Matterial for Altar Cloth

[Godgifu]

Hey there, figures this section was the best place for posting this.

I am trying to think of some good materials to use for altar cloth -- ideally it should be something fire retardant and easy to clean (ash, wax and oil stains are the usual issues I find.)

So far wool is all that's coming to mind, but maybe there are some other ideas?

[Shawn Blackwolf]

In my Faery Tradition...

Flax is preferred...


Hey there, figures this section was the best place for posting this.

I am trying to think of some good materials to use for altar cloth -- ideally it should be something fire retardant and easy to clean (ash, wax and oil stains are the usual issues I find.)

So far wool is all that's coming to mind, but maybe there are some other ideas?

[Deerwoman]

As long as it is a natural fibre, I don't think you can go wrong. If you're looking for something waterproof and durable I'd recommend a cotton poplin. Poplin fabric can be found in other natural fibres too, but cotton is the easiest to clean. Wool in general must be dry cleaned or spot cleaned, so while durable it is perhaps not the best fibre for your needs.

[alwaysfallingup]

I second the suggestion of cotton. It is light, versatile, you can get it in a billion pretty prints, and it's totally washable. It will also not melt if you spill hot wax on it like some synthetics might. If you want to keep it super nice, just be sure and place trays, plates, or small circles of aluminum foil under your candles and incense so that any ashes or wax don't make it to the fabric underneath. Good luck finding something you like!

[Neville]

Black or Purple velvet is ever so Aesthetically effective..Not so sure about it's Fire retardancy tho,

I suppose the best thing to do is remember in candle magic to be careful and safe.

[watersprite]

My Mothers' tables are covered with glass to protect them. I have the freedom of using just about anything. My favorite is silk, since it takes colors so well.

[brymble]

In my Faery Tradition...

Flax is preferred...

Linen (flax) is flammable as hell if it isn't treated with a flame-retardant. It's also a bitch to get candle wax out of. And oil stains...get used to them because they aren't going anywhere. If you can protect the cloth with trays or a glass top, it's beautiful fabric that can be either delicate or rustic, depending on the weave. And it doesn't age that well (I mean over the very long term.) I used to have some vintage and antique table linen that belonged to my grandparents, and the fibers get brittle and yellow over time.

Velvet may be fire resistant if it's synthetic. Cotton or silk velvet may be flammable. However, when it comes to candle wax...when I was taking theatrical costume design & construction in college and I asked my costume instructor what to do about candle wax in velvet. Her response was "you cry". You can get some of it out with an iron and an absorbent cloth, but not very well.

I would recommend wool. It's naturally flame-resistant, and resists staining. Oil stains may show, but not as bad as some other fabrics.

If you want a fun print or pattern, look for fabrics that are approved for children's sleepwear. These are usually poly-cotton blends that are flame retardant. You may be able to find a cute stars-and-moons or woodland floral print.

Those wonderful Indian print natural cotton tapestries are beautiful, and tempting to use as altar clothes. However I found out the hardest way possible that they are so flammable they can send an entire room up in flames in a matter of minutes.

At present I am using a tie-dye rayon sarong for an altar cloth on the family altar, but it's under a glass top. My personal altar is smaller and I have a rag-woven placemat for an altar cloth on that.

[MoonChild78]

I use printed cotton. I have 'em for each holiday and I figure that they are inexpensive that when I can no longer use them due to stains or whatnot, I can tear them down into other things. I also get about a yard and a half post season when they are on sale and keep them for the next year. As for a general alter cover, I just use a runner instead of a full cloth.

[childofcrow]

I use cotton.

[Godgifu]

Been over a month since I visited MW, sorry to have not gotten back to this thread...

My own experience (in case anyone cares) is that synthetics tend to melt when anything hot drops on them, though so far nothing's ever actually caught fire. And, I certainly wouldn't want to use velvet as an altar cloth because it's hard to clean wax from, though I have gotten wax out of my velvet dresses in the past (scrape off what you can, then just pour boiling water on the spot and then scrub and blot, and repeat if needed.)

I like the idea of a glass cover that a few people mentioned, though its potential might depend on where your altar is set up (if it's on the floor or a narrow space like a windowsill it might not be safe to use/easy to find a piece of glass.)


And as another point, correct me if I am wrong -- Cotton seems like it would be flammable -- that's what wicks are often made from isn't it?

[meowmeow]

I normally don't use a cloth BECAUSE of the wax and such, it scrapes right up off of marble. :D

Though for Yule, I'm using some lace now. It's pretty, but I'm not spilling anything on it either.

[meowmeow]

Though for Yule, I'm using some lace now. It's pretty, but I'm not spilling anything on it either.

I spilt wax on it. :(