Making ur own bags?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Feb 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Mateo06	09 Feb 2002
Can anyone give me any point into the right directions in making my own tarot bags? like the materials i need any books that actually tell u how, and anything else would be helpful thanks.

Thirteen	09 Feb 2002
Quote: Mateo06 (10 Feb, 2002 07:43): Can anyone give me any point into the right directions in making my own tarot bags? like the materials i need any books that actually tell u how, and anything else would be helpful thanks. The only "suggestion" on what to surround a deck with, that I've heard, is to wrap it in silk. I'm guessing this would work better as the lining of a bag rather than the bag itself. Other than that, I've heard no recommendations on the subject--and my cards seem to do just fine in bags of cotton, velvet, rayon, etc. So the shape, size, look and material of the bag would seem to be entirely up to you. Make it as elaborate or simple as you like. The only thing I'd recommend, pratically speaking, is that you be able to shut it tight and open it easily (draw-string, zipper, velcro), and, if you're planning on carrying it around with you at say, a party or gathering, you might give the bag a longish strap or a belt loop. So you don't need to hold the bag in your hand all the time. I certainly envy any one who can made their own bag :) I'm a disastor at sewing, even for something so simple.

tarotbear	10 Feb 2002
I usually make square bags with a flat bottom so the cards fit better. I like a flat bottom on a bag. Oh - that's still all done in one piece, too. {Hey- I was a costumer - making a suit or a fancy gown was easy for me. I would make matching reticules to go with the period stuff I was designing out of the scraps.} You might check a pattern catalog at a sewing/fabric store. You will have to look for a section called 'accessories'; also - many pattern companies (Butterick, Simplicity) now have Medieval costumes, and they usually have a handbag. Maybe not worth the price of the dress pattern just to get a handbag, but if you need directions, sometimes that's the best way to go. Also, I use double drawstrings so that I merely pull the knots on the two sets of strings and the bag closes tightly and stays closed. I'm sure this sounds really complicated if you don't or can't sew, but it's really easy!

Thirteen	10 Feb 2002
Quote: tarotbear (10 Feb, 2002 15:47): I usually make square bags with a flat bottom so the cards fit better. I like a flat bottom on a bag. Oh - that's still all done in one piece, too. :P Show-off.

Bings	10 Feb 2002
I started out making my own stone bags about a year ago. Now I make my own tarot bags also. Basically because I knew I could make better ones than sold in stores. (Sewing is a passion of mine.) You can get patterns for handbags, backpacks, tote bags. McCalls has some nice ones. You can look at patterns online also. Simplicity has a nice web site. I never use a pattern for my bags. A lot of trial and error with scrap material. A lot of looking at bags in stores and thinking "I can do that." Mateo06, if you would like me to send you some drawing or ideas on making your own bags let me know. But be warned!!! I sew better than I draw!!! :-) Dianne

tarotbear	10 Feb 2002
Show-off! Here try this experiment with a paper bag and then translate it to fabric. Get one of those flat bags- like one the card store puts greeting cards into. It is completely flat with no gussets and only one side and bottom seam. Take a boxed deck of tarot cards and put it in the paper bag, stand the bag up. When you make the bottom of the bag flat against the counter, and press the 'side' of the bag flat against the box inside the bag, the excess paper makes a triangular 'flap' where there is too much paper where the side and bottom meet. Crease that flap, and staple it on the crease (or sew the paper bag on a machine with a large stitch). Repeat for the other corner. If the bag is large enough ( it's only paper after all) turn the bag inside out and - VOILA! - the paper bag now has square corners and a bottom! When sewing a cloth version of this, turn the bag inside out , mark the crease with a chalk pencil, and sew it on the machine. VOILA! Same result! {This was easier than trying to explain folding the corner on a 45 degree angle, which is what you are doing, in reality.} TRY IT !!!

Thirteen	10 Feb 2002
Quote: tarotbear (11 Feb, 2002 02:59): When you make the bottom of the bag flat against the counter, and press the 'side' of the bag flat against the box inside the bag, the excess paper makes a triangular 'flap' where there is too much paper where the side and bottom meet. Crease that flap, and staple it on the crease (or sew the paper bag on a machine with a large stitch). Repeat for the other corner. If the bag is large enough ( it's only paper after all) turn the bag inside out and - VOILA! - the paper bag now has square corners and a bottom! [/b] This sounds suspiciously like geometry. Algebra I can do, but geometry....

tarotbear	11 Feb 2002
Yes, Thirteen, and three dimensional geometry at that! Remember - fabric is flat; the human body is not!

silvereye	11 Feb 2002
It's easy to make your own bag. Or you can get a bag and decorate it. You know those small packs with toothpaste and toothbrush, socks, etc that they distribute on Cathay Pacific Airlines? You can use those as your tarot bags and decorate it with fabric paint.

Liliana	11 Feb 2002
Quote: silvereye (12 Feb, 2002 13:35): It's easy to make your own bag. Or you can get a bag and decorate it. You know those small packs with toothpaste and toothbrush, socks, etc that they distribute on Cathay Pacific Airlines? You can use those as your tarot bags and decorate it with fabric paint. Boy, those would be the most expensive bags around, having to buy an airline ticket to get the bag and THEN buying the paints hehe, hey I just thought up a joke You might be a redneck tarotist if you keep your deck in a Crown Royale bag hehehe Ive oftenthought those pretty putple bags it comesin would make a pretty Tarot Bag with some ecoration

Thirteen	13 Feb 2002
Quote: tarotbear (12 Feb, 2002 08:16): Yes, Thirteen, and three dimensional geometry at that! Remember - fabric is flat; the human body is not! Double show-off! :p :p

catlin	13 Feb 2002
I usually buy a large stock of those pretty Syrian woven bags I found in a shop in Heidelberg and add a drawstring to them. The fabric is pretty colourful and strong.

Jeanette	14 Feb 2002
If you decide to make a bag from a pattern, JoAnn Fabric stores frequently have sales when patterns are only 99 cents! You can't beat that price (patterns can sell for a LOT more). I have made a few bags for myself and my sister, lined with double drawstrings. Tarotbear is right, they aren't really difficult. I, too, would be happy to send directions (but they might not be helpful, I sew better than I draw & explain). Let me know!

Jeanette	14 Feb 2002
Here is a rather lengthy link to Nancy's Notions, a sewing site which just happens to have directions on sewing gift bags, just adjust the size for tarot decks! http://www.nancysnotions.com/nancys/assets/html/Bags.asp?mscssid=FBT96UT0LXBM9NRW690QG9C9UVJB7478&gift=&giftID=

Pollux	15 Feb 2002
I want my bag too! In a first moment, I was thinking to ask some friend to do that for me. I do have a couple of Tarot-enthusiast friends, after all. But then I thought I could do it myself. You really got me on the move. My question are: Fabric - Silk, cotton, WOOL!? Colour - Purple, Blue...? Should I make a bag+cloth set? Really professional!!! ;-) I think I'll work it out soon. Thanks for the advice.

Pollux	15 Feb 2002
Hey I find this gorgeous site "Tarot Totes" and I fell in love with this one! http://www.tarottotes.com/Item.asp?IID=399 The point is, I was just on the point of making my own! However, I don't think I'll ever buy it. It might work as inspirational material... dreamt of!!! ;) Tarotbear: I read your name somewhere on the site, even Meewah's maybe. Omonimes?

catlin	15 Feb 2002
Got a handmade bag by Jeanette from Sweden and boy, it is great!

Jeanette	15 Feb 2002
Pollux, I checked out that link, and I'm pretty sure I recognize the fabric on the homepage as the fabric I used it in a baby quilt for my nephew. (The purple w/vines). It was 100% cotton. I prefer to use velvet-type fabric with something slippery for the lining, so the cards go in and out easier. I like to make my bags a generous size, so you can put your spread cloth in there and maybe a small book. For the drawstring, a rayon cord works well because it, too, is slippery and is therefore easy to open and close. Good luck to everyone who tries this! Happy stitching :)

Pollux	15 Feb 2002
Jeanette: do I stand a chance to receive one made from you too? :D Your suggestions are just great. And, honestly, I do think that velvet would be better than cotton, as it gets less "damaged" - I'm brutal as a bull with the things I like, and I really use them up - and having something more solid, wider, even softer clicks with me! :) I hope I'll come up with something good: I got no sewing machine, nor ability - when I was a child, my sister and I would make clothes for Ken & Barbie... that's what my experience is about! :D

Pollux	15 Feb 2002
Jeanette: do I stand a chance to receive one made from you too? :D Your suggestions are just great. And, honestly, I do think that velvet would be better than cotton, as it gets less "damaged" - I'm brutal as a bull with the things I like, and I really use them up - and having something more solid, wider, even softer clicks with me! :) I hope I'll come up with something good: I got no sewing machine, nor ability - when I was a child, my sister and I would make clothes for Ken & Barbie... that's what my experience is about! :D

Jeanette	15 Feb 2002
I really hadn't thought about making bags for others! But, to be honest, I think things that are made by yourself have your energies in them, and are more meaningful because of it. And, since the bags really don't require much material, start with something inexpensive for the prototype, and when you have all the bugs worked out, move on to expensive fabrics. Don't think Barbie clothes are easy to make, they're so tiny! But, if yoy really want a bag made for you, I might consider it!

kayne	15 Feb 2002
My friend was throwing out a heep of pre-loved clothes and on top was a black velvet long sleeve shirt... (She was going out of her gothic/hippy phase) so I asked for it... Just chopped off the sleeves, sowed up the bottom, hemmed the top - perfect! I use a little tie of various ocean coloured glass beads to tie it up. :)

Pollux	16 Feb 2002
Kayne: Black velvet... GREAT!!! I hope I'll find some with blue or purple or greens shades. (goos for my Aquarian!) Jeanette: I still bow to your Wisdom. I promise I'll do my best. All the same, let me in on it if you change your mind! :D

Emily	16 Feb 2002
Kayne, That's a good idea, When I made my tarot bag I used new cotton, which wasn't my first choice but it was all I could get - I didn't think of using second hand cloth - I want to make at least 3 more bags so I think I'll be calling into a few second hand shops :)

purplelady	16 Feb 2002
I've made all my own tarot bags , and believe it or not , it's the only thing I've learned to sew on a sewing machine! I have never used a pattern, but kind-of copied the way they look from tarot bags I saw online.( My grandma used to be able to look at anything and then go home and sew it without a pattern! Maybe it's in my genes?) Actually , I decided on the bag dimensions , and lining and wrote it down . Then I just whip this out everytime I need to make a bag and cut the fabric to the right dimensions , and sew it on up. Here's a great hint for the drawstring: When you have your 1 (or 2 if there's a lining) pieces of fabric laid flat,before you sew anything else, (except maybe to hem it) sew the place for the drawstring.Take a piece of a wire hanger stretched out , and use scotch tape to tape the drawstring tightly to it , then just push it through bag. Much easier than trying to put it in there after bag is sewn! I would like to learn how to make the double drawstring kind but don't know how! I've used cotton with satin lining , and velvet. The velvet was surprisingly easy , and beautiful! The satin can be a pain because it is very slippery! Have always meant to find the perfect tarot bag pattern , but just never got around to it. Are there free patterns on the web? Wait , do I even need to ask that? If it's online and I want it , there isn't much I can't find!!! You would not believe what I have found and printed as far as bead patterns . It's truly mind-boggling!

stella01904	04 Jan 2005
MM ~ I'm a stickler for natural fibers. I make a silk liner. Then I crochet two rectangles a little longer than the front of the box. I use 100% cotton crochet thread, like for doilies, not yarn. It comes in colors now and it's very inexpensive. This is a personal choice, yarn is bulky. But it would be excellent padding and very durable, 100% wool yarn would be good for a deck that gets hauled around a lot. After that I crochet a gusset as wide as the box, to join the two rectangles. I join the whole thing together and add drawstrings. You don't even have to sew the liner in, just insert it. The whole thing can be as simple or elaborate as you want. You could do fancy openwork stitching with a contrasting lining, or just do the whole thing in a simple double crochet stitch. BB, Stella

Flavio	04 Jan 2005
Jeanette wrote: I really hadn't thought about making bags for others! But, to be honest, I think things that are made by yourself have your energies in them, and are more meaningful because of it. Agree on this, I made my own bags (a couple of times by hand!) using one of my old cotton t-shirts as the lining, I like fabrics in warm colors so most of my bags are yellow, my favorite one has a design like a chess board in yellow and white, in the white squares there are sunflowers this fabric was meant to be kitchen curtain but I like how it looks.

Emily	04 Jan 2005
Oooh I'd forgotten about this thread - It was the first tarot bag I'd ever made, not made too many after it either. I did all the sewing by hand, and made the drawstring that went through it. My Thoth sits in this bag now. In the other thread the bag I made last night was made half by machine and finished by hand - I wanted to be able to see the blanket stitch around the bag itself not machine stitching, it looks OK - I'd do it again :)

stella01904	04 Jan 2005
Flavio wrote: ...my favorite one has a design like a chess board in yellow and white, in the white squares there are sunflowers this fabric was meant to be kitchen curtain but I like how it looks. MM - I've seen nice designs on dish towels and the like. Not the terry cloth but the flat kind...Since you only need a small quantity you could use these...or a bandanna...well, since you only need a little, you could use pure cashmere for that matter! BB, Stella

aneski	04 Jan 2005
I crochet my own bags with different yarns, and they work out great!

HudsonGray	04 Jan 2005
A little known thing to try (which I got off a dollmaker list) is if you can't find what you like at the fabric stores just go down to Goodwill or the other thrift stores and go 'fabric shopping' through the blouse/dress/skirt section. Even look through silk ties in the men's section. You'll be amazed what's there sometimes. AND you can find leather via old used jackets if you wanted to do a leather pouch. The prices are right, and you get more than enough fabric to make several pouches.

stella01904	04 Jan 2005
MM ~ Agreed, crocheted bags are the best! BB, Stella

Flavio	05 Jan 2005
Here's a sample of my handmade kitchen curtain fabric Tarot bags :)

DeLani	05 Jan 2005
I make almost all my own bags. It's very simple - you don't need a pattern or anything. Start out with a strip of fabric. The width will be determined by: measuring around 3 sides of the deck (not all the way around the whole deck) - the side, back, & other side. The length: lay the tarot deck lengthwise on one end on the strip. Leave about 2 to 2 1/2 " from the top of the deck to the end of the strip. Now, flip the deck up so it stands up, then flip it again so it's laying down (you are flipping the deck end over end, so you have deck length + bottom of the deck's width + deck length). Give another 2 to 2 1/2 " on the other end. Fold fabric in half (face in), fold the tops of the strip down about 1"(to the outside, so the seam will be on the inside when finished). Sew along the sides, leaving the top folded part unsewn. The "bag" part is finished. Now you will be making the drawstring closure, so be sure not to sew the front & back together after this! Sew the ends of the folds down, to make the bottom of the drawstring "track." Then sew the edges of the folded parts together about 1/2" above where the bag's side seams end (to leave a drawstring opening). Now run a stitch across the the folded part just above the drawstring opening on both sides - this will make the top of the drawstring "track" & give you a little poof above the drawstring. Turn rightside out and thread two strings: each string is strung in a "U" from one side, around the bag, out again the same side. So you will end up with 2 string ends (from the same string) sticking out from each side. You just grab all the strings & pull to close. I really hope that makes sense...it's a lot easier to do than to explain without visuals!

stella01904	05 Jan 2005
HudsonGray wrote: A little known thing to try (which I got off a dollmaker list) is if you can't find what you like at the fabric stores just go down to Goodwill or the other thrift stores and go 'fabric shopping' ...AND you can find leather via old used jackets if you wanted to do a leather pouch. The prices are right, and you get more than enough fabric to make several pouches. MM ~ I thought I invented that trick! I like leather bags for stones - runes and the like. I think one of the Eddas has a bit about a woman rune caster wearing cat skins (NO, I would NEVER take it that far!) but stones seem to like living in leather bags, with a bit of Solstice mistletoe. In any case manufactured bags are usually cheap velvet or velveteen, maybe with a polyester satin lining pretending to be "silk", nothing natural. Odd! But you don't HAVE to haunt Goodwill looking for materials for bags. As we've mentioned before, they're small, even cashmere would be affordable! BB, Stella

stella01904	05 Jan 2005
MM ~ I just wanted to add, another good thing about getting leather "Goodwill hunting" is that one less animal dies. Fur also tempts me but I will not use the skin of anything I wouldn't eat (this rules out mink and fox!) BB, Stella

WolfSpirit	05 Jan 2005
Like some here mentioned already - crocheted bags are great. I made mine with different colours of cotton in different combinations so some bags look a bit alike but they are really all different. I just invest in a few new coloured yarns from time to time and I can make a number of bags. I have also sewn bags - I still kept old clothes in wild patterns that I did not wear anymore, and they were great for making bags as well. Flavio ~ I like your bags too, they are so cheerful !

stella01904	05 Jan 2005
MM ~ I liked Flavios bags, too! I forgot to mention that. As far as old clothes, well, I have a wonderful Russian wool shawl with an intricate floral pattern and I never, ever want it to get damaged, I want to wrap up in it until I am a very old woman, but if anything does happen to it, well, it's getting recycled! BB, Stella

The Making ur own bags? thread was originally posted on 09 Feb 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.