kass

Yeah, but a fifth in the hand is better than... oh boy...

Historical Tailor? Hector, I thought you were a Captain!

Well... it sure looks like a capote, but it also looks like a thicker version of a banyan. I don't want to say it's not made like a capote. But what are capote based on? Native American garments? I'll have to look that up.

Perhaps I'm coming at this question a little strangely. I'm always trying to figure out how something is made. And the surest way to figure that out is to find out where it comes from. So the question really is -- where are these people and did they bring their clothing from home or get it from the natives?

That would give me a better basis for a guess.

But until then, I stand by the idea of making a banyan-like object. It's a very simple construction and I'm not sure the capote isn't the exact same garment at base.

1/2 to 3/4 inch would work. No bigger, though.

This is what I'm seeing in the picture, Greg: a guy looking like he's wearing a 19th century waistcoat and cutaway jacket!

Of course we know the provenance of this illustration, so we know that not to be true.

Therefore, it must be some kind of short waistcoat about which we have yet seen nothing.

In the early 17th century, knitted waistcoats were worn under clothing for the purposes of warmth. Charles I wore one to his execution (so he wouldn't shiver and thereby appear cowardly!). It's in the V&A, I believe. It's body-hugging and meant to be worn under the shirt and tucked into the breeches.

I'm wondering if this thing that looks like a short waistcoat is something longer that's tucked into the pants for some reason. Perhaps he simply has no shirt on over it? Or maybe he's wearing it in an unconventional fashion?

Wouldn't base a seaman's outfit on this guy, though. That's my policy: "Make Not The Rare Common Nor The Common Rare"

Damn, he looks 19thc though...

Kass

Wow! Interesting, Greg... Will wonders never cease?

I am of the same opinion as you on these trowsers: they look like long (and possibly a bit narrower) version of slops to me.

Anyone have any documentation to the contrary?

Patrick, don't worry about not reading to the bottom. I do it all the time myself!

Ed, you soooooo owe me a drink!

I know my constitution could stand a fifth. You buyin'? Your choice: a fifth of vodka, a fifth of rum or a fifth of whiskey!

It's all my fault, Ed! I take full responsibility. I inspire naughtiness. It's my curse...

I wasn't planning on doing trowsers but... Trowsers in the 1720s, huh? They could fit in the Breeches and Slops pattern.

Hi Maria,

Do you mean this one:

(from Ed's site)

If I'm interpretting things correctly, you could use the Common Man's Jacket pattern, the Breeches and Slops pattern, and the Accessories pattern to achieve this effect.

Unfortunately, I don't have a pattern for "Bonny and Read's Outfits", but that's because what they wear is so much like the men's outfits.

Ed? Care to weigh in?

You have to pace yourself, Greg. I'll do my best to go easy on you...

Don't know but there's a map on the site:

Reenactors' Market UK

Well, thanks for understand things from the inside, Hurricane. It really is a lot of work...

But it is a labour of love. Where else can I get paid for doing what I love -- researching and replicating historic garments!

Oh stop me! I'm gonna go all sappy and un-pirate-like...

My mistake, patterns I want!

Patterns, I got, madam!

I don't know about ALL of them, but you can probably put me down for the accessories, mantua and common womans' outfit. And forget the shipping, you can deliver them by hand in March

Followin' Greg's example and dressin' like a girl, are we now, Mr. Foxe?

Seriously, no sense in shipping 'em if I see you in March. I will use it as incentive... "Who's buying this round? Why, I think it's Ed!"

Now I know where the patterns for my next shift of clothes are coming from! Impressive! 

You, sir, are a man of extraordinarily good taste!

Thanks for the support, all! It's you what I do this for...

Books, Rue? Did I say I was doing books?

Well... Let me tell you why I'm hesitating about the discount issue. There are probably going to be 13 patterns in this line and not all of those patterns are going to drop on 1 February. They will be spread out over the course of the whole month. They may even extend a little into March, though I will try my damnedest to make sure that doesn't happen by more than a day or three.

So if you did order all 13 patterns at a discount, I would not ship any of them until all 13 were in print. Otherwise the expense of shipping multiple packages runs too high. And if I asked you to pay more shipping for multiple packages, it would probably amount to the patterns without the discount.

So let me know how you feel about this stuff, guys.

Also before you go promisin', take a look at my website and see the price range of my patterns. Multiple by 13. Still interested?

Just being practical...

Thanks, Captain. I'll post in this forum when they're available for purchase.

I landed there once. On a boat...

It's our secret...

You're going to buy the other 12 patterns though, right?

There's not much detail, but it looks to be a very simple garment. I think they picked them up on their circumnavigation. Don't you think it looks just like the dressing gown hanging on the back of your bathroom door? I could send you the layout if you like. Of course, if you want to use one of my patterns to make it, I bet the Brandenburg pattern would do it.

I'd love to meet up, Ed, sure! Where abouts do you live (and can you explain that to a Yank who understands London, Southampton, and not much else)?

Good Lord! What IS that?

You know, they look sorta like banyans... I mean, they really look like Chinese garments or Middle Eastern coats and that's what banyans originally were.

Could you give me some background on this picture? They look like an aboriginal people. Are they South Seas Islanders? Or possibly Indo-Chines?

I wasn't planning on it, but I could do a banyan pattern too. I have a layout for one and my husband has been whining for one to wear around the house...

Yes, please! I'd like to make these patterns as useful as possible. And you know they're rededicating the Boyne Battlefield in July 2007!

Hi all,

Are any of our "cross the pond" brethren (or sistren) planning on attending the Reenactors' Market in Coventry, England in March. Here's the website:

Reenactors' Market

I ask because I might be able to make it over there this year and I wondered if any of you lot were going to be there...

Kass

Well it doesn't yet, but it could... As I said, none of this is set in stone yet because they're still in development.

Do you know the specs? Or know where I can find them?

Kass

Is it bad form to reply to your own message?

(Why am I asking pirates about bad form...)

Okay, you guys really have me excited about this new line of patterns now, so I'm going to share with you the proposed contents:

RH701 -- 1680s Justacorps and Waistcoat

RH702 -- 1700s Frock Coat

RH703 -- 1720s Frock Coat

RH704 -- 1700s-1720s Waistcoats

RH705 -- 1680s-1720s Common Man's Coat (aka Sailor's Jacket)

RH706 -- 1680s-1720s Breeches and Slops

RH707 -- Lady's Bodiced Gown

RH708 -- Lady's and Common Women's Mantuas & Petticotes

RH709 -- Lady's Riding Costume

RH710 -- 1680s-1720s Common Woman's Outfit

RH711 -- 1680s-1720s Stays (corsets)

RH712 -- Men's Brandenburg (Great Coat)

RH713 -- Men's & Women's Accessories (caps, hats, shirts, shifts, other body linens, sashes, Steinkirks, etc.)

This isn't set in stone yet, but this is the plan for release next month.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, all patterns include options for upper class and lower class versions.

Anything essential that I missed?

The first person to say "Jack Sparrow's Jacket" gets a 25% price increase and must go to the back of the line!

Are you kidding, Ed? Frock coats with all the trimming are MUCH prettier!

Easy there, Gent! I have to figure out pricing first!

Kass