How to Make Your Own Tarot Cloth
How to Make Your Own Tarot Cloth
How to Make Your Own Tarot Cloth
A tarot cloth isn’t just a piece of fabric—it’s a personal, intentional surface that protects your cards, defines your reading space, and sets the mood for your practice. While you can certainly purchase one, making your own adds meaning and a touch of creative energy to every reading. Whether you're a beginner with basic supplies or a crafter at heart, creating your own tarot cloth is a fulfilling project that enhances your connection to your deck.
This guide will walk you through the simple process of designing, creating, and caring for a handmade tarot cloth that’s both practical and personal.
Why Use a Tarot Cloth?
A tarot cloth serves several purposes. It protects your cards from dust, dirt, and rough surfaces. It also defines your reading space, helping you mentally shift into a focused and sacred mindset. A well-chosen or well-made cloth can also complement the themes, colors, or vibe of your deck.
When you make your own, you get to decide what energy or symbolism to weave into it—through color, pattern, and intention.
Step 1: Choose the Right Fabric
The fabric is the foundation of your tarot cloth. Look for something that’s soft, easy to fold, and gentle on your cards.
Good fabric options include:
- Cotton
- Linen
- Silk (if you want something elegant and lightweight)
- Velvet (for a rich, luxurious feel)
Avoid overly stiff or slippery materials, and check that your chosen fabric doesn’t snag or shed. Solid colors or subtle patterns work best so they don’t distract from your spread.
Size Suggestions: A standard square around 18 to 22 inches works well for most tarot spreads. If you use larger spreads or want more space, you can go up to 24 to 36 inches. You can also make smaller cloths for single-card draws or altar setups.
Step 2: Prepare the Fabric
Once you’ve chosen your material, prepare it:
- Wash and dry the fabric to remove any chemicals or stiffness.
- Iron it smooth to make cutting and decorating easier.
- Cut it into a square or rectangle, depending on your preference.
You can leave the edges raw, hem them with a sewing machine, or hand-stitch for a more rustic feel. If you don’t sew, use fabric glue or iron-on hemming tape to secure the edges and prevent fraying.
Step 3: Add Personal Touches
This is where your creativity can shine. Decorating your tarot cloth with intention adds symbolic meaning and turns it into a ritual object, not just a backdrop.
Ideas include:
- Painting or stamping symbols: Use fabric-safe paints or inks to add moons, stars, elements, zodiac signs, or personal symbols.
- Embroidery: If you sew, try stitching borders, protective runes, or meaningful shapes.
- Tie-dye or batik: Create a one-of-a-kind color pattern.
- Appliqué: Add layers of decorative fabric for texture and design.
Even a simple border in a contrasting thread color can make your cloth feel unique and intentional.
Color Meaning Suggestions:
- Black: Protection, grounding, mystery
- White: Clarity, purity, spiritual focus
- Purple: Intuition, insight, transformation
- Green: Growth, healing, balance
- Blue: Calm, communication, trust
Choose a color that matches your reading goals, your deck’s tone, or your personal energy.
Step 4: Cleanse and Dedicate Your Cloth
Once your cloth is finished, take a moment to energetically cleanse it. You can do this by:
- Laying it in sunlight or moonlight for a few hours
- Gently waving incense or herbs nearby (if you use smoke)
- Using sound, such as a bell or singing bowl
- Holding it in your hands and visualizing it being cleared and charged
After cleansing, you might dedicate it with a small ritual or affirmation, such as, “This cloth is a sacred space for insight, clarity, and growth.”
Step 5: Use and Care for Your Tarot Cloth
When using your tarot cloth:
- Spread it on your reading surface to define your space
- Use it as a wrap to store your deck for protection and alignment
- Take it with you for travel readings to create a clean, familiar energy
To care for it, hand wash or gently machine wash on cold depending on your fabric and decorations. Store it folded neatly, or wrap your cards with it when not in use.
Final Thoughts
Making your own tarot cloth is a creative, mindful way to deepen your relationship with your cards and your practice. It doesn’t require expert sewing skills or expensive materials—just intention, care, and a willingness to make something that reflects your energy.
Whether you create something simple and clean or ornate and symbolic, the process itself becomes part of your tarot ritual. Every time you lay out your cloth, you’re stepping into a space you crafted with purpose. That energy stays with you—and in your readings—for a long time to come.
