2. 12th scale or not 12th scale ?
This miniature nativity set is
7/8ths of an inch wide and
13/16ths of an inch tall.
(approx 2.3cm x 2.1cm )
It isn’t a copy of a full-size
nativity scene and so it isn’t
“to scale” – it is just small,
and hopefully the right size
for a dolls’ house.
3. In order to have a mechanism that works
reliably, it is important to make it out of a
suitable material.
My miniature version is designed to be
made from paper.
I usually use the smoothest 100gsm paper
that I can find, for work in this size but this
nativity is made from 90gsm inkjet paper
4. I used -
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a very sharp knife
a blunt knife
a pair of sharp scissors
a metal ruler
Evo-stick wood glue, and a
small paint brush
my Canon pixma home
printer
90 gsm inkjet paper
(because I wanted a bright
commercial-looking print finish)
water-based household
varnish (yes, I really did use
ordinary water-based household
clear varnish)
5. Step 1
Print the nativity
Varnish the print and let it dry thoroughly
Score crease lines
Fold crease lines
Cut out pieces
6. There are only four pieces to cut out
...and only one of them
needs folding.
I have marked the two score
lines (neatly) on the pdf.
Make the score lines before
you cut out the this piece.
I used a knife to cut the
long, straight edges neatly.
7. Make the two folds before...
...attempting to cut out
the tabs.
8. To cut the tabs...
Reverse fold the strip
and cut carefully along
the long edges of the
tabs.
Try to make the cuts as
straight and neat as
possible.
10. Then reverse the tabs along the fold lines.
These will then make the supports for the arch and figures
11. You should now have something that looks like this
when folded up
12. Very carefully glue the nativity together and then
let it dry, folded up, under a light weight
Make sure that the tabs
completely free of glue.
There will be a small
amount to be trimmed from
the front edge.
Wait until the glue is
completely dry before
cutting this away.
I glued the
main part,
at the back,
then I folded
the shorter
flap up and
glued that.
Doing this
makes sure
that the
Nativity will
shut
properly.
13. I found that it was easier to cut out the figures
and the archway with scissors
15. Now for the fun bit...
I found that it was
helpful to have
something like a
cocktail stick to support
the tabs from behind
when I glued the figures
into place.
17. The holy family are glued to the central tab and the arch
is glued to the two tabs at the sides.
In order to
make sure
that the
Nativity would
close, I shut it
and opened it,
very gently
and carefully,
while the glue
was still
damp.
18. The wise men are glued on to the arch
If I was
making this
full-size, I
would have
made
separate tabs
for the wise
men. In
miniature and
with this
paper,
however, the
Nativity was
more robust
with fewer
tabs.
Note
I have
rounded the
corners of
this particular
Nativity set.
19. When the glue is completely dry, it is
time to add gold paint
I like gold paint and so
I covered all the cut
edges in gold
20. Afterword I varnished the paper that I used and my glue stuck the varnished paper
together satisfactorily.
I would, however, advise testing your own glue and varnish combination
before making the nativity.