Tarot Deck Bags - Velvet, Satin, or Silk
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Jul 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Maly |
23 Jul 2004 |
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Hello, I am currently looking for storage for my tarot decks, and was wondering what material yours is made of.
Velvet, Satin, Silk, or whatever, and how you like it.
And any links to sites that sell Tarot Cloths/Spread, for storing and/or readings, will be appreciated.
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| ambermoon |
23 Jul 2004 |
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So far I only have a bag for one of my two decks. I had an embroidered white linen bag that seemed to suit my Goddess deck, so that's what I'm using. The bag has a silk lining. To describe further, the bag is embroidered with seventeenth century band sampler motifs in bright colored silks. Some of the motifs include a lovers' knot in gold metalic threads, carnations, and other flowers and leaves, all in stylized motifs. This project was a labor of love for me, and probably took six months to complete. So, even though it wasn't designed with the cards in mind, it's the most respectful gift I could give them. I'm developing a close personal relationship with this deck, learning about tarot from it, even though it's not the deck that most books recommend to beginners, and I am using it to learn about myself.
I'm thinking of some fabric collages for the other decks, including one of the card images, transfered to muslin. I haven't given it enough thought yet. I've had tarot decks in the house for years, but originally to enjoy the art. Just recently, they are taking on a more active role in my life and I want them to be more accessible to me.
I can see using velvet bags, especially in the winter. How cosy and cushy they would feel. Quite frankly, there's probably not a fabric that would feel wrong to me, unless it was so rough that it would make the cards feel uncomfortable. Like burlap. And maybe there's some rough and ready deck that I don't know about that would just love an earthy sack like that.
So, I got curious about what was available on the web for tarot bags, and checked a bunch of sites. I was rather disappointed. They were so plain, so trite, so generic. If someone can recommend an artist/a site with gorgeous, embroidered bags that are genuine fabric art, PLMK. I hae a Visconti deck that's just screaming out for a rich, gold and red brocaded bag with lots of jewels and embroidery on it.
Um, I think I have those fabric scraps. I'll talk to you later. I need to go sew something. Bye.
ambermoon
(who has been lurking for several days but just found something to talk about, big time!)
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| morandia |
23 Jul 2004 |
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I would lean toward velvet -both for the richness of color and the wonderful texture. Also, I have seen silk build up an electrical charge and be very "clingy"... some would argue I know but that's must my feeling... and satin..well... just not my material.
I choose bags to go with the deck - and usually make my own. One thing I do insist on is 100% natural materials, not man-made... for me the tarot is made up of natural energy, why would I want to cover it with something man-made? I lean toward the cottons actually - a heavy cotton that can be decorated with embrodery
oh well.. there's my opinion for what it's worth.. that and some change might get you a cup of coffee.....
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| Eco74 |
23 Jul 2004 |
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I made a silk drawstring bag for my Robin Wood when we were going away for two weeks and I wanted to bring the deck with me.
The inside is black silk and the outside is red silk. The drawstring and the "run" for the drawstring is made from a white/silver embroidered ribbon I found laying around.
Though it turned out a little big and bulgy, and having been made by scraps (old shirts I had not used for years but thankfully kept for the material alone) the deck seems to appreciate it's somewhat humble abode.
The next bag I make will be less of a work of haste..
But the material does not seem to be so very important, even though silk is the generally preferred material.
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| ambermoon |
23 Jul 2004 |
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Thanks for sharing the links. It's good to see that I'm not totally off the wall in trying to make something very exquisite to store my cards.
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| DeLani |
23 Jul 2004 |
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To me, it doesn't matter what the material is as long as it pleases my senses - it has to look nice and feel nice - and it matches the deck.
All my cards are in bags, and some are in boxes as well. A few - my new Thoth, Karma Music, Osho Zen, Nigel Jackson, and World Spirit - are in store-bought bags. But I make almost all my bags, and each bag has to fit the deck in both style and size. I put a lot of thought into choosing the fabric and style of the bag - since it only takes a little while to stitch one up. Mostly mine are patterned cotton, some are velvet, some lame', and one is even denim & Guatemalan woven (for my hippy World Spirit deck, of course!). My old Thoth was in a satin bag with gold foil pattern.
BTW - if your silk gets static-y, put a dryer sheet in a sinkful of cold water. Swish the sheet around till all the "stuff" is off it and in the water. Then put your silk in and swish around a minute or two, then squeeze out gently, rinse in cold water, squeeze out gently again, and let air dry. Never put your silk in the dryer.
It won't ever get static and will be extra soft. (A little trick I learned to take care of silk veils).
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| laura_borealis |
23 Jul 2004 |
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I have a cotton bag made by September Pixie's friend, and it's really nicely made. The fabric is cotton with an aurora borealis design (how appropriate!). The raw edges are serged and the drawstring casing is nice and snug. :)
I made a bag for my Faeries' Oracle earlier this week, out of brown velvet with a sort of embossed leafy pattern (not sure exactly how to describe it). The lining is a black raw silk/linen blend. I plan to make more bags for my other decks.
I made one that didn't work out because the outer fabric was too heavy -- beware of stiff brocades! :(
There are good instructions for making lined bags with no raw edges showing here. (It might take a minute for the image to load.)
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| Logiatrix |
23 Jul 2004 |
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Hi, Maly!
The search and investment of Personal Storage Tarot is my second favorite thing, right behind The Reason For It All: tarot decks! ;)
I am a fiend for finding just the right bag and cloth for my favorite decks, so consequently, each of the decks I use has the perfect bag and cloth for it at all times.
I don't use silk anymore, because of a suprising panic reaction I had to a spot of grease on a silk spread cloth, when I was doing a reading at Denny's last summer.
The cloth had been hand made and costly for my budget, with a velvet bag to match; it was the set I had purchased especially for my Visconti Gold.
I ultimately passed the set on in a trade, and put my deck in a cheap cosmetic bag so I could finally relax!
That incident showed me that expensive isn't neccessarily best, and now I'm much more likely to find deck bags at thrift shops, yard sales, and import stores for bargain prices, which keeps it fun.
I have found that it is best to let the deck determine it's own outfit, which has resulted in an enjoyable and happenstance journey for each deck's ensemble to materialize.
No, I don't mean the deck talks to me, haha...I'm referring to the personality of the deck, as in the theme, color, and mood the deck evokes.
For example, my Visconti Gold has moved from the cosmetic bag, and is now wrapped in a burgundy velvet cloth and housed in a brilliant fuschia brocade bag...the bag was from an import store for $7, and the cloth was from a trade.
My Zerner-Farber is in a cosmetic bag; it's a pretty white lace zippered case that I found at a thrift shop, and it matches the deck perfectly...for a spread cloth, I found an antique-white lace "table topper" at a little out-of-the-way gift shop that was having a 60% off sale--my price range, of course!
The only time I have surrendered to the expense of a tarot bag was when I found the perfect bag for my Healing with the Angels deck; it is dark blue velvet with a panel of intricate bead work on one side, and I paid...well...let's just say that it was more expensive than the deck itself. :eek:
I have also purchased tarot bags at my favorite metaphysical shops, as long as they were reasonably priced.
Tarot Totes is an on-line store with excellent prices for cotton and silk drawstring bags; my Celtic deck has a permanent home in one of the Tarot Totes ensembles that I got in a trade.
I say "permanent" because the cloth pattern matches the cards so well, it's uncanny; the bag will go with the deck, if I were to ever let it go.
The site offers excellent choices of cloth patterns to match decks, with the selections grouped by theme.
Anyway, here's where to find Tarot Totes:
http://www.tarottotes.com/
Also, don't forget about the trade forum here, where people are often offering bags for decks or books, and so on.
If I recall correctly, there are a few people here on AT who make lovely tarot bags for trade or very reasonable prices.
Like ambermoon, this is something I like to talk about, so pardon my rather verbose dissertation above! :D
EDITED to add: Here's a thread I ran into about the bags made by members here on Aeclectic:
http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?threadid=21265&highlight=tarot+bags
:)
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| lunalafey |
23 Jul 2004 |
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I have been making lines tarot bags lately. I have even put padding inbetween the two fabrics.
I stick with 100% natural fibers for sure...
Even the padding is 100% unbleached cotton.
by morandia
I have seen silk build up an electrical charge and be very "clingy"... some would argue I know
I would be one of those who disagree. True silk made from silk worms will not create that static charge- nor will any other natural fiber.
The 'silk' you speak of is polyester. Polyester has come a long long way since leasure suits...lol...these days it can be hard for the untrained eye to tell the difference between silk and poly blends. One way to know if it's natural or man made- put a flame to it & be ready to put it out.
Natural fibers will burn, man made will melt.
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| Tarot Sparrow |
23 Jul 2004 |
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It really doesn't matter to me. I make all my own deck bags, using whatever material/pattern appeals to me or suits the deck.
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| September Pixie |
23 Jul 2004 |
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Originally posted by laura_borealis
I have a cotton bag made by September Pixie's friend, and it's really nicely made. The fabric is cotton with an aurora borealis design (how appropriate!). The raw edges are serged and the drawstring casing is nice and snug. :)
wow! i have the same bag! :D Peggy is such a dear... I dont know how she finds the time to make them all! I also should probably add, if you see a bag and would like it lined, she can do that too :) Everyone be patient... shes making 4 more for me! :D lol
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| laura_borealis |
23 Jul 2004 |
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Originally posted by September Pixie
wow! i have the same bag! :D Peggy is such a dear... I dont know how she finds the time to make them all! I also should probably add, if you see a bag and would like it lined, she can do that too :)
Hey, cool! Matching bags. :) It's good to know that she will line them on request. I like the unlined bag, though -- it's not bulky and if I decided to get a spread cloth for that deck, it would fit easily. I have my Cosmic Tribe in the aurora borealis bag. :)
I should make some bags to sell. It really only takes a half hour or so to run one up, including ironing time. I need to get some cord for drawstrings, though -- shoelaces are fine for me, but I would want something nicer for selling! :)
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| Gardener |
24 Jul 2004 |
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Just throwing in my own two cents. I love collecting the bags almost as much as the decks! So many beautiful fabrics and textures, and sometimes embroidery too, a delicious occupation, and then the fun of matching bags to decks.
I recommend to all this site:
http://stores.ebay.com/Carma-Originals_W0QQsspagenameZl2QQtZkm
In case the link doesn't work, the company is Carma Originals, and she always has some bags listed on eBay in the $17 range. They are padded and silk lined, and very well made. I love them! The outer fabrics are all sorts, cotton, velvet, you name it, and she has a big collection and will send you scans to pick from.
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| hyatt |
24 Jul 2004 |
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You should really check out Kissa's ( I hope that is her name, I feel horrible that I can't remember the spelling :( ) bags. She is in South Africa and will send you pictures of them. Ladies make them there and put beautiful bead work on them. Incredible bags!!! Plus she puts a smaller bag in there with a stone and description of it's powers. I can't say enough about her bags...really charming. I have two. One of them even folds out so that you could do a small three card reading. It is very cool.
BUt I also make my own and I love making spread clothes. I hand sew small bells on the corners of mine and sometimes little gem beads. Spread clothes are really easy. Enjoy making new homes for your decks!
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| DesertHowler |
24 Jul 2004 |
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Well, right now, I'm in the process of making a buckskin bag for my Rock Art Tarot. It seems right. My Osho Zen is in a bag of velvet with some Runes on it. What ever feels good is what I go by.
DesertHowler
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| Le_Corsair |
24 Jul 2004 |
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I agree with Gardener about the Karma Originals bags, I have a beauty from them. They are a tad expensive, but use silk and custom pulls that are a little fancier than the ordinary knotted cord.
Another favorite of mine is Fotheringay's Blackford House, another eBay store. Her bags are well made of cotton materials, and priced very reasonably, with quick and inexpensive shipping. I can recommend these highly.
Bob :THERM
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| Kath |
25 Jul 2004 |
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I make my tarot bags and cloths out of a heavy satin. This satin doesn’t wrinkle, so my bags and cloths always look nice. It’s machine washable, and comes in all sorts of colours. Also, I find that the cloths stay nice and flat on the table during a reading, because of the weight of the fabric.
I have tried other fabrics, like silk, but have found they crush and wrinkle too easy. Also, my silk spread cloth is very lightweight and it makes it hard to pick up the cards without picking up the cloth at the same time.
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| Nycelle |
26 Jul 2004 |
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Originally posted by hyatt
You should really check out Kissa's ( I hope that is her name, I feel horrible that I can't remember the spelling :( ) bags. She is in South Africa and will send you pictures of them. Ladies make them there and put beautiful bead work on them. Incredible bags!!! Plus she puts a smaller bag in there with a stone and description of it's powers. I can't say enough about her bags...really charming. I have two. One of them even folds out so that you could do a small three card reading. It is very cool.
BUt I also make my own and I love making spread clothes. I hand sew small bells on the corners of mine and sometimes little gem beads. Spread clothes are really easy. Enjoy making new homes for your decks!
I think that's krystyna. From what I have heard, they are wonderful. I am considering getting one of them for a special deck. But all my decks are special!
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| Midnight |
26 Jul 2004 |
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I don't have a special bag for mine. Is it wrong to just keep them in the box they came in???
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| laura_borealis |
26 Jul 2004 |
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No, it's not wrong. :) Several of mine are still in their original boxes, too. It's just that some of us love to put our decks in special bags.
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| ambermoon |
26 Jul 2004 |
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Originally posted by Midnight
I don't have a special bag for mine. Is it wrong to just keep them in the box they came in???
You must be very gentle with your things. I am all thumbs when it comes to opening boxes and don't like fussing with trying to slip the booklet in and not mangle it on the bottom flap of the box. And I was afraid to leave my cards lying out on the table. My cat considers any paper or card lying about to be hers.
So, when I found out that some people keep their cards safe in bags or wooden boxes, I was inspired to use my fabric art skills and am making bags for mine, using the style of the deck for inspiration.
I've seen some very beautiful, well-made, and serviceable bags on all the sites mentioned above. They just weren't what I envisioned when I saw the words tarot deck bag.
So, hanging on to my slightly Rococo vision, this is what I'm making for my Pocket Goddess Tarot:
A multi-shaded striped bag made of supple gold warp-faced raw silk. A patch of light blue silk, the size of the cards, is framed with gold braid. Interpreted from the Ace of Pentacles is a gold coin with a blue beaded pentagram, edged with a narrower, scalloped, gold braid and embellished with light orange beads. Sprouting from behind the pentacle, five gold veined leaves, resembling the treetop of the inspiration card.
That's as far as I am with this bag, and the rest will be:
Lining--to be plain white silk.
Closure, a flat gold cord to be wrapped around three times for luck, and tied. Maybe decorative knots on the ends of the cords, or maybe I will echo the leaf motifs. Or both, since I am clearly not a minimalist when it comes to design.
But I digress. I latched firmly onto the idea of fabric bags because it is something familiar and creative to keep my hands busy as I embark on my tarot journey. I shouldn't think them a necessity. Mine are a luxury and a self-indulgence at worst, and at best they are a gift to my Goddess, flowing back the fruits of the creativity She has given me.
ambermoon
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| 13thFaeChylde |
26 Jul 2004 |
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I shouldn't have looked at the links.
Now that I have opened this bag, so to speak ;), how much are these lovelies that your friend makes?
I looked on the ebay site, but the bags there weren't as pretty as yours, so I want to know what the ballpark rate of bags like yours are.
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| September Pixie |
26 Jul 2004 |
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they were all custom :) Peggy I think charges $25-$35 for the bag and cloth sets (price varies depending on fabrics & embelishments +time) The fairy bag alone, I think was $10-15 but I cannot be sure (it was the first bag she made for me) and it has a lot of cut work on it :D
She's really flexible too if you have an idea in mind, just drop her an email, shes fast and always reasonibly priced.. she's making me 4 more like the dragon bag & cloths in different fabrics :) I'll be sure to post pics of them as well! She also sends you final pics for approval before shipping. :) Tell her that Nina sent you and I am sure she'll be more than fair ;) I've bought so much from her... new decks = new bags! YIPPIE! lol
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| September Pixie |
27 Jul 2004 |
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I emailed Peggy and she said that prices depend on fabrics :) but she is more than willing to work with AT members :) So please let her know you are from here :)
She's had a bit of chaos at her home this week so her store is being restocked very soon. :)
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| Goldenhair |
27 Jul 2004 |
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It's probably because I'm a guy, but I have never wanted to store my cards in a bag. They reside quite happily in handsome, old hankerchiefs I pick up at flea markets and antique shops. They are usually made of cotten or linen, as these fabrics can easily be hand washed and pressed. And are not that expensive.
I have a few decks in wooden boxes I have picked up on vacation. My RWS rests in a box I bought in Hawaii. My Thoth does well in a carved box I picked up at Pier One years before I bought the deck.
If any deck has to travel out of the house, it gets wrapped in a second hankerchief, usually white and purchased from K-Mart. It protects the finer hankerchief and can double as a reading cloth, if necessary.
My Cosmic Tribe is wrapped in vibrant 60's style print napkin I recieved from my aunt after I admired it at her house. :) One of my favorites.
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| laura_borealis |
27 Jul 2004 |
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That's a lovely idea. I've seen some really beautiful vintage handkerchiefs at antique stores. I have a small collection, though I tend to use them for headscarves (if they're large enough) or for their original purpose... :)
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| Flavio |
27 Jul 2004 |
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Recently in a handcrafts fair I got two nice bags meant to be girls purses, they resulted great for a Hanson Roberts and a World Sprit decks.
The bag for the Hanson Roberts is red painted chamois (just like the original deeck box) and the one for the World Spirit is made with of a fiber which is obtained from certain type of cactus, they look great with decks inside and they are very well done that deck do not suffer any damage inside. :)
I think decks can be stored as you like if it feels OK for you.
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| Le_Corsair |
27 Jul 2004 |
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Originally posted by Goldenhair
It's probably because I'm a guy, but I have never wanted to store my cards in a bag.
Just for an example, here is a bag which I doubt you'll think is effeminate:
Bob :THERM
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| laura_borealis |
27 Jul 2004 |
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Where did you get that great fabric, Bob? :D
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| lunalafey |
27 Jul 2004 |
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BOB!!!
that bag is perfect for my Tarot of the Dead!!!
It's obvious that the fabric is a tribute to Dia De Los Muertos
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| Jeanette |
27 Jul 2004 |
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The skeleton bag fabric is awesome! Anyway, I have bags I've made, and bags I've bought, and boxes, too! But, it seems mostly I just like to cover the box with clear contact paper, and clear shipping tape for reinforcement if needed. That way, I can just grab-n-go! The most useful bag I have, though, is a black satiny-type with little beads and a zipper across the top,from the dollar store of all places!
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| Le_Corsair |
28 Jul 2004 |
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Originally posted by laura_borealis
Where did you get that great fabric, Bob? :D
Jump back to page 1, I think, and you'll see the link to Fotheringay's Blackford House, she sells them for less than ten dollars a bag. :) (and yah, when she shows a photo of them, she usually uses a Tarot of the Dead for a reference deck. :) )
Bob :THERM
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| Sillanza |
28 Jul 2004 |
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I'm a knitter ... so naturally I've been thinking about knitting the perfect bag for some of my decks. Obviously, it would have to be lined, and washable. Has anyone had any problems with knitted bags? Durability isn't too much of a concern, since I'm the production house. :) I'm thinking a nice cotton yarn; most others may be too soft (or itchy!).
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| laura_borealis |
28 Jul 2004 |
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Thanks, Bob :)
Sillanza, I think a knitted bag would be perfect. Someone else around here has made knitted tarot bags, I believe. If I could progress beyond finger-knitting I might make one myself... :P
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| Niomi |
28 Jul 2004 |
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I assemble matchboxes made to fit from cardboard and heavy duty tape for my cards. They're not pretty, but they're durable, they're protective, and they keep the cards from curving in humid weather. To dress up my deck's home, I keep the cardboard box wrapped in a scarf and placed in a velvet bag. I store the velvet bag in a pretty, ornately carved wooden box I picked up from water beds 'n stuff, that is when my deck is not traveling with me in my leather fanny pack.
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| hyatt |
28 Jul 2004 |
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You are not alone goldenhair, I have my Buckland romani in my grandfather's old hankerchief. I only have a few memories of him so it is a nice reminder.
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| full deck |
29 Jul 2004 |
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Originally posted by Maly
Hello, I am currently looking for storage for my tarot decks, and was wondering what material yours is made of. . . .
I store some decks in the same drawer with my whites (T-shirts, underware). I only worry about humidity since my thoughts are very pure, thus I use cotton . . . :-)
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| Eco74 |
29 Jul 2004 |
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I have a piece of linen I'm planning to use for a couple of tarot-card-bags but since this fabric is a bit stiff I was wondering if any of you could give me a hint or two on how to soften it.
Don't want it waring out the corners of the box or scuffing the deck...
There is fabric softner but I'm not all that thrilled about having my natural floral fibers with its rugged "hay-drygrass-type" fragrance smelling all roses and there just don't seem to be any naturelle softners out there... Then there is the "ware it out" method, but short of laying it out on a busy street to be manhandled by a few hundred cars that would take forever.
Any tips on baths I can use?
Salts? Other types of plants?
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| ambermoon |
29 Jul 2004 |
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Fabric softener wouldn't do much for new linen anyway.
Handling, crumpling and laundering vigorously are the best things to do. Any natural soap is fine. It's the abrasion you want, so put the linen in the wash with some tough stuff, such as jeans that no longer fade, and run several long, hot washing cycles. Laundry was never so much fun, eh?
It would be a good idea to line the bag with cotton anyway. Extra softness and protection for your deck.
The great thing about softened linen is that it no longer wrinkles madly. The fibres relax.
ambermoon
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| Eco74 |
29 Jul 2004 |
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Thankyou Ambermoon. I'll get right on washing when I get home from work. :o)
*starts pondering what else I could do with the fabric*
I've been slitely against the linen/cotton mixes but maybe I could do a lining with that anyway. The point IS to protect the deck after all and not just to "stick to the straight and narrow fabric path".
Also, I have this insanely soft fabric already, white but still it could well do the trick for atleast one of the bags. (The other calls for something not-so-light-and-bright.) I'm not sure if it's all just cotton though. Must check..
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| ambermoon |
01 Aug 2004 |
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Words are a poor substitute for pictures, so instead of stumbling around any further, trying to describe the textural richness of my tarot bags, I'll share a link to my Goddess Tarot Bag (for the pocket size cards):
http://www.collagespace.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=15&fullsize=1
This is very different from most of the tarot bags I've seen, though SeptemberPixie's and Peggy seems to go in a similar direction in using the deck as an inspiration for design of the bag.
ambermoon
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| laura_borealis |
01 Aug 2004 |
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that's gorgeous! :) did you make it?
ETA: oops! I needed to re-read the thread. Of course you made it!
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| laura_borealis |
01 Aug 2004 |
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Last night at the laundromat, I found a beautiful scrap of black velvet that someone had thrown away. I washed it with my clothes and am going to use it for a bag for my Tarot of Prague. Seeing ambermoon's amazing needlework has inspired me to do something more than a simple drawstring bag for this one. I'm not sure where I'll go with it, but I want something unique and extra-special for this deck.
*must go play with deck for inspiration*
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| ambermoon |
01 Aug 2004 |
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Did I make this bag? It was partnership effort between my mother and me. We collaborated on the design and fabric selection, bouncing ideas off each other. I made the patterns and sewed, and then she beaded.
We're now going through the same process for a corresponding spread cloth, with plain light blue silk in the center, striped silk borders, and designs inspired by the suits in each the corners.
We operated a costume shop for several years, and have finally found something worthy of all the pretty snippets of silks and brocades that we have. We are also working on a rich, brocaded red bag for my Visconti Sforza deck. The cards seem so sad and worn that they need some bright and noble bag, with the Visconti coat of arms on it, of course.
ambermoon
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| Jeanette |
01 Aug 2004 |
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And, how extra-special it is because you and your mom made it together! That's so awesome and I'm sure give an extra "energy" to your readings!
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| Calliope |
01 Aug 2004 |
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Wow, I wish I could make something half as beautiful as the ones in the pics! I have to admit, I'm a sucker for Fotheringay's (eBay) tarot bags as well. I recently bought two (my Gendron and Moon Garden tarot decks looked lonely) and I was amazed at the quality. A long time ago, I bought another tarot bag (online on Yahoo! Auctions, I believe) and was a little disappointed in it (cheap ribbon drawstring, nothing special). But these... I bought one where the primary color is purple with blue flowers, green vines, and a celtic knot pattern on it. The other's background is a dark purple with green vines and lighter purple flowers on it. Both bags' drawstrings are a wonderful quality of braided cord, and the bags are just beautiful. They're both made of cotton I believe, but a really good quality of cotton. :) I was so happy upon receiving them! There was also a blue fern tarot bag that I could just kick myself for not buying. It hasn't been up for auction in awhile.
Maybe I should bust out my creative side and try making my own. If I only I knew how to work a sewing machine. LOL
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| KidCatheter |
02 Aug 2004 |
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I have a US Games Oswald Wirth deck that my Pisces mother bought me as a birthday gift. It's the only deck I have and the one I've been using to learn.
I keep the cards wrapped in a mostly cotton 1 3/4 foot square checker pattern cloth that I use to lay spreads on. My ma hemmed the cloth, and I keep it bound with a woman's hair tie.
At night I put them in a wooden box that was originally used for smoked slamon. It was a gift from an old friend of my mom's. The box has a beautiful inuit style fish on the lid, which I taped a blank card to the opposite side of. I tie the box shut with a leather shoe string, once again from my mother, and keep it under my bed while I sleep (reminiscent of the blind man in "Los Olvidados" [a black and white picaresque mexican film directed by luis bunuel, definitely check it out] who ties a dove to the bed post beneath a sick woman's bed to cure her ills).
When I take the cards out with me I keep them wrapped in the checkered cloth and put them in a bag (it's a purse, they tell me) that I wear, along with my Tarot for Beginners book (by P. Scott Hollander). The bag is a Colombian Mochila made by the Tayrona indians of the Carribean cost. It's made of a sort of rough tought wool material sewn in some incredibly complex and unique manner. It has red, blue, grey and black stripes encircling it. The Mochilas are actually unisexually worn in their tribe, and they were one of the tribes that the Spaniards declared Pagan Sinners because they were completely visually undestinguishable between male and female. I picked the bag up last summer on a trip to the coast with my cousins. You probably wouldn't be able to find one outside of South America, and not as cheap as you'd be able to find them in Santa Marta. It's a big bag, I keep other stuff in it too. Regular everyday stuff. Is that bad juju?
The deck originally came in a flimsy little blue cardboard box, which I still have all beat up somewhere. When I first learned to use the Tarot, I only carried the majors around with me in a folded up piece of paper. This reminded me of the way they sell fish in a fishermans market, i.e. wrapped in News Paper. That's when I started getting IDEAS. Most of my Tarot care systems I kind of instinctually concocted (the checkered cloth, the box, the bag), I really just kind of went with the flow, which turned out to be a fishy one. I taught myself to read tarot and have never consulted another Tarotist about any of this. I was excited to find this thread, and even more excited to hear about how other people take care of their cards. I became a member, like, a week ago, this is quite the good place to share info and Ideas. I definitely like to hear peoples ideas.
Kid
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| Summerdream |
02 Aug 2004 |
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[quote]Originally posted by Logiatrix
[b]
Tarot Totes is an on-line store with excellent prices for cotton and silk drawstring bags; my Celtic deck has a permanent home in one of the Tarot Totes ensembles that I got in a trade.
I say "permanent" because the cloth pattern matches the cards so well, it's uncanny; the bag will go with the deck, if I were to ever let it go.
The site offers excellent choices of cloth patterns to match decks, with the selections grouped by theme.
Anyway, here's where to find Tarot Totes:
http://www.tarottotes.com/
I second Tarot Totes. All of my decks except the Gilded which has a box and the Illuminated which has it's own tote are housed in Tarot Totes bags. Betty and Dick are wonderful people and will offer suggestions to match your decks. I love the quality of their totes and cords and Betty will reiki your bags for no additional charge on request. For the price, they are exceptional. I continue to buy my totes from Tarot Totes. So far I have 5 baskets full on totes in my bedroom. All the different patterns and colors look very lovely. Tarot Totes comes highly recommended!
Summerdream
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| Sillanza |
03 Aug 2004 |
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So, I knitted a bag. I made it envelope-style. It's a blue variegated cotton yarn. It's big enough for a fairly large deck, and perhaps a carefully folded cloth or other items as well. I decided not to line it, and am up in the air as to whether I'll install a zipper, or a button closure. I used a small seashell pattern stitch -- it seemed like a natural given the yarn color. I used a more durable stitch for the bottom 1-1/2", and it only required minimal seam sewing. (I could have knitted it in the round, but I dislike bags that are gathered.) It took less than one small 56.7 g (2 oz.) ball of Sugar and Cream cotton.
I used a very simple method. Here it is, if anyone is interested. Choose the pattern of your choice. Plan to make a square about 8" wide and approximately 6" tall, not counting the flap portion. I used US size #7 needles.
The pattern I used called for a cast on of 57 stitches. I knitted the bottom 1-1/2" in seed stitch (or other durable stitch of your choice), then began the pattern. I knitted in pattern for about 5", and then knitted the last 1" in seed stitch, or until it looked tall enough for the largest deck I have. On the next right side row, I then bound off the first 1/2 of the stitches, and continued working the remaining stitches in seed stitch, decreasing every row or so until I ended up with a nice point. Of course, you could just continue to work even until the flap is the length you'd like or instill any other creativity, and then bind off.
I then sewed the bottom and side seams, with the right sides together. After turning, the bottom really does form a nice fairly square shape without any other blocking or forming. I guess the only caveat would be that if you choose not to line the bag, be mindful of the pattern you choose. Nothing too open, or you might lose something!
That's it! Easy squeezy. Ah, the zen of combining tarot and knitting. I think my Quest deck would like something in nice alpaca, however ... ;)
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| hyatt |
03 Aug 2004 |
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Ambermoon that is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| ambermoon |
03 Aug 2004 |
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Thank you for your kind words!
I am itching to go fabric shopping. It's like costuming a new show, only the players are all cards! The garment district here in NYC has the best, most vibrant, richest fabrics. They were often too $$$ for full scale costumes, but not so for these little jewel-like bags.
I was up in Massachusetts last weekend (not Salem, alas) but was in a shop that had great "American primitive" style textiles and came away with an idea of a bag for the Halloween deck (not to mention with a bag full of fabrics as well)
I don't know if there is a market niche for what we are doing or not. I suppose we could make up two of everything and find out. I'm not sure if it's appropriate to discuss that here. My apologies if it is not, and I will edit out this paragraph if requested.
ambermoon
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| 13thFaeChylde |
03 Aug 2004 |
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ambermoon~*~
Your bag is sooo gorgeous!!
My husband used to make beaded jewelry to sell at Pow Wows, maybe I can persuade him to make little beaded lovelies for me. You've inspired me to go fabric shopping and to drag out my machine :)
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| psychiclayla |
03 Aug 2004 |
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Wow Ambermoon, that bag is gorgous! I make all my own Tarot bags (but nowhere near as elaborate as that one). My latest creation was for a friend - Purple satin with an orange ribbon and the words "Touch Not Mine Cards, For A Demon Will Smite Thee..." I made it with her 3 kids in mind. Sticky fingers and Tarot do not go well together! She had a good giggle when she read it. I too love being able to make stuff out of all the scraps of fabric that are too pretty to throw away. I have just about got to the end of my scrap bag now so I guess I'll have to go out and buy some fabric. Of course then I'll have too many bags and I'll have to buy some more cards to put in them...
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| hyatt |
03 Aug 2004 |
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Ambermoon I am vertain that there is a niche for those bags! as I was looking I was wondering if you did comissions. It looked like so much work that I didn't even want to ask, thinking that you might be insulted. All that work and then it goes somewhere else!
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| 13thFaeChylde |
03 Aug 2004 |
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Originally posted by ambermoon
I don't know if there is a market niche for what we are doing or not. I suppose we could make up two of everything and find out. I'm not sure if it's appropriate to discuss that here. My apologies if it is not, and I will edit out this paragraph if requested.
ambermoon
On second thought, knowing me, it will be a year or so before I start on a bag- lol. If you decide to do commissions, I'd love one or five :D
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| cjtarot |
03 Aug 2004 |
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Hi,
I keep watching this thread and am so amazed at the beautiful work. I love all the bags I have seen so far. I like the ones with different textures and fringe..Love fringe but have never tried it..
I think my next bag will be something a bit richer than my normal. I have so may scraps of lovely material...I'm just gonna have to sit and sew..
Ambermoon,
you mentioned NYC Garment District (will have to find it someday)..have you ever tried the dress shops in China Town, thats where I get scraps when I'm in "The City"
THANKS FOR SHARING
CJ
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| WolfyJames |
04 Aug 2004 |
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Oh my! You have all such pretty bags, that I feel embarassed with the ones I've made so far. This is what happens when you're broke and that you HATE sewing. ;) Keep up the good work!
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| ambermoon |
04 Aug 2004 |
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Thanks for the feedback. :) I don't think we will be able to do something this tiny on a commisison basis--the balance between design time and value is a difficult one. Maybe we can do some very limited collections. We're encouraged to try, based on everyone's kind words.
ambermoon
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| Amrita |
05 Aug 2004 |
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It's all so lovely ... I'm already counting my money and half on my way to the fabric store in the city where I could look for all these nice fabics and cloths ... today my sewing machine will clatter.
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| Kath |
05 Aug 2004 |
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In preparation for buying the Golden Tarot for my birthday, I went to a fabric shop to check out some suitable tarot bag fabric.
I found a gorgeous pale gold satin, with black flowers on it. It should be perfect for my soon-to-be acquired deck. :) When I eventually make it, I’ll post a pic.
I’m planning on getting the Whimsical Deck in the next few months too, and I can just picture that in a pale pink bag with butterflies or even a blue gingham bag.
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| Majecot |
06 Aug 2004 |
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My favortie bags are the homemade variety, and the material just has to be pretty and feel good ;)
I make most of mine myself, and I have made a few for some others as well, but I do confess, I have purchased two silk lined homemade bags from Carma Originals. She does beautiful work.
I have only one spread cloth that I use for all of my decks, even though I had intended it for my Faeries. I made it big enough to fit my largest deck.
here is the link to the picute I had posted of it a while back.
spread cloth thread
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The Tarot Deck Bags - Velvet, Satin, or Silk thread was originally posted on 23 Jul 2004 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.
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