Kathyrn Ramsey

I do not wash my stays. At most I will set them to air out when I am not wearing them as they do not get all that dirty. If you are wearing a proper shift beneath, you should not have an issue with them. Spot cleaning as has been mentioned is fine. I have one set of corset that I have had for 6 years that have never been washed and they have been through everything. Kathryn

We use the paper that the cartridge is made from as the wad, at least for the hand guns. The cannons we use grass wad when able to. Along with the steel wool... Have fun...

Flying Canoe are one of the best out there. Especially for shoes. He will not let you purchase them online. You have to be fitted by him and wear them about for an hour to make sure that they fit. I have also seen and worn a few pair of his breeches, they are well made, though not lined, they are finished. There are a lot of Rev War reenactors that swear by his stuff, and a lot that do F&I and pyracy as well. Good luck, Kathryn

Greetings, I have been losing weight over the last few months and because of it I have a brand new Pirate coat that has never been worn for sale on EBAY. Take a look. Thanks, Kathryn http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...E:L:LCA:US:1123

OMG Elizabeth was wonderful... Everything about it but not posting info as there are those that have not seen it yet. But word of note; it is not getting rave reviews so it may not be in theatres all that long. So hurry and see it. Kathryn

Yes shoes are a huge expense but there are ways to make the ones that you are wearing usable by adding to the front with black leather. Also, yes being able to hand sew all of your own kit is a good thing. But in this time there were shops that handled your basic sewing needs. Not everything has to be hand done by yourself to be correct. It looks great what you are doing so far.

Good Day Cheeky, It is now getting closer to the event is there a finalized schedule of seminars and suttlers to be had yet? Thank you , Kathryn

Good Crimson Corsair, I am not sure if we can stop by the encampment. As we are staying at said encampment with you... Duncan is lending us Brokeback so that we do not have to bring canvas with us from CT.... See you there.

Hawkyns and I shall be there staying at the KOA. We will see everyone there...

The orphans comment refers to when they are traveling without one another... They have not split up that I know of.

I have not had a chance to see the group as a whole. But this year at Pennsic, Joey (Father) and a group of other musicians played for nigh about 2 hours we caught the last hour and half. And it was great, also have heard him playing in his tent when he merchants. He does tend to play at Fort Fred. Hope this helps. Kathryn

If you are getting a properly fitted bodice you should not need to wear a bra beneath it. It sort of defeats the purpose...

The main difference from the synthetic hair and the real hair pieces. Synthetic, you can not add curls to it it comes as is. You can braid it but it will not take color either. Real hair, you can color, highlight, style any way you want. But as soon as you wash it it loses its style and you have to redo it. (hairdresser by trade) Sally's has color. Wella tends to be very dark. Good luck

Just a thought but what if this was made into a sticky note so that it does not get burried...

I am part of the Company of the White Rose, which runs the artillery for Pennsic... So I will be on the hill playing with the cannon... We are camping across from the battlefield on the corner of Agincourt and Tours. Again look for the cannon. And for the other definition.. that is personal info....

We will be there... Listen for the **BOOM** you will find us.

If you are looking for a truly faire piece. I would highly recommend Moresca for thier bodices. I have had a max bodice for about 6 years now and it has been through everything. and is very adjustable... At the moment it is doubling as my stays as I am losing weight and do not want to put the energy or the money into a proper set. I have the pattern and the cane for the boning and the fabric and am all set to go. But the Moresca ones are great and work for pirate and wench... and they do give a reallllly good amount of fluff....

Your best bet though is to stay away from the silks with the nubs, commonly duponi. The nubs would be considered flaws and not be used. At least on the high end court style kit.

Abrahm, where do you reside? Some here may be able to tell you where you can go to purchase powder.

The only concern that you should have about the plastic boning in stays, would be that plastic does not breathe. Also, you should not really need to wash your stays, when worn with a proper shift. I have had my pair for about 4-5 years and have touched cleaned it, never soaked it through.

I personally would go with the Dark Tan. And have them from the heavy canvas. You can use the wool, but I find the canvas a we bit cooler and easier to throw in the wash.

OMG that looks like Black John... LOL

My youngest (6 yr old) received the mill wheel and the dock set from POTC Mega Blocks. The three of them fight over who gets to play with them when they are here to visit.

If you are measuring yourself for stays the bust measurment is taken without a bra. And if you are leary of cutting your good fabric, this is going to sound strange, but cut the pattern out of corrugated cardboard first the boning direction in the direction of the corrogation. Then you put in your lacing holes and have someone lace you up and wear it around for a little while. The reason is so that you know how it will fit and that it fits properly before you make it from the fabric. Also if you have access to a basket making company, or chair caning you can use that for the boning. It is flexable but will support close to what the whalebone would have. Also being natural it will breathe easier than the plastic ties... Just what I have discovered as I have begun making my stays. Getting away from the metal boning.

"the only problem is that 1760 & 1786 are pretty far out of period. " How is this out of period??? Piracy did not have a cut off specific as far as I can remember. There were pirates in the late 18th as well as through today.