Need a new tarot card bag

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Star Spirit	10 Dec 2003
Yes, the sickness got me. I'm probably ordering myself a second deck. My first deck has a cloth and box, but that was expensive, and I don't believe I'll be going the box route again for any of my other decks. Bags are cheaper, and easier to use (with mine I have to wrap it all up nice, then put it away into the box). I'm ordering the deck so that it will be here soon, probably before my boyfriend arrives for the holidays, so I can study it with him. I want a nice bag, but does anyone know of an online store where I'd be able to order a nice bag, not too expensive and have it shipped to me in Canada within like, a week? I suppose I don't need it right away but it would be nice. I've also considered alternatives, or making my own....but I've never done this before and not sure how I'd go about doing it. Has anyone done this, or does anyone use any other sort of bags for their cards? Any ideas are welcome.

Le_Corsair	10 Dec 2003
I found a really good one on Ebay by searching for tarot bag. It was very inexpensive. Many people here at Aeclectic make them. Demonesse makes beautiful ones. I've heard that CJTarot makes good ones, too. Bob :THERM

MoreMagic	10 Dec 2003
Maybe they are too expensive, but they sure look beautiful - and you can get spread cloths to match: www.tarotbags.com

Mystic Zyl	10 Dec 2003
I agree with that ol' pirate Bob I have found nice ones on Ebay. I am not shocked that people here make bags, if not for only for their own use. There is also a Doller Tree where I live and I have gotten nice bags for a dollar.

yve	10 Dec 2003
I just created a couple out of the most unlikely thing...a pair of pants! I had these rayon pants made in India that I accidentally washed and shrunk...the bottoms (ankles) had a border of a complimentary patchwork fabric inset and these little ankle insets were bordered by some fancy ribbon...I almost threw them out, then I got the bright idea that they would make a couple of nice tarot card bags! I cut off each bottom so I ended up with 2 open ended squares, I sewed up the bottoms, folded over and sewn a hem in the top, and threaded some cording I bought at the fabric store, and Voila, a unique tarot bag...I think if you went to the second hand store you'd find some wonderful things to make some beautiful tarot bags out of!

Star Spirit	10 Dec 2003
Thanks guys. Good suggestions, however I've had about enough Ebay for now (Xmas gifts), and those bags on the site are beautiful except I believe it's only payable through PayPal, which I no longer have (and it takes a while to register a new card). Hmmmm....

Star Spirit	10 Dec 2003
I looked around the house and couldn't find any fabric. But I got an idea. I think I'm going to use this little green velvet drawstring bag that I'd been using for something else (hadn't touched it in ages). I dumped out the contents, ripped out the ugly red shoelace type string, and it actually doesn't look bad. I couldn't find a ribbon to use, but I weave friendship bracelets, and there's this knot design I think I'm going to use that would make the perfect drawstring for the bag. And it would look a hell of a lot better than it did before. So I think I'm good....for this bag anyway :) I'm glad I found something. I like your ideas though guys. I'll keep them in mind.

WolfyJames	10 Dec 2003
Personaly, I don't like sewing, so I use felt. With felt, you don't have to worry about finishing borders. I buy the felt and the threads at 1$ stores, you can look at fabric stores too. Shopping for neat buttons can be fun. Again, with felt, you don't have to care about finishing the holes for the buttons. You can find plenty of other accessories at craft stores, like embroderies (already done) that you can buy and stitch (or glue) on your bag, ribbons, sequins, etc. I admit that my bags are not fancy with velvet or silk, but I like the rugged feel of felt.

Star Spirit	10 Dec 2003
Neat idea, WolfyJames! Thanks.

lark	10 Dec 2003
Dead Star do you really think you are going to get out of here without telling us what deck you ordered? edited to add: bob I think your post looks very christmassy

Majecot	10 Dec 2003
Dead Star, Yes we would like to know what deck it is you ordered. I do have two gorgeous bags that I bought off EBay, silk lined and padded. I think they were around $16 a piece. Excellant workmanship. And I just made two bags today for a couple of my decks, they are made from a black mesh with little sliver sequins, with purple satin lining, with a black sliky cord. If you like I can whip up a bag and send it to you, I have some extra fabric. Tell me what size your cards are.

HudsonGray	11 Dec 2003
Bags are incredibly easy to make, even the lined ones. I had to do up 250 of them for my decks (Ferret Tarot) and while they're not drawstring done, they do have the ties sewn into the side seam which works really well. 1/4 yard will make you 2 lined bags with enough left over for one that isn't lined. That means you can get 18 bags out of one yard of fabric! The cording is cheap enough, in the craft section of the fabric store. If you use half priced markdown remnants from the bins, you can usually do up a pouch for far less than a dollar.

Star Spirit	11 Dec 2003
Thank you all for the wonderful information and suggestions, and once again, thank you Majecot for your offer :D I'm fine for now with what I have. And for you curious people who MUST know which deck I am ordering (lark, Majecot), I did post it in the Tarot Decks forum :) But for those of you who haven't seen the thread: I ordered the Celtic Dragon deck and book set. I've loved that deck for a long time and I'm ready for it! I also have the Quest Tarot and the Leonardo Da Vinci Tarot on my wishlist for the future.

Emily	11 Dec 2003
Hi Dead Star, I came across two bags just after receiving my Morgan Greer. I think they were supposed to be cosmetics bags. Both were the same and a bargain. Royal blue silk like material, with gold and silver embroidered dragons and I think lotus flowers, lightly padded inside with a matching blue cotton lining and zip topped. They are just the right size for a boxed deck. Usually these kind of cosmetic bags have water-proofed plastic linings but these are cotton. I was pleased with the quality and if I can get more, I'd like them for all of my decks :)

Sulis	11 Dec 2003
Emily, those bags sound really nice. Where are they from? All the places which make unusual tarot bags eg tarot totes seem to be in the States and the shipping costs are astronomical. The only bags I seem to be able to find in the UK are velvet or embossed velvet - not what I'm looking for as I already have some velvet bags which I made myself. Love and light Sulis xx

cjtarot	11 Dec 2003
Hi, I agree, making bags can be easy if you sew, if not..there are some great alternatives..There was even a post that where people were useing Crown Royal bags..yes the wonderul liquor...taking a beatuiful silk scarf, draw it up and tie with a nice ribon (or friendship bracelet..I like that) One thing I can add, if you are buying, get a bag with a lining..they are richer looking and last longer.. We even did a thread on the "how to" of making a bag you might be intereseted in,, http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10541&highlight=making+a+bag Keep in mind any material can do it..even cloths and scarves that have been "previously loved" AND for ebayer..as always don't buy until you know the actual total cost including shipping.. Bright blessings, The Bag Lady..hehe CJ

fairyhedgehog	11 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Sulis All the places which make unusual tarot bags eg tarot totes seem to be in the States and the shipping costs are astronomical. I've bought tarot totes bags and didn't think the shipping was too high (they are very light after all). But maybe the costs have gone up - how much were you quoted for P&P?

Emily	11 Dec 2003
Hi Sulis, I bought them off the local bric-a-brac market but they were all sealed up and new, I only paid £1 for each. I haven't seen this kind of bag in local shops, usually they are lined in plastic and not very nice outer material. They are supposed to be make-up bags I think lol. There isn't any labels in them to say where they've been made. When I go back round the market I always have a look to see if the lady has more on but up to yet she hasn't.

Sulis	11 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by fairyhedgehog I've bought tarot totes bags and didn't think the shipping was too high (they are very light after all). But maybe the costs have gone up - how much were you quoted for P&P? Fairyhedgehog I have to admit the enquiry I made was an awful long time ago. I'll have to drop them a line to see how much shipping will actually be. Emily, thanks for the reply, I had a feeling that you were going to say you'd got them from a market, don't you just love it when things like that happen. I found some really large velvet cushion covers last year in purple, green, moss green , gold and pink for 50p each :) Couldn't ever get them again though. C J I love your tarot cloth with the pockets in it. I can just see my Morgan Greer in one of those, the stars would go so well with the backs. Would you consider shipping to the UK? Love and light Sulis xx

Star Spirit	11 Dec 2003
Thank you guys :)

kelpy	12 Dec 2003
I just made one that is crocheted from cotton string ( like for dollies) its un-lined for now because I cant find a remenate that fits the color it even has a drawstring . looks like a vintage sack type purse. found the pattern on line.

Star Spirit	12 Dec 2003
Oh how I wish I remembered how to crochet :)

The Need a new tarot card bag thread was originally posted on 10 Dec 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.