Swaddled Baby in Manger

Bring a special spirit to holiday decor

with this dimensional representation of

Baby Jesus in the manger.

Manger structure is a one-cut shape,

with 'X' form ends and contrast overlays

and side slats with nail hole cutouts.

Baby form has hex-based "head" with tube body,

reinforcement body tube insert

(or use a short cut of wooden 5/8" dowel)

that is fabric wrapped and glued,

with points rosette halo.

A focal point by itself, it is also

scaled to pair with "Believe 3d Letter Blocks" 

and "Star on Stick" for a nativity ensemble as seen below.

Manger measures approx. 3.75" tall x 3" long x 2.5" deep. 

(This tutorial is under construction.

Return after 11-10-15 to view completed tutorial.)

ASSEMBLY:

1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A main manger trough shape

B side "slat" overlay accents

C 'X' end supports

D contrast underlay for nail show-thru

E end contrast accents

F straw strips

G baby head bulb

H body tube

I body tube insert for reinforcement

J halo rosette strips (2)

K halo gluing circles

Not shown: swaddling wrap template

2. Prepare the main trough shape by bending center "rectangle" perf lines forward/upward, all remaining perforation lines back.

Position and attach the side slat accent shapes on the panels as shown.

3. Prepare the 'X' side support legs by bending back on the perforations. NOTE: the perforation bend edge is the bottom edge of the legs that touches the table top when the manger is completed and displayed. 

Layer and attach the middle nail hole contrast layer and top contrast layers.

NOTE: separate contrast hex bolt shapes are included in file, for even more decorative options.

4. Assemble the main trough with legs on each end, inserting the backside of plain end of 'X' leg shape behind the outer side trough end panel. (Legs shape will fold in half with the decorated front legs panel final position being in front of the same side panel. See Step 6.)

5. Fold the trough shape into a "tray", with slat-decorated front and back panels folded outward and down to bring tabs into position at edges of inner side panel. Attach tabs to inner side panel.

6. Apply glue to exposed face of tabs and inner side panel to which they are attached  . . .

. . . then bend the X legs into final position and attach to the end/side panels.

7. Bend each of the "hay" strips in crinkle fashion. OPTIONAL: Fill trough and glue as layers. This is how the finished manger should look.

8. Prepare the baby head shape by bending bottom tabs forward, all other perforation lines and tabs back.

9. Form the head by bending each of the upper segment straight edges to overlap the adjacent tab perforation line, and glue in place. NOTE: these are tiny segments and even smaller tabs, but be as accurate as possible during assembly.

10. Fold the top octagon panel down into shape on top of the head and glue in place, matching the edges to the tiny pointed tab perf marks as closely as possible (though this might not seem very precise).

NOTE that the head shape is not a completed bulb form; back remains open for ease in finger access during assembly.

11. Bend and attach each of the lower segments to the adjacent wedge tabs in similar fashion.

12. Form the body tube, by first bending back on all perforation lines, then bringing the side straight edge to overlap the opposite long tab perf line. Adjust ends to align, then glue the edge to the tab.

13. Apply glue to the top "curved tab" end of the body tube, then insert into the bottom opening of the head shape . . . 

. . . and insert until the end edges touch the head side walls (not quite to the top segment perf lines as shown by pointing finger).

14. Prepare the body inner tube, by bending back on long perf lines, end cap and cap tab marks. Form into a tube and glue the side seam.

15. Bend the cap tabs perpendicular, then apply glue and insert them into the end of the tube. Hold until securely attached.

16. Appy glue, insert the reinforcing tube into the bottom of the head/body assembly, and push in until tube ends align. Or, if preferred . . . 

substitute a cut-to-size section of 5/8" wooden dowel in place of the reinforcing tube.

17. Prepare the swaddle wrap by using template shape to cut wrap from fabric. For this sample, printed burlap is used. Other, less bulky fabrics will also work, but the shape may require trimming slightly smaller, determined during wrapping and assembly.

18. Protect the fabric edges from excessive fraying by applying FrayCheck to raw edges.

19. Fold fabric shape as indicated by template perf line. Place babe body at center, in a position where the fabric fold when bent into place will reach the front top of head.

20. Wrap fold edges down to the sides of the body tube and glue dab in place. (Recommended quick grab glue such as Fabri-Tack or hot glue.)

21. Fold bottom corner up, trim point if necessary, and glue dab in place.

22. Wrap one side over body . . . 

. . . trim excess "point" away, and glue in place.

23. Wrap second side across and glue in place.

24. If desired, tiny glue dab top fold in place to top of head.

25. Prepare the halo rosette strips by accordion folding. Join strips by overlapping straight end of one strip to perf line of tab on second strip.

26. Form the strips into a ring, overlap and attach end and tab.

27. Condense the folds and force the straight (non-pointed) edge into the center and flatten ring into a rosette. Without allowing to spring free . . . 

. . . attach a center circle using quick grab glue such as hot glue. Press folds toward center before the glue hardens, to make sure folds are even all around.

28. Position and attach halo at top of head (recommended slightly back and angled).

Place (and attach) Babe into manger.