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Zig Zag Nativity Card - Tutorial

Project Description

Create this stunning 3D Zig Zag

Nativity to keep or give. It is designed
to fold flat for storage or mailing. It
makes a special card that can
become holiday decor. The download
includes a custom envelope or it fits in
a standard 6 x 9” booklet envelope. It
is about 10” w and 6” tall when
expanded.

Construction techniques are a simple

version of my other zig zag projects.
There is a video of the assembly
below. Scroll to step 5 to start
watching. This file is much easier than
the original Zig Zag Village Quick
version with much quicker assembly
time.

Cutting File available here from 3dcuts.com. http://3dcuts.com/christmas-projects/zig-zag-nativity

Supplies needed:

Order supplies from Amazon:

• Cutting File available here from 3dcuts.com.

• Card stock - I used the 65lb Cardstock 12” x 12”
Vanilla from American Crafts. 2 12 x 12 pieces are
required for the card. Two pieces in a contrasting
color are needed for the envelope. Nativity pieces
can fit on 8.5 X 11” with rearranging. Envelope
requires 12 x 12.
• Adhesive - Art Glitter Glue and Scor-Tape 1/4”, 1/8”
• Ribbon - optional
• Scotch Tape
Major Parts Sizes - as download.
(Links for USA customers only. Other countries will need to
search in their local Amazon for the products.)
• Order from Amazon: American Crafts 71661 Vanilla
Card Stock (Affiliate Link)
• Order from Amazon: Scor-Tape 1/4” 3 rolls (Affiliate
Link)
• Order from Amazon: Scor-Tape 1/8" X 27yds (2
Rolls) (Affiliate Link)
• Order from Amazon: 6 x 9 Booklet Envelope - White
25 pack

• Order from Amazon: Art Glitter Glue with metal tip

Keep grouped for sizing: Measurements match the grouping
(Affiliate Link)
and orientation in the diagram below. Measurements maybe
needed if using dxf files. • Order from Amazon:  Nicapa Cutting Mat (Affiliate
Link)
• Page 1 Group: 11.3482" w x 1094.03" h
• Order from Amazon: Premium Silhouette Blade
• Page 2 Group- 10.7666" w x 10.0586"h
(Affiliate Link)
• Envelope Back - 11.5014" w x 11.4528"h
 • Envelope Rectangle - 7.4194" w x 4.5"h • Order from Amazon: (Precision Tip Applicator Bottle)

Note: Many layers have smaller pieces inside them. Keep

them grouped together if you must re-size pieces.

• ALL File: 23.8157" w x 11.3655" h ( just Nativity parts)

Note: Not all software and cutting machine combinations can use the ALL file. Some resizes files to fit in a smaller mat area.
Import the individual files if your machine has size limitations. I create the ALL file in case you want to re-size everything.

Steps for completing the Zig Zag Nativity Card:

Special Note: I update the instructions online. Check here for adjustments and additional information.

1. Download the cutting files for your cutting machine here from the 3dcuts.com store. http://3dcuts.com/christmas-
projects/zig-zag-nativity. For those of you that are reading this as a pdf I recommend viewing it online at my tutorials page at
this url. There all the links will be live.

2. Load the files into your cutting software following the steps for your cutting machine.

3. Prepare the files:.

• For the Silhouette:

• SIL Files from upload SVG purchased from 3dcuts.com:

○ The SVG files may need to be turned into cutting files. Click here for detailed steps on how to use SVG files on
your Silhouette. http://www.3dcuts.com/tutorial-upload-svg-silhouette

○ DXF files can be opened in the basic edition of Silhouette Design Studio but often require modifications. I
recommend using the Designer Edition and using svg files. DXF files do not always maintain file sizes and you
may need to adjust according to sizes noted above.
 • For Cricut Explore: Here is a guide for importing into Cricut Design Space. http://www.3dcuts.com/tutorial-adding-
3dcuts-files-to-cricut. Remember to ATTACH files before cutting in Cricut. There have been some issues with the
Cricut release (August 2019) that will not allow you to use the ALL file. You must import in individual groups. Hopefully
this gets resolved.

• For Brother ScanNCut: The svg files will need to be transferred to files for your particular machine. You can change
SVG files to FCM files at http://www.canvasworkspace.com/ or Google "How to import SVG files into a ScanNCut" for
links to tutorials. Some models of Brother Scan N Cut can directly import the SVG files.

4.  Cut the files.

• It is best to have good quality card stock and a good blade and clean, sticky mat. I use the Premium blade and the
Nicapa mat. These files do have intricate cuts and you need to know which settings your machine works best with.

5. Assembly

• The assembly steps are detailed in the video below. Here is the YouTube url https://youtu.be/NnMY8QiFV3Y.

Zig Zag Nativity Tutorial 3dcuts

 6. Making an envelope:

This card is designed to fit in a standard booklet 6 x 9” envelope available from Amazon. If you would like to instead make
your own envelope out of a better grade card stock then use the file included for the envelope. You will need 2 12 x 12”
pieces of card stock.The assembly video is at the end of the above video

 7. Sending the card:

• This project is designed to fold flat for storage or to be mailed in a 6" x 9" booklet envelope.

• There is an affiliate link in the supplies above for ordering them from Amazon or you can make your own with the
included file.

• Place a cardboard support in the envelope to prevent bending.

• It will require extra postage.

Creative Applications:

I will post photos of cards other crafters have made. Send a photo to 3dcuts.com if you have done something interesting with
this file.

Other Zig Zag Card Designs available from 3dCuts.com -