Does Anyone Use A Spreadcloth?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 Jan 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

HudsonGray	21 Jan 2003
I was looking over the 'accessories' available on ebay & it seems to be predominantly tarot bags. Only one spread cloth was listed, for $10 starting bid, and that made me wonder if anyone really used them. I've seen a few used outdoors, but they were just scarves or a half yard of fabric not even finished off, put down to protect the cards from whatever table surface the reader was using. With all the star & moon fabrics showing up at the fabric stores, I was sort of tossing around the idea of doing a spread cloth, double sided, with a side pocket for possibly holding small polished stones that I've seen some readers use to weight down the cards when working outdoors. That or a matching drawstring bag for the stones. But I was overall just curious if this is something that's used by readers in general or if it's just a luxury item.

Silverlotus	21 Jan 2003
I made myself a simple little spread cloth just the other day. Two pieces of light purple fabric with a thin piece of batting between them. I did mostly to keep my cards free of cat hair. :) I like to spread my cards out on my carpet to do large readings, but no matter how often I vaccum, it seems like my cards always end up covered in cat hair. The curse (or blessings) of a long haired cat I guess. I don't know about fancy spread cloths though. I think sometimes they are mostly for atmosphere. But I think a simple one is a good idea overall if you want to keep your cards tidy.

Umbrae	21 Jan 2003
...never saw the purpose. A card condom is nice when I'm not reading, but during...? Related: http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10208

lawguy51	21 Jan 2003
A friend gave me a beautiful piece of silk, tourquoise with silver dargons embroidered. I like to do my readings sitting on the floor of my office at home. So it makes sense for me to put something down to place the cards onto. Also, for me at least, it adds to the ritual and respect for the reading. Sort of like dressing up nice for a party. Lawguy51

Faerie Lin	21 Jan 2003
I use a spread cloth sometimes, depending on where in the house I do my readings. I have a solid amberish/goldish velvet cloth. I like solid colors for the simple fact of making the cards stand out more. If I see some other pattern behind the cards that tends to mess with my concentration. But other than that I don't REALLY see any use of them other than what was mentioned, for the atmosphere with the design ones.

mrsjvan	21 Jan 2003
I just use an unfinished piece of Green silk. I too have animals and like to do my readings on the floor. It keeps my cards clean. I also like the way my cards look against the backdrop. but I don't think it is a necessity. It's pretty much personal preference.

patter	21 Jan 2003
I don't

Joywalker	21 Jan 2003
I've never used a spread cloth before.It was only after I joined this forum that prompt me to get one and it was to protect my cards from the table's surface. I bought mine from a fashion accessories shop.It is a black and red bandana,for just $3. :) You can see it on my homepage. :D http://www.geocities.com/joywalker50/mytarotpage.html

tarotbear	21 Jan 2003
I always take a spreadcloth with me when I take my deck out of the house, just in case. It is mostly to provide a clean spot on which to spread the cards. Using one 'defines' the area in my psyche as being 'special'. Having given readings just about everywhere, a spreadcloth is essential for covering a multitude of sins! It hides the bird droppings on the roadside picnic table, covers the burn marks on an ironing board, or simply tones down that ugly red-glitter card table vinyl covering. Is one "essential"? Hardly. I like the idea of corner pockets to hold stones to weight it down. Anyone remember a few years ago those throws that folded up into a pillow? Perhaps someone can design a carry-bag for the cards that opens into a spreadcloth. AHA!

Sulis	21 Jan 2003
I usually do my readings on the bed so I don`t need a spread cloth. I`ve thought of getting one or more likely making one so that I can protect my cards if I wanted to read anywhere else. Maybe a spreadcloth with a drawstring around the edge would be a good idea as that could also double up as a bag for the cards. Hmmm I feel an idea coming on................. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

zorya	21 Jan 2003
tarotbear; there already are round spread cloths that gather up into a drawstring tarot bag. i use a large cotton scarf that has the sun, moon and stars on it. another very pretty option for weighing down corners, is to sew a few dangling beads onto the corners.

Laurel	21 Jan 2003
I use a very simple black cotton one I made myself for less than $3, for three reaons: 1. Protect the cards from any "surface" problems like Tarotbear just said, so I can read just about anywhere, including the grass on a nice summer day. 2. Avoid table glare which can sometimes hurt my eyes and distract me. The single-shaded dark background is soothing to my eyes 3. The cloth also "triggers" a pseudo-subconscious color affinity between what I'm doing and what I'm seeing. I've found I simply read better with this simple gimmick of a black cotton cloth to represent the unconsconscious, the shadow, the "occult" from which the cards themselves are a contrast. ~LAS

heartsdesire	21 Jan 2003
i have made my own spread cloth - mostly because I just felt it was the right thing to do. Everything I used for it was purchsed at Wal-Mart. The top is a light blue synthetic "ultra- suede" - very soft to the touch. I wanted something that appealed to me not only visually but to my sense of touch as well. The back is another piece of cloth - this one is a blue/yellow flannel plaid. Again - I love plaids, and the feel of flannel. the cloth is about 36" square, and I simply machine-basted the right sides together. Then I added a royal blue blanket binding (by hand) so that the edges would be nicely finished. The cloth lays nicely - and I have added interesting buttons, charms and beads to each of the corners. Stars, suns and moons - and seashells and fish. I have a few new ones to add - which I do when I find something that calls to me.

Dragonless	21 Jan 2003
Having read all of the above all I can say is .. 'great ideas'. I have wondered for a while that something wasn't quite right ... and now I feel that this is it!. I make sure my decks are kept wrapped in silk-like material in ornate wooden boxes but I always felt I wasn't "doing them right" by just laying them on any surface. Thank you. Having just received my new Robin Wood deck I am itching to try it. As soon as I saw it I felt I had found a long lost sister and now I know what to do. Deep green.... that will be the colour I think.... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Dragonless

darwinia	21 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by heartsdesire i have made my own spread cloth - mostly because I just felt it was the right thing to do. Everything I used for it was purchsed at Wal-Mart. The top is a light blue synthetic "ultra- suede" - very soft to the touch. I wanted something that appealed to me not only visually but to my sense of touch as well. The back is another piece of cloth - this one is a blue/yellow flannel plaid. Again - I love plaids, and the feel of flannel. the cloth is about 36" square, and I simply machine-basted the right sides together. Then I added a royal blue blanket binding (by hand) so that the edges would be nicely finished. The cloth lays nicely - and I have added interesting buttons, charms and beads to each of the corners. Stars, suns and moons - and seashells and fish. I have a few new ones to add - which I do when I find something that calls to me. What a lovely, creative idea! I seem to have similar problems to other people, I am plagued by cat hair. I couldn't figure out how to stop the wrinkling on a lay cloth so I haven't made one, so I thought a machine quilted rectangle would be good, then you could roll it and it wouldn't wrinkle. I know they have a nice tan-coloured suede lay cloth at Tarot Totes, but I like the idea of using fabric with a pertinent design. BUT I love this idea of yours for putting charms and buttons in the corners for design purposes but aslo to weight it down. The idea of adding buttons and charms as you find them is good. Doesn't it wrinkle though, I thought that a thin cotton batting and some machine quilting would alleviate that problem and also give some body to the corners where you're sewing charms on, but perhaps it's not necessary? What magic do you perform to keep it from wrinkling? Thanks

HudsonGray	22 Jan 2003
Wrinkling depends entirely on the fabric. Velours won't wrinkle easily, but cottons usually do. Same for some polyesters. A good wrinkle test is to go to the fabric store, look at the fabrics you like, then take a handful of fabric at one end & crush it in your hand for 5 seconds. The number of wrinkles in the fabric when you let go will let you know how bad it'll be. I learned that a long time ago & it's pretty accurate. If you use 2 layers, sewn right sides together & turn it, then sew around the entire outer edge about 1/4" in you'll get it to lay flat really well (like a placemat). Bet you could even sew little squares in the corners with an inserted weight in them, to keep the corners down flat instead of curling up. Washers, flattened glass marbles, anything with a tad of weight to it. I'm thinking just a little 1 1/2x 1 1/2" square in each corner.

juice	22 Jan 2003
I found this whole stack of wonderful purple bags big enough for more than one deck that were $1 each and I bought several. Unfortunately they were all the same shade of purple and I can't tell them apart. They have draw strings with one of those thingies you have to squeeze so that it can slide to lock them shut. I've been thinking that I needed to sew some of these beeds I have on to them to tell them apart and dress them up some. If a deck fits loosely enough that you don't have to fight to put them in their bag, then it might not stay stacked well enough in my backpack to keeep all the cards safe. So I have a couple of cloths from the mythic set wrapped around the deck(s). The silky feeling knit never wrinkles. I haven't done it yet but have planning to keep my eye out for a thin square of plastic to lay under the cloth for when the table isn't completely dry. I've been eyeing plastic baggies but they take up too much room. I'm glad most the decks I took with me on that camping trip/flood were in baggies. Lots of my decks are still in their box and the boxes are starting to show signs of wear so I'm looking for more cheap .... I do have that piece of silk. I have yarn and beeds and think I will be sewing something on the corners of the throw.

allibee	22 Jan 2003
I've never used a spread cloth, just seemed like another bit of unneccessary mumbo jumbo to me personally, you know, along with .... your first deck has to come as a gift .... only cut with your left hand because it's closest to your heart etc, etc :) allibee

jema	22 Jan 2003
i was given one by a friend just a week ago. he made it himself and in a dark green colour. it is double-sided and rather sturdy yet soft. i find it an excellent way to both store a deck and to protect it while reading on less then pristine surfaces. so i see it as a really practical thing. i tried to use a silky scarf a few times but it is almost impossible since it got static and slipped away in all directions and was too slippery for the cards. and the pattern was a bit too busy too. i doubt i will make or buy more spreadcloths though. i got one and that is enough for me.

darwinia	22 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by allibee I've never used a spread cloth, just seemed like another bit of unneccessary mumbo jumbo to me personally, you know, along with .... your first deck has to come as a gift .... only cut with your left hand because it's closest to your heart etc, etc :) allibee I find rituals limiting and restrictive myself, including using spreadcloths. However, as previously mentioned, spreadcloths ARE necessary to: 1) Combat hair from evil felines that may cohabit with you or lurk in the homes of others. 2) Use up the fab plaid fabric with the wild colours that you can't use anywhere else. (Who invented orange anyway?) 3) Find an appropriate spot for the blobby flower charm your Mom gave you for a charm bracelet that you haven't worn since you received it for your sweet sixteen. 4) Highlight the lovely chartreuse and red streaks in the deck from Hell that a close member of your family gave you. The only saving grace for this baby is a spreadcloth with jewel tone colours and buttons, charms, and beads that draw the eye away from the horrible art and cheesy keywords.

cjtarot	22 Jan 2003
Hi all... here we go...a jumbled thread: "Is one "essential"? Hardly. I like the idea of corner pockets to hold stones to weight it down." am not sure about corner pockets..mine is black velvet with a cotton (red stars and moons) back. it's heavy and the cards stand out and don't shift around on the black velvet. On the rare occasion that I read outside, I put my stones (crystals and the stones with the indian style carvings of animals) on the 4 corners. I like the idea of a scarf, but the patterns are too distracting for me. "Anyone remember a few years ago those throws that folded up into a pillow?" AH the Magic Pillow, I have made quite a few in my quilting days..they are easy and nice for the couch "Perhaps someone can design a carry-bag for the cards that opens into a spreadcloth." I would love to make a round cloth that can double as a carry bag, in fact I was asking about one a few weeks ago in the AE Chat. Velvet on one side, sturdy cotton on the other...I like the idea of charms and tassles...hmmmmm..maybe on the cord since the cloth will be round??? Tarotbear, if you have a dimesion in mind I have a sewing machine ready and waiting.. Just let me know. Cj

Madonna	23 Jan 2003
I use a dark green (snakeskin feel) cloth to cover my table when I read but what I do for spread sheets was make my own. I go to fabric stores & buy the ends they have cheap.I also bought small bts. of gold & silver fabric paint. Than using a pencil I traced the outlines of the laid cards on it. Then after putting the cards away I would then retrace the card outlines with the pretty paint. Using a toothpick I dipped in to the paint & wrote the position description under each card outline. I actually did this because I was learning a new spread on relationships & sure enough I have never forgotten it. The beauty of it is how much my clients like it. They can look back at the readings & remember the placements as well as what the cards had to say to them. It is even nicer when I can take a few spread cloths with me & choose different ones for what type of spread I want. I also feel that the spread cloth picks up the feel for just those type of layouts. It helps put me in the right mood as well as feel like a pleasant change from just one type.

tarotbear	24 Jan 2003
Madonna, it's really funny that you meantion that- using fabric paints to draw the layout/placement of the cards because once, a long time ago I had considred doing exactly that! I had this bizarre idea of creating a layout for all the common spreads exactly as you said, with the placement for the cards outlined in fabric paints. I had this idea that I could open a shop, and use them as wall hangings! That way, if someone wanted a celtic cross, I would take the 'celtic cross' wallhanging down, throw it over a table, and use it. "Want a Horseshoe spread? Let me get the cloth." If you have a sewing machine that does letter embroidery, you could embroider the name of the position under each rectangle. Amazing how great minds think alike, eh?

algiz	24 Jan 2003
Very interesting... i have never used a spread cloth, but am thinking a black silk cloth to wrap and cover my cards(old mythic deck, that we're given to me) and will be using that to lay my cards on for readings... Although i dont use spreads?!?! i just lay a line of 4 then under that a line of 3 etc till i get to one, this is the method i made up... and this way you dont have to stick to a conventional spread. It leaves you to think what issues are in there, you can break and move seperate issues to the side to read afterwards, and you can see how the cards relate to eachother quickly. In future concerns the row of four at the top is the present or just gone past and the row of one is the future. In personal spreads the row of one is what the questioner is striving towards becoming, and the rest are the issues. its a very valuable intuitive method that needs nothing. I all of the Tarot in one night(last night) to my mother in a space of a few hours by leading her away from the book of meanings and towards trusting her instincts to the cards and how she feels about them. this reads more with a flow, and more intuitive(and namely more correct) i suggest that clothes should be used only if you want to use them. for the begginer, dont bother... trust all instincts.

Osher	24 Jan 2003
I have never used a spreadcloth, and like Allibee saw it as a bit of additional flim-flam. However, reading this post has been interesting, as I can now see a practical (as opposed to divinatory) purpose of having one. Seeing as I read on a battered desk which has had some dope (for my model aircraft) spilt on it, and who knows what else, maybe a spreadcloth is not a bad idea. Something of a good weight and dark I think.

cjtarot	25 Jan 2003
Hi all, I sat down at my kitchen table and came up with an idea..scarry.. took a piece of black velvet backed it with red cotton, then added to the cotton side a pocket for my deck. I sewed a few seems into it to make it look like a pattern on the black side and when I fold it, I tie it with a pale gold ribbon I had in my stash. It's a pretty neat idea, I just have to work on the design, I think the square is a little big. The velvet/cotton mix works well because the velvet is thick enough that the cotton sleeve is not noticable when you read with the black side up. I think I'll go add some charms to the corners..IF I get a chance I will add a pix to my web site...have to wait for my friend with the digital camrea.. Well I'm off to sew again, Blessings, Cj

Madonna	29 Jan 2003
TarotBear...we're smarter than the average bears !

Kitty	29 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Silverlotus I The curse (or blessings) of a long haired cat I guess. . Hehehe - I have a lay/spread cloth that matches my tarot bag - purchased them as a set from Tarot Totes. Mine are covered in white cat hair from my dear oscar - his hair will always conquer any protection you to put up :)

Eowyn	30 Jan 2003
I never ever thought of not using a cloth, because is softer with your cards's edges, and its easier to fan them in the moment you will choose or pick them. To have a good cloth makes you a "todo terreno" tarot reader, I mean, you forget if you are sitting in a park, sand, if the table is dirty, etc. I also have a spread big paper thing that came with my deck (legend) wich is so very beautifull, with the positions ready for a celtic cross reading, water coloured, so I dont use it and some times I take it and just stare at it....

lunalafey	30 Jan 2003
A bedspreadcloth*lol* Most of my readings at home are done from the most cozy place in the house. I have a blue rayon velvet quilt on my bed. I really don't use one regularly otherwise. If I take my deck out then I do take a cloth along just in case there is not a sutible surface. I have a cotton piece I found in a thrift store that was a curtain, it has flower faries all over it. I also have a tie dyed silk scarf that I made. I prefer the natural fibers {cotton, rayon, silk, etc}over synthetics like polyester or acrylic.

sagitarian	31 Jan 2003
never used one, but I can understand why people do. Makes sense to protect them from gung on the table and what not. That's a great idea though, have a little pocket made into it for stones to hold down cards on a windy day! Great idea!

Liliana	31 Jan 2003
I have a couple of the worst thing to happen to Tarot cards since cats, CHILDREN (especially toddlers) I never know what might be on my table that I dont catch until its too late so I use a cloth. My first one was turquoise but made out of this weird plastic material, i hated it. Then I got this lovely black and turquoise one, the entire edge is covered by fringe. Both those 2 I got at the thrift shop for a buck each. But now I use the best of all, the beautiful black velevet one that Pollux had his relative make me. I love it because its heavier and stays put, unlike the other 2, and it has a matching extra large tarot bag Love Ya Pollux :THP

firemaiden	01 Feb 2003
Umbrae lied. :D })He uses a spreadcloth, its wrapped around his favorite financial advice book, underneath the left front leg of his kitchen table to keep it from wobbling...:laugh:

Talisman	03 Feb 2003
'Lo all, A blue bandanna, of course. This wonderful piece of gear has many other uses also. Tie it around your neck, cowboy fashion. Pull it over your nose as a disguise when holding up stagecoaches. This also helps during dust storms. Just returned from a desert hike in Arizona where wind gusts were 55 miles per hour. (Learned this bit of data from watching TV news between long showers in the comfort of a rented motel room.) The bandanna makes a handy potholder, then becomes a tablecloth, then a dish rag then a dish towel then a people towel. Soak it then plop it in your hat or bicycle helmet for cooling relief. Use it to protect the back of your neck from sun burn and to bandage a nasty scrape. Found a wonderful Tarot spread on a blue bandanna once. And told you all how I lost it when the bandanna expired from sun fading and repeated laundering. Am now looking for a bandanna with a pattern that matches my new spread. The patterns on bandannas seem to be as individual as snowflakes. Perhaps there is one that will fit your favorite spread. Hey, I like mumbo jumbo, long as it is mine own. And things not quite glimpsed out of the corner of your eye where dreams and ideas come from. Talisman

Logiatrix	04 Feb 2003
i must accessorize; it is one of my least destructive compulsions. each of my "regular" decks has it's own spread cloth and bag to match. :)

Shade	05 Feb 2003
I do a lot of readings at bars and coffee shops where it is absolutely necessary to have a cloth because there is always a layer of slime on all of the tables and counters in those places. I am not an advocate of being a slave to the many conflicting tarot myths we've all heard before but I will say I find that people I read for (especially those I don't know) do like a balance between the mystical and the normal in readings. So when reading I stay away from saying things like "I see a man... a dark man" but I do like to have cloths and candles around when I can. I've done readings at high school dances and having a couple of different cloths draped over the table and a couple of seven day candles did get people into the right frame of mind for the reading.

MattDouglas	05 Feb 2003
I use a spreadcloth when reading for others just because it looks neat. However, I will freely tell people the cloth is unnecessary if they were to ask about it. Now that I'm reading professionally, it's a nice prop. However, my pro readings are taking place outdoors and if it gets windy, then I just fan the cards in my hand. I use a CC usually, and can tell from where the are in the order where I would have ended up placing them in the spread. Just my two cents worth! Love, understanding and compassion Matt

Jeanette	05 Feb 2003
Yes, I like a spreadcloth, but don't find it absolutely necessary! I embroidered (with my embroidery machine) scroll designs in each of the four corners. The thread is a sparkly white, and the cloth is black crepe. It doesn't wrinkle easily, if you fold it nicely. And as for a waterproof spreadcloth, there is such a thing as a vinyl that you can fuse to the back of fabric for just that purpose. I've seen it at JoAnn Fabrics and other sewing notions counters. I think it comes in different weights, but I've never worked with it myself, so I can't recommend it one way or the other. But, with all of the ideas I've read here, I may have to get working on another one; I love the beads idea and the bag/spreadcloth combo idea! Now, down to my fabric stash to see what's suitable.......

The Does Anyone Use A Spreadcloth? thread was originally posted on 21 Jan 2003 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.