What can we do with these block patterns?
Let’s build a quilt with the free printable PDF Nativity Blocks Download.
WAIT! I’ve decided to offer the Embroidery files FREE for these blocks also.
What a DEAL!
Every few days I’ll highlight another of the block plans. But you can see them ALL, here in my Nativity Block Blog.
Consider Having a Title or not: I like “Silent Night” as well as “Il est Né, le Divin Enfant” You may have an even better idea.
The download for the Free Nativity Quilt Tutorial (designed for the “One-piece” Joyful Birth Quilt) has patterns for the palm fronds and holly that you can use if you want. I pasted “pieces” of that tutorial on the mock-ups for the blocks. I didn’t get carried away with it, because I’ll actually put them on when it’s on my “design wall.” I’m not even certain about the color for the sashing, but I do want it to look Christmasy. I have some fabric that looks like sand, and/or rocks and/or palms – Can’t decide!
All the time I was drawing these patterns I spent a lot of time in the Scriptures. I wanted to get everything right and to express the joy of this story! I hope yoou’ll feel that way too.
I have other suggestions for using them, too! Read on!
You might be able to tell I was trying to make these Nativity drawings appealing to children. That’s another reason why I’ve described some of my thoughts and feelings about each block. Of course, I don’t expect you to add all that “script” to the quilt, but I wanted you to understand where I was coming from.
Here’s a totally “faked” composite. Even all the blocks are still edited differently! I’d love to see what you do with it!
So what about other ideas now!
Something we did for our family was unroll the full pantograph down the hall and let the kids color the pictures. For these “blocks” I suggest something similar. Let your children color these block pictures. Since they’re free, you can print as many of the blocks as you want. You could even use them for a Sunday School class.
Something else I started was to applique and embroider them. Here are a couple of examples–one very involved and the other “not so much!”
Here are “How-To” steps for the embroidery.
I don’t have pictures of kids coloring the blocks and will try to get some!! But HOW ABOUT paint!
On this shephered I used Tsukineko ink and applied it with their little Fantastix coloring sticks. The sticks are like empty magic markers. They suck up the ink and don’t let it go (or run). It just goes where you want it to go. I find it seldom goes past the stitching lines. (See the example above.)
I also like to use Shiva Paintstiks. I NEVER apply the paint like a crayon! I smear it on a paper plate(palette) and lightly brush it onto the quilt with a stiff brush.
