Making an Altar Cloth

[MarieBay]

Preamble: about a month ago I moved to a new province for a job opportunity and had to leave most of my belongings back in the Maritimes, including almost all of my altar fixins. It's only for 6 months, but going that long without a focal point for worship hurts my brain a little.

Long story short, I'm finally settling in (wow! the Cauldron went through some great changes while I was away!) and beginning to put together a new altar. I'd like to make a new altar cloth to use in time for Samhain! I need ideas and nothing is too elaborate. I'm a visual artist specializing in textiles and fibre art (you name it I do it) so it would be awesome to make something really, really special. My old one was a gorgeous handwoven table runner from Mexico, sky blue with white peacocks and flowers.

Let's brainstorm! If you could make a super special altar cloth, what would it look like? What colours and textures would you use? What material would it be made from? Any imagery and surplus embellishment? I love surplus embellishment.



And if I put this thread in the wrong category, please accept my apologies! I wasn't quite sure where it would fit in...

[Miss]

Let's brainstorm! If you could make a super special altar cloth, what would it look like? What colours and textures would you use? What material would it be made from? Any imagery and surplus embellishment? I love surplus embellishment.

And if I put this thread in the wrong category, please accept my apologies! I wasn't quite sure where it would fit in...

It depends on what type of altar it is. One for a specific God/Goddess may require different things. However, I've always love golden brocade fabrics such as : http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.70452260.jpg as well as green/gold and red/gold

[PhantomQueen]

Preamble:

Let's brainstorm! If you could make a super special altar cloth, what would it look like? What colours and textures would you use? What material would it be made from? Any imagery and surplus embellishment? I love surplus embellishment.

And if I put this thread in the wrong category, please accept my apologies! I wasn't quite sure where it would fit in...

For me and Samhaintime, I'd do it as a tribute to Morrigan (my Matron)-deep red overlay in brocade or satin over a black velvet cloth. I'd get some extra candles and goodies to put on the altar afterwards (just wishing I had a bigger altar!)

[MarieBay]

It depends on what type of altar it is. One for a specific God/Goddess may require different things. However, I've always love golden brocade fabrics as well as green/gold and red/gold

It's going to be my general all-purpose altar cloth. There are four deities I work with so it would be nice to create a welcoming, gender-and-pantheon-neutral backdrop while giving a nod to the season. Silky brocades and PhantomQueen's suggestion to use yummy black velvet are making my brain go nuts with ideas for handwoven altar cloths!

Love love love the colour suggestions! Deep gold with a nice cranberry red... Mmm!

[Livia Indica]

Let's brainstorm! If you could make a super special altar cloth, what would it look like? What colours and textures would you use? What material would it be made from? Any imagery and surplus embellishment? I love surplus embellishment.

I've never had an altar cloth but you've got me thinking about it now. I'd like something made in the batik method. I might have to do that someday, it's been a while since I did any batik work. Let us know what you decide on and share pics if you like, that would be cool!

[MarieBay]

I've never had an altar cloth but you've got me thinking about it now. I'd like something made in the batik method. I might have to do that someday, it's been a while since I did any batik work. Let us know what you decide on and share pics if you like, that would be cool!

Of course! I've decided to design and weave the cloth. There's a technique called Overshot (popular in 18 and 19th century New England and Canadian coverlets) where you can actually translate words into a sort of code to make pattern. Yeah! You can literally weave spells in! And after a couple of hours of pattern-wrangling I've got something great to work with. I'll definitely post photos

I had this funny dream where I had woven a blue-green and white cloth and had it all set up in the altar in my old apartment, when my cat jumped on it. Not sure if it was in approval or disapproval, but maybe he just wanted to snuggle...