is a pet peeve of mine. Note that this panel says, "He was born in a manger." No, Mary did not climb into the manger to give birth. He was born in a stable (or some version thereof appropriate to the place and time) and she "wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger." Luke 2:7. End of rant.
The other is a full panel of the nativity scene to use as a wall hanging.

These last two are not likely to get stitched up in time for this Christmas, however. Too many other projects on the go. Perhaps next year. 

Wishing everyone the peace and joy that comes from serving the Saviour who was born on that long ago night in Bethlehem. Merry Christmas.