Okay, here’s my take on making a tarot cloth, shared like a casual blog post:
So, I’ve been wanting a nice cloth for my tarot readings for a while now. I looked around, but nothing really felt right, you know? Everything was either too plain, too flashy, or just…not my vibe. I figured, why not just make my own? I’m pretty crafty, and it seemed like a fun little project.
Finding the Right Fabric
First things first, I needed fabric. I hit up my local fabric store – I love wandering around those places, so many possibilities! I knew I wanted something with a good drape, not too stiff. And the color was important. I was leaning towards something dark, maybe a deep purple or a rich blue, to create that mystical kind of atmosphere.
I ended up finding this gorgeous, velvety fabric. It was a deep, deep blue, almost black, but with this subtle shimmer to it. It felt amazing to the touch, nice and soft. Perfect!
Getting the Size Right
Next up, I had to figure out the size. I laid out my tarot deck on the floor and kind of arranged the cards how I usually do for a reading. I wanted enough space for the spread, but not so much fabric that it would be overwhelming. I measured it out roughly, adding a few extra inches on each side for hemming. Seemed that 25 X 25 inches is perfectly fine.
Sewing (or Not Sewing!)
Okay, here’s where I confess: I’m not the best at sewing. I can do basic stuff, but I didn’t want to mess up this beautiful fabric with crooked seams. So, I cheated a little (don’t judge!). I used iron-on hemming tape. It’s seriously a lifesaver for people like me. You just fold the edges over, put the tape in between, and iron it. Boom! Instant hem, no sewing machine required.
- folded each edge over about half an inch.
- Iron it.
- folded it over again.
- Iron again.
I took extra care to get the corners nice and neat.
Adding Some Extra Touches (Optional)
The cloth looked great as it was, but I thought about adding some embellishments. I considered sewing on some beads or charms around the edges, or maybe even embroidering a simple design. But in the end, I decided to keep it simple. The fabric itself was so pretty, I didn’t want to distract from it. However, there is another choice to add some special decorations on the cloth, that is iron-on transfer paper, which can make unique design. I didn’t make it because I don’t have a printer now. I might do it next time.
The Finished Product!
And that’s it! My very own, handmade tarot cloth. It took me maybe an afternoon, including the fabric shopping. It feels so much more personal than anything I could have bought, and I love the way it looks and feels. I’ve already used it for a few readings, and it definitely adds to the whole experience. If you’re thinking about making your own, I say go for it! It’s easier than you might think, and it’s a really satisfying project.
