Our copy of the American Tract Society’s Crumbs from the Master’s Table features gold and blind blocking on its palm-sized front cover. #MiniatureMonday
Iβve finally put together a tutorial on how I make my drawstring bags. This is a method I worked on for myself on how to make them, so itβs up to you how you go about it, but this is my method.
You will need:
Fabric of your own choice. Iβm using black cotton from a cheap pillow case
Matching thread
Thread of a different colour (optional)
Needle OR a sewing machine if you prefer
String
Scissors
If your fabric is creased, I suggest ironing it first. You can use any size you like, but allow for 1/2β³ along the length and 1β³ along the ends of all sides.
Fold the sides and crease so that when you flip it over it is straight and even, stitch the sides in place using any method you wish using the same colour thread.
Fold in half so stitching is facing outward, and fold roughly an inch on each end so they are straight and neat along the top, make a crease. At this stage you can sew a symbol, sigil, anything you wish onto the front of the bag; Iβm going to miss this step out.
Cut two lengths of string (or cord, whichever you are using) that are long enough to wrap around the bag. Take one piece of string and fold it around one end of the bag, and do the opposite with the other end, so the two cross over, as shown above.
Using whichever thread you want, sew the top in place, keeping string out of the way, securing both ends. Repeat on other side, until you have something like the image above. You can do this however you like.
Whilst still turned inside out, sewn down the edges of the bag to fully construct it. You can then turn it the right way out.
Tie a knot on each pair of strings either side to secure them in place
This is what the bag should look like once turned the right way out. Iβm going to secure and tidy the edges up some more. This is optional, but it looks pretty if you use different colour thread.
Iβve just done a wrapping motion down the sides of the bag to strengthen and tidy the edges. Mine is a little roughly done, but yours can be really neat and tidy if you wish. Itβs entirely up to you how you go about making them, but this is just a basic tutorial. Hopefully it has helped a great deal!
Iβm not one to bury jars with spells, I prefer a more eco friendly option and like to use items that are natural or will break down.
I thought Iβd share some of the items I use...
Conker Shells
Toilet Roll Tubes
Sea Shells
Snail Shells
Nut shells (walnuts are great!)
Seed Heads/Pods
Large leaves (I use fig)
All of these are safer in my mind as glass carries a risk factor especially for my hole digging son.
Items can be sealed with soy wax or twine/ribbon such as hessian, cotton or silk which will break down far easier than synthetics.
Sigils still can be painted or drawn on many of the cases.
If I know Iβm going to bury a spell I like to try and incorporate flower or herb seeds (Nigella/Blessing seeds are a favourite) as when the casing breaks down the seeds will often germinate.
Right now they are ALL over the place. Take advantage of that. Nobody else really cares for them since they are "weeds." So use them to makewreaths, flower crowns, offerings, or teas :)
(Apollo likes them)
Physically the teas are also good for detox and skin health.
The dead ones with all the seeds are good for spellwork for wishes and manifestation.
Bucklandβs Complete Book Of Witchcraft- This book is a most have in every Wiccanβs (If you are) collection because of how informative it is. I highly recommend this book to really every witch who hasnβt read it yet.
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary PractitionerΒ - This book is also a very nice read, it has a perfect amount of information where you wont get information overload too quickly. Its unbiased and offers a great first start to starting the craft.
Wicca: by Harmony Nice- If you are a complete newbie to Wicca or the craft, then this is the book for you. This book is easy to swallow, and offers easy to understand information for newbies without being too difficult to process.Β
Of Witchcraft and whimsyΒ -Β I think this is the book for newbies who want to seek the more modern practices of witchcraft. This is a book that focuses more on the craft than Wicca itself. It is also complete with plenty of unique and fun spells perfect for beginner level.
Pastel Spells- A perfect book for newbies looking to try out spells of all types at a beginner level.
The Green Witch- Perfect for a beginning green witch, this book is complete with all the basics of Green magick complete with the correspondences of herbs and food, recipes, and basic practices and morals of a green witch.