You can’t make me stop using my scroll saw! I’M OBSESSED! I’m gonna show you how to make this Wooden Nativity Set, mkay?!
*This post contains affiliate links*
When I was a little girl we had a Wooden Nativity Puzzle for kids (similar to this) that I have so many memories of playing with! My dad made one for my girls a couple years ago, and it’s so fun to carry on that tradition with my own babes. I’ve been itching to make a nativity with my scroll saw, but I wanted it to be different. While I was in Prague, one of the shops had a little handmade nativity scene made from wood. It gave me the nudge I needed, and I decided to use that as inspiration to make my own using my scroll saw! (see my other Scroll Saw Projects HERE!)
Supplies for Handmade Wooden Nativity Set
- Slab of wood with a 1” thickness (I cut mine down to the dimensions of a piece of printer paper)
- Painters Tape
- Elmer’s Glue
- Nativity Scroll Saw Template
- Cheap-o paint brush
- Xacto Knife
- Scroll Saw (this is the one I have AND LOVE, but this one is also amazing and more affordable)
- 220 grit Sandpaper
Once your board is completely covered, flip it over and cut off the excess with an Xacto knife.
Apply some Elmer’s Glue and spread around with a paint brush until the whole surface is glossy. You don’t need a lot of glue, but just make sure it’s enough that the whole surface is coated after you’ve spread it around.
Print out my Nativity Scroll Saw Pattern and carefully place it over the wet glue, spreading it out with your hands to make sure it’s smooth and without any bubbles.
I let the glue dry for about an hour before I went at it with the scroll saw! It doesn’t matter what order you cut the pieces out, so just start cutting! Take you’re time with this, and make sure your blade is leveled before starting.
Mine came out pretty clean, but I still hit it with 220 grit sandpaper to soften the edges a bit. And that’s IT! I love the unfinished look, but you could paint or stain yours if you want! Customize it to your liking!
Be sure to check out our master list of DIY Handmade Gift Ideas!
Also! Check out these other Christmas-related tutorials from our archives!
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I see the pattern to make this, but was wondering if you sell a commercial license for the pattern, if I wanted to sell them.
Love this project! In fact, I tried it today but am having a tough time with smooth corners, esp. where it appears I need to pivot in one spot. I’m not sure if choosing cedar rather of pine is my problem (harder wood). My blades are small and tight in the saw, but they aren’t the reversed type. Might that be it? I’d love to make these for Christmas, but yours looks much better! Thanks again for sharing. … Jon
I’ve never scrolled on cedar, so I can’t speak to that. But a regular one was blade should be fine. When I get to a corner where I need to pivot, I just carefully/slowly turn it in-place until I’m ready to start going straight again. It takes some practice, but you can do it!
What is the size of your finished nativity. When I download and print out the pattern it seems distorted and off. Am I missing something?
Oh no… that’s so weird! I’m going to look into why that might be happening. I’m so sorry!
Do you have the template for the Nativity Scene?
I can’t find it.
There’s a link for the PDF right in this post!
Hi, great tutorial.Thanks for sharing. Can you please advise what type of wood this is and where to get it from.
Thanks
It’s just plain pine! I got mine at my local home improvement store!
Looking forward to cut for my grand children.
What size blade would you recommend for this project, I’m new to using a scroll saw so still learning. Thanks! Love your blog!
We use Olsen brand PGT with the double tooth reverse blade. Here a link!
(affiliate) >> http://amzn.to/2rCZu20
Very nice, my Girls made these for gifts for conformation leaders and mentors. THANKS for posting! Tip: using a spray adhesive like 3M’s super 77. Spray the back of the paper and let sit for 20 to 30 minutes. I have even let them sit overnight. Then apply the paper to the wood. It will peal off when done or use a bit of mineral spirits to wet the paper and loosen the glue (I always rub down with mineral spirits when done to remove any left over glue). Then you do not have to use tape and white glue. Also I tilted the table to the right a few degrees, play with the tilt so the wedge stop about in the middle of the wood. Since I tilted to the right I have to cut RIGHT to LEFT to have the wedge move towards the front.
That’s a great tip! There re lots of ways to affix the pattern to the wood, and I wanted to use one that was non-toxic as possible since I was doing it indoors with my toddler. Haha! I love your idea of tilting the table so the wood will wedge into itself. Brilliant!
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I just got my scroll saw and never used one before. I was looking around on line and found your site. I tried this pattern and my wife loved it. I decided to make one for all 3 of our adult kids too. They will be receiving this as a Christmas present on the 25th.
Now I will be moving on to more patterns.
That’s so exciting! I’ve got lots of scroll saw projects on my blog, so feel free to snoop around!
https://realitydaydream.com/12-creative-projects-using-your-scroll-saw/
This is absolutely a fabulous idea. I would love this as a gift giving or receiving. Beautiful job! Happy Holidays.
Awww so adorable
How do I get the free pattern for the nativity set? I can ‘t find it to print.
Hey Penny! The printable PDF for the nativity template is linked a couple times in the post. I would look on the “supply list”… it’s linked there for sure!