As I mentioned in a couple of previous newsletters, I had a blog post draft on “dragon creative altar cloths.”
I had assembled the video a few months ago, and finally finished this blog post after a few months involving road trips, dragon outings, and relocation plans.
It’s a quiet and simple video with no narration, just a close-up look at some creative rituals and the textures of the fabrics.
Video
This post gathers them together as a companion to my earlier post on historical dragon altar cloths.
Note: This is not a sponsored post, as I enjoy browsing and selecting items I vibe with.
How I Use Them
TLDR: Depending on my mood, I use them as visual backdrops for writing, sketching, runes, tarot, and filming.
They’re part of my ongoing creative rituals expansion and exploration. I try to be intentional with purchases as I don’t like clutter or hoarding material that I end up not using.
Longer version: See below.
Cloth #1 — Large Creative Altar Cloth
This is a warm-toned, textured cloth that became the backdrop for sketching and journaling during winter indoor filming.
I liked the dramatic look and bold colors. It had a strong texture as well.
It feels like an energetic piece in my creative space.
Product Link: Chinoiserie Pattern Fabric Year of the Dragon Textile
Shop Link: HOUSEofFABRIKA (Etsy)
Cloth #2 — Small Tarot / Rune Cloth
Since one of my rune stones is a faux wood set (which I ended up using in this creative cloths video), I decided to take some photos of this piece on a wooden table setup as well.
I filmed both indoor and outdoor versions.
The outdoor version features my kambaba green rune stones set. I have a photo of one of those runes in a previous post…but I need to look in my folders for the short videos.
I’d use a larger fabric piece if I wanted this design for tarot cards, as a lot of cards would hide the dragon’s beautiful face.
The grounded and elemental feel of this pairs well with runes.
It can also be used for curtains, valances, or drapery for larger-sized home decor projects.
Product Link: 3 Colors – Chinoiserie Dragon Ogee
Shop Link: EileenDrapes (Etsy)
5. Cloth #3 — Tiny Dragon Bookmark Cloth
This was sold as a small bookmark to tuck into a page corner.
I sometimes like taking out just 1-2 rune stones when I want to focus on their meaning, so this item looked like it had a dual purpose as a micro-altar of sorts.
A tiny cloth for tiny rituals.
Product Links:
Shop Links:
- MegStoneDesignCo (maker of bookmarks and more)
- misentangledvision (fabric designer)
Cloth #4 — “Dragon Warriors” Maroon Fabric
If you live in Maine, you know about the Marden’s surplus store, and you may or may not know that they have a Bargain Tour (blog post about it coming up! 🚗).
I don’t sew much, but I do like browsing fabric because of the colors and detail.
This was a surprise find at my local Marden’s.
It was the only dragon fabric in the store that I came across, so obviously a swatch of it came home with me.
It works well as a subtle but still on-theme visual background.
Links:
Filming Notes
Since I hate sewing 😅…I had no idea which type of fabric might be good for filming.
I wanted to avoid the more satiny ones that might cause more of a glare on camera.
Tuppence Ha’penny’s article and Spoonflower’s grid were helpful to narrow down the fabric swatch option.
I’m planning to use these cloths for indoor more than outdoor filming.
I did put one of my fabric swatches into a Ziploc bag when I filmed something on rainy asphalt, which protected the cloth.
My fabric swatch collection will grow slowly, as I experiment with new ideas and seasonal setups.
As I should be moving quite soon, I’m curious to see how these small cloths will continue to accompany my creative practices.
For the historical altar cloths that inspired this project, see my earlier posts: