Rags to Riches

From Rags to Riches, the woman understood the worth of objects. She was not one to hastily throw things away, especially material items. The assortment of jars stored beneath her sink were meticulously cleaned and preserved for future use. Once the newspaper had fulfilled its role as a bearer of news, it found a second life igniting the nightly fire.

The woman understood that saving material things was only part of the equation; the energy within them was equally crucial. For example, she meticulously labeled jars to ensure like contents were stored together, enhancing rather than disrupting the energy. As for the newspaper, its destiny hinged on the narrative it carried. At times, she would scrunch it up, cast it into the flames, and expel the entire batch. On other occasions, when the story brought warmth to her heart, she would gently fold the paper, tuck it beneath the logs, and dispatch that positive energy to where it could do the most good.

She was a firm believer in the principle of 'waste not, want not,' especially when it came to old clothing. Observing the villagers during their daily activities, she noted the garments they wore on their happiest days. Once these items appeared in the local thrift shop, she would promptly acquire them. Buttons were meticulously removed and preserved. Any hand-stitched embroidery or appliqués were carefully detached for later use. The remaining fabric was transformed into squares or strips, becoming the basis of her exquisite patchwork quilts and rag rugs.

Rag rugs present a wonderful opportunity for a bit of Fiber Magic. Much like the Weaver, you can repurpose well-loved clothing and household textiles into items imbued with all those cherished emotions. I own a rug in my kitchen that brings me joy, even if it signifies I'm about to wash dishes. Smaller crafts, such as placemats or coasters, can also be created in this fashion. A trivet is not only practical in the kitchen but can serve a purpose on an altar as well. Consider for a moment: how do we ensure the fabric holds the precise energy we seek? Through Fiber Magick, we can infuse it with the desired essence ourselves.

Here's what you'll need:

- A piece of fabric that doesn't fray excessively

- Fabric paints or markers

- A quality pair of fabric scissors

- An extra-large crochet hook (size N or larger)

I utilized a 12" section of 36" fabric, which was part of a collection given to me by a friend. This particular fabric already had a positive energy, so I chose to use it. If you purchase fabric from a large retailer or chain store, you might consider smudging it with sage smoke as a precaution. The same applies to items from a thrift store, but my personal guideline is to avoid anything that doesn't feel right, regardless of its appearance.

Once your fabric is ready, it's time to infuse it with your intentions using symbols. I adorned the cloth with peace signs, hearts, dollar signs, goddess figures, moons, and stars. You may choose to focus on a single symbol or invent your own runes. However, for a versatile working altar, a variety of symbols is ideal. The subsequent step involves cutting the fabric into strips. Half-inch strips are typically manageable. You can meticulously measure each strip or opt for a more spontaneous approach. As long as your scissors are sharp and your hand steady, the result should be satisfactory. This process of cutting, which I refer to as Deconstruction, is an opportunity to reflect deeply on your intentions.

Now is the time to realign our intentions by connecting the ends of our strips. Achieve this by creating a small slit at the end of each strip. The simplest method is to fold the end over and make a small cut with the tip of the scissors.

1. Thread one strip through the slit of another.

2. Weave the second strip through the slit of the first.

3. Gently tug on the strips.

You will then have a connection that minimizes obstruction as you work towards completing your project.

This task is quite intricate and demands concentration. It's ideal for refocusing your intentions. By the time you've created a tidy ball of fabric yarn, you should have a very distinct vision in mind.

By creating three balls of yarn, you can braid them together; this is the traditional method for crafting braided rag rugs, which spiral outward from the center. The process can seem quite enchanting. Simply secure the braid with needle and thread as you work, perhaps humming a melody like "Lady Spin" or "The Circle is Open." As for me, I'm a hooker by trade, so that's the method I'll use to bring my intention to life.

The amount of yarn used created a 6" x 6" square, ideal for holding a candle or a hot incense burner. Such a coaster could also protect a table from splashes from a bowl of water or oil.

Infuse

Deconstruct

Realign

Manifest

Stay Crafty, Opal Luna