Embroidered Nativity Wall Hanging

Celebrate the reason for the season with this creative Nativity Wall Hanging.

With squares featuring cute characters portraying each role in the Christmas Pageant and pockets that can be filled with colorful greenery, floral stems, and festive berries, this little wall hanging is a delight for all ages.

Make one for yourself and another for a friend, family member, or for your church. Brighten the season for everyone you know.

The finished size for this project is 29 1/2 inches wide by approximately 21 inches high.

Supplies & Materials:

Supplies needed:

1/2 yard light weight canvas
1/2 yard print quilter's cotton
15 inch x 20 inch piece of solid quilter's cotton
30 1/2 inch x 28 inch piece of polyester felt (for the back)
Medium weight cut-away stabilizer
Temporary spray adhesive
Air-erase pen
28 inch curtain rod
Floral water tubes
Needle and thread for some hand sewing
Fresh or artificial pine sprigs
Decorative floral stems

The design used in this tutorial is:

A First Noel Design Pack - Lg, Md, or Sm

Gather Materials:

Preparing the Squares

Create a paper template of each design to be embroidered by printing it at full size using embroidery software. Trim around each design for easy placement.

For the bottom middle square, draw a 10 1/2 inch by 10 1/2 inch square on the solid quilter's cotton using an air-erase marker.

Find the center by measuring and marking each side and dividing by two. Then, draw lines connecting the marks. Where the lines meet is the exact center.

Poke a hole in the center of the design and align it with the center point of the square. Make sure that the design fits well within the shape. There should be at least one inch of space between the design and the edge of the square.

Embroidered square depicting Nativity scene with Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, two sheep, donkey, a star, and the word "JOY" stitched vertically on blue fabric.

Start Embroidering:

Hoop the fabric with cut-away stabilizer that has been sprayed with adhesive. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design. Align the needle over the center point on the fabric and embroider the design.

After the design has been embroidered, unhoop the fabric and cut out the shape. Note: Quilter's cotton is quite thin, so when it is a light-colored solid, we don't trim away the stabilizer. (This is a way to avoid an unsightly "ring" that could show through around the design.)

Embroidery hoop holding white fabric with blue grid lines printed on it, placed on a wooden surface, centered and taut.

Cut three 10 1/2 inch by 10 1/2 inch squares from the print quilter's cotton.

For the top middle square, place the star design 3 1/2 inches from the top edge of the fabric to the center of the design. Place the angel design 3 1/2 inches from the bottom edge of the fabric to the center of the design. Both designs are centered horizontally (from side to side) on the square.

Two embroidered angels with blue wings and stars, holding hands on fabric with blue pebbled pattern, alongside a star design above them. A hand holds a blue pen near the fabric.

Poke a hole in the center of the templates and mark the fabric. Also, mark the horizontal and vertical axis points.

Remove the templates and draw lines connecting the axis points. These lines will be used for hooping.

A hand holds a blue fabric marker drawing a vertical line on textured light blue fabric, using a metal Westcott ruler for guidance on a wooden table.

Hoop the fabric with cut-away stabilizer that has been sprayed with adhesive. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric.

Rectangular embroidery hoop holding light blue fabric with small circular pattern and marked blue cross lines, on a wooden surface.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the first design. Align the needle over the center point on the fabric and embroider the design. After the design has finished, re-hoop the fabric over the other center point, load the second design, align the needle over the center point, and embroider the design.

After you have embroidered both designs, you can trim away the excess stabilizer.

Close-up of a sewing machine embroidering a gold star onto blue fabric with small circular patterns, secured in an embroidery hoop, with partial background objects.

To prepare the top right and left squares, cut two 10 1/2 inch by 10 1/2 inch squares from the light weight canvas. On one of the squares, place the shepherd design 3 inches from the right edge of the fabric to the center of the design. On the other square, place the wise men design 3 1/2 inches from the left edge of the fabric to the center of the design. The designs are centered vertically in the square (from top to bottom). Mark the centers and axis points.

Remove the templates and draw lines as you did before. Hoop the fabric with cut-away stabilizer, embroider the designs and trim the stabilizer.

Two blue fabric squares on a wooden table, each with a printed Nativity scene image pinned or laid on top; a hand and pen point to right fabric.

Preparing the Pockets

To create the larger pockets for the lower right and left squares, mark two 7 1/2 inch by 7 1/2 inch squares on the lightweight canvas. Find and mark the center of the sides by measuring and dividing by two. Draw a line between the top marks (the fabric will be folded on this line).

Blue fabric marked with straight lines in pen, divided into three sections by horizontal lines, with a vertical rectangle; a metal ruler and pen are visible.

Measure and mark a 1/4 inch seam allowance around the sides and bottom edges of the lower half of the square. Also, mark 2 1/4 inches in from each side along the middle line and along the bottom (starting from the inside of the seam allowance). Draw vertical lines connecting these marks. These lines will be used as guides for sewing the seams that will separate the pockets.

Blue pen sketch on light blue fabric shows a simple house outline with pitched roof and three vertical window sections below it.

Place the star design in the center of the middle pocket and mark the center and axis points. Remove the template and draw lines connecting the axis points. Hoop the fabric with cut-away stabilizer. Embroider the design.

Hand drawing guidelines on blue fabric with water erasable pen around a printed square showing a gold star with small side triangles for embroidery.

When the design has finished embroidering, cut out the shape.

Repeat this for both pockets.

Blue fabric with a yellow embroidered star in the center of a rectangular grid outline, being cut with orange-handled scissors on a wooden surface.

To create the small pockets for the upper right and left squares, mark two 2 1/2 inch x 7 1/2 inch squares on the light weight canvas. Find and mark the center of the sides by measuring and dividing by two. Draw a line between the top marks (the fabric will be folded on this line).

Hand holding blue fabric marker drawing two rectangles stacked vertically on light blue fabric on a wooden surface with a metal ruler partially visible.

Next, measure and mark a 1/4 inch seam allowance around the sides and bottom edges of the lower half of the square Place the star design in the center of the lower half and mark the center and axis points. Remove the template and draw lines connecting the axis points.

Hoop the fabric with cut-away stabilizer. Embroider the design. Repeat for the second pocket.

Hand drawing a star pattern on blue fabric with a pen, using a paper stencil as a guide. The fabric is on a wooden surface.

To assemble the pockets, fold the fabric along the centerline with the right sides together. Pin in place.

Blue fabric rectangle with a small white square patch featuring gold stars stitched in the center, pinned with black and green pins, hand holding edge.

Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the left and right sides only.

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching blue fabric with a green pin securing fabric layers, showing the presser foot and needle area.

Turn the pockets right side out and sew a 1/8 inch seam along the folded edge.

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching blue fabric with yellow embroidered stars, including a large star with a tail, under the machine's needle.

Turn the bottom edges of the fabric in 1/4 inch and press.

Blue fabric with a simple embroidered yellow star and rays, marked with grid lines, being pressed with a silver iron on an ironing board.

To place the large pockets on the lower right and left squares, position them 1 1/4 inch from the bottom of the square to the bottom of the pocket. Also, measure equal distances from the side of the fabric to the sides of the pocket. Pin in place.

Light blue fabric with yellow embroidered star in the center, pinned in place on a textured white cloth. A hand is visible holding the fabric on the right.

Sew a 1/8 inch top-stitch along the sides and the bottom.

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching a gold star with rays on blue fabric, pinned with black and yellow-headed pins on a light blue textured surface.

Then, stitch along the two lines separating the sections of the pockets.

Close-up of a sewing machine embroidering a gold star surrounded by rays on light blue fabric, with a darker blue stabilizer underneath the hoop.

To place the small pockets on the upper right and left squares, position them 1 1/4 inch from the bottom of the squares to the bottom of the pocket. Also, measure equal distances from the side of the pocket to the edge of the design and from the side of the pocket and the edge of the square. Pin in place. Sew a 1/8 inch topstitch along the sides and the bottom of the pocket.

Two light blue fabric panels with embroidered Nativity characters and a star on small fabric flaps, placed on a wooden table.

Assembling the Wall Hanging

First, we will assemble the top squares. Align the top left square on top of the top middle square with the right sides together. Pin along the left side and sew a 1/4 inch seam along the left side.

Partially folded light blue fabric with embroidered angel holding a star, a separate embroidered star piece pinned on fabric; hand holding edge.

Align the top right square on top of the top middle square, right sides together, and pin along the right side. Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the right side. Press the seams flat on the back of the squares.

Hand holding blue fabric partially lifted to reveal embroidery of shepherds, sheep, an angel, gold stars, and a baby in a crib on white fabric beneath.

To assemble the bottom squares, align the bottom left square on top of the bottom middle square, right sides together, and pin along the left side. Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the left side.

Hand-embroidered Nativity scene wall hanging partially folded to show blue backing fabric with a star, featuring a lamb, star, and "JOY" text on white fabric.

Align the right bottom square on top of the bottom middle square and pin along the right side. Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the right side. Press the seams.

Partially completed embroidered nativity scene with a shepherd in white and brown, set in a blue sky with stars, fabric folded over on a wood table.

Align the top squares on top of the bottom squares and pin along the top edge. Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the top edge.

Partly folded light blue fabric panel with embroidered Nativity scene showing Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in a square frame, with a bright star above.

To create the top edge of the hanger, cut a 30 1/4 inch by 7 1/2 inch piece of the light weight canvas. Align the piece with the top edge of the squares and pin in place along the top edge. Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the top edge. Press the seams.

Light blue fabric with partially completed embroidery squares depicting Nativity scenes, including Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, sheep, and three wise men. The fabric is pinned and laid out on a wooden table.

Next, to add the back fabric, lay the assembled front on top of the felt and cut out the shape. Lay the front on top of the felt with the right sides together. Pin in place. Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the sides and top only -- leave the bottom open for turning.

Partially completed quilt or wall hanging with embroidered and appliqué Nativity scenes, including baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and animals on blue and white fabric.

Turn the open edges in 1/4 inch and press. Top stitch a 1/4 inch seam around the entire outer edge.

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching blue fabric with a partial golden star design, showing presser foot and needle in motion on patterned and plain blue cloth.

Next, fold the top edge over 3 1/2 inches so that the top edge is about 1/2 inch down from the top square/top section seam. Pin in place.

Close-up of hands pinning fabric layers of a blue embroidered textile featuring small colorful figures and a gold star, on a wooden surface.

Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the top square/top section seam.

Close-up of a sewing machine needle and presser foot stitching a blue fabric strip onto a patterned light blue fabric with small white circles.

Get Inspired:

Now, you can add artificial or fresh pine boughs to this wall hanging. To keep evergreen sprigs fresh, insert them into floral water tubes and then insert the tubes into the pockets. We trimmed the bottom point off the tubes so that they will fit nicely in the pockets. Floral water tubes (or aqua tubes as they are sometimes called) are available in many craft stores and floral supply stores.

Hand holding green plastic cone base with attached small artificial pine branch on a blue and white patterned quilt with cartoon and patchwork designs.

Add the curtain rod and hang it on your wall!

If gravity causes any of the boughs or decorations to droop or lean forward after hanging, simply hand sew them to the hanger with a couple of stitches using needle and thread.

Hand arranging artificial pine branches with gold and silver berries on a blue fabric background with embroidered angel and star shapes, close-up.

A nativity wall hanging will brighten any room in your home or church!

Blue and white embroidered fabric wall hanging depicting nativity scenes with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, angels, and wise men, decorated with greenery and beads.