Cap'n Pete Straw

Argh... (That's frustration, not pirate-speak) I couldn't even post a link to my Klingon and Civil War photos (which are located in respective Yahoo Groups folders). Alright, I'll take pix of myself in my Pirate garb later today, and THAT (and ONLY that) will prompt me to finally open a photobocket account and post the damned things. Much-promised photos forthcoming. This time for real.

So, it would appear that my son is NOT going to join us in Port Washington. While this un-complicates a lot of things for me, I had already figured out so much stuff to accommodate him, that I am now disappointed. As promised, I will be taking pictures of some of my "spare" gear as well as myself starting this afternoon (finally purchased a $50 memory card for my digital camera)... I will post these on the Yahoo "Fool's Gold Crew" site, but the pics of me in me garb will prompt me to open a Photobucket account, enabling me to post pix here... The weekend has been too cold (30s and 40s) for me to bother setting up my tent, but the weather is supposed to be wonderful later this week. I'll get that tent up and show ye what I have in mind for Port Washington...

So, did I just luck out and make all the right choices? The upholstery fabric I chose is thick, but relatively lightweight. Of course, I waited virtually forever before choosing the fabric. When it is on, it is not that heavy, but being a dark(er) blue, I cannot imagine how much solar power it will absorb. I have yet to test this. As I mentioned previously, the buttons I chose were $1 each ($2 per card of 2). But I used a whole bunch of coupons to get them, so I got 40% off one card each time I purchased a batch of eight buttons (80c savings each trip). I added extra buttons beyond what the pattern calls for -- if I am not mistaken, there are 30 total. I could not be happier with the coat. ....But, that being said, it would appear that my son may have totally lost the coat I made him (the one previously pictured here and in the pics on the Yahoo group site). Jeez. I cannot begin to think about replacing it. Red-Handed Jill, you made three? I would have hoped to never compete with that count, but I fear I may have to. Ugh.

While I am waiting for confirmation on this, my schedule might become rather complicated. I might be getting my kids for the summer starting this same weekend. A large disadvantage is timing -- I cannot drive South halfway across Illinois on Friday evening to get my kids at the same time I am expecting to drive North the same distance to get to Port Washington. But the primary complication is my obligation to my wee ones. I cannot abandon them (i.e. by leaving them all with my wife). If I have them that weekend, I will have to bring along my son, William the Bloody (any combination that includes him and any of my daughters will NOT work). However, that will probaly work out for all o' ye, as there will be another young lad in the group. While I can always make him work (specifically by assigning him to watch my stuff), he then becomes one more thing for ME to watch. Can't rightly spend the whole night tossing back pints in the local tavern if I have a minor in my custody... ... although that reminds me -- I do have authentic working leg irons and wrist shackles I will be bringing along...

It were rather painful, but I pulled out me eyeteeth and am ready to post them to ye in exchange fer these fine weapons. Just give me yer address and I will give ye my eyeteeth for them. Fine weapons indeed. Fine weapons.

Thats the only one that i could see working Er, Bloody Mary Bonney..... Ahhhhhhrrrrrrrr ye free on Saturday? well that backfired Judging from your response, I concur.

The coat is finished. I will still have to secure the edges of the braid on the bottom 10 inches on both sides, but that should be accomplished during my round-trip commute tomorrow. Pictures within a few days. But - joy of joys! - My colonial shoes arrived today! I am breaking them in so I can attach the buckles. Yay! All that's left are the breeches, then it's upgrades or replacements (or extras) of existing garments.

Snoopy

Spring-loaded-snake-in-a-can

He lives with his mother, and it is unclear whether he will be with me that weekend. We shall see. But the coat is done. The sleeves are on, and it looks terrific (IMHO). I need to finish securing all the braid, as well as attaching the buttons (20 - and I have them all). When the buttons are on, I will get some pics.

Harbormaster, If ye want yer pistol to match everyone else's, I can give ye tips how to carefully remove the triggerguard, snap it in twain, and reattach it. Just so ye don't feel left out.

Update... I streamlined the process by only hand-tacking the braid. I have finished it. I will later go back over ALL the braind and more securely attach it. This allows me to hem the coat, attach the sleeves and add the buttons. Then I have something I can take pictures of. My fingers are sore. Regarding the buttons, I have a dozone 40% off coupons for Jo-Ann Fabrics and Michaels Craft stores (each!) for this weekend... hmm....

Captain Macnamara! Well met, sir! I wish we had some better bragging point in common... 'Twould appear ye did far more customization to yer pistol than I did to me own, and I would love the chance to see it. However, I am very, very proud of my own finished product. Unhappy with my initial staining job (which I then removed), I created my own muilticolor water-based ink with subsequent application of linseed oil -- this resulted in a rich, satin finish. What makes me feel like an ass, then, is that YOUR (earlier) warning is the one I should have heeded... therefore I have no excuse.

I be mostly full o' Guinness... I am working on topping it off...

Thats the only one that i could see working Er, Bloody Mary Bonney..... Ahhhhhhrrrrrrrr ye free on Saturday?

Pictures! Pictures! ... tease. As for my own project, It is coming along well, but I have hit the slow part. The body of the coat is complete. I still need to sew the cuffs and sleeves together , then attach them to the coat. I have tacked (machine sewed) the braid to the coat to hold it all in place, and am now hand-sewing back over all the braid while removing the machine tacking. As this involves about 20 to 25 feet of braid, and as I am endeavoring to make my hand stiches "invisible" (sewing within the grain of the braid), this is going to take me a long, long time. Picked up another set of 8 needed buttons. That exhausts three local Jo Ann Fabrics. The first one should be restocked (with another 8) by the end of the week; two more raids and I will have my quota. While at Jo Ann's today, I purchased my daughter a sewing machine (I have two -- she wanted one of mine. It was easier to simply buy her a brand new one.) She was so excited, she used some of the leftover fabric from my pirate coat to make my wife a bodice. She is not finished, but it looks sharp as hell. I should have purchased her the machine a long time ago, and told her I wanted a pirate coat. More updates to come...

Working on it... working on it... But my sincerest thanks for the use o' yer space. I was able to post the pic on the "Fool's Gold" Yahoo group space, but that does not seem to allow re-posting of pics...

Regarding JoAnn Fabrics... Yes -- they have so many excellent historical-looking buttons, I actually had too many to choose from. As I changed my mind once, I even have a few EXCELLENT buttons I will save for another project. Ditto regarding their trim. I thought up a dozen new projects simply wandering the trim/braid aisle. I have several ideas already for my NEXT pirate coat... Patrick -- thanks for the tip. I will certainly try a search. I have a million unrealized projects...

Yes: Simplicity pattern 4923. I bought a couple of them for $1 each, along with about 30 other patterns at the same price. I used one to make drop-fall trousers for my son (for Civil War reenacting -- simply lengthened the legs of the drop-fall breeches), and a pirate coat for him (the image was posted earlier in this thread, but had disappeared). The other pattern (adult size) I used to make the waistcoat you saw in Oshkosh. I cut out the pieces for breeches, but have not sewn them yet. I am now making the coat. When I finish the sleeves, it will be done. When I add the braid, it will be great. I have been accessing historical pirate woodcuts for trim ideas, but Don Maitz paintings are heavily influencing my decisions. I rewatched almost all my pirate movies for other ideas...

Well, we have been discussing this event off of Pyracy.com, so for the record: This is on my calendar. I plan to be there.

Ye have a pirate plate? Where did ye obtain such a thing? Is it silverplated?

They have a half price ticket pre-sale special (4 adult tickets minimum) on their website. Two of the tickets are, however, are for a "limited run" (the first few weeks of teh Faire). I have purchased mine already. I intend to take the family, hopefully all decked out in pirate regalia, if I can get the sweatshop up and running. I have to go, as I have already paid for it. Let me know as you guys make plans, and I will post likely dates for me as the event draws closer.

It took me forever, but I finally splurged on some upholstery fabric to make my own coat out of the Simplicity pattern. I plunked down $130. That does not even include the braid or buttons... and I have to keep hitting the stores on subequent trips to get all the buttons I need, as none seem to have more than 8 in stock at any given time. I started with one type of button, then changed my mind. Thank God I only had invested in 8 of the abandoned type, as those puppies aren't cheap. Earlier in this topic, I mentioned the coat I made for my son two Hallowe'ens ago. Since then I have been searching for the right fabric. While I have an authentic coat pattern at hand, I found the Simplicity pattern to be ... er... sheer simplicity. I will save the historical pattern for a later, grander project. ...Updates will be posted when I have anything else to share. Wish me luck!

I sent in my subscription, sight unseen. A trusting soul am I.

THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE. I speak here as a person who snapped his Queen Anne's trigger guard (my own user comment is on Dixie Gun Works, and may have been one warning you have seen)... I know what went wrong. Listen to others, but please read what I have to say, and keep it in mind. You should not have to go through all the fuss of heating the guard, especially as you may over-heat and melt it. The problem is not so severe -- you just need to be aware of what you are doing. I recommend using a very soft headed hammer (leather, wood, or a ball peen hammer wrapped in newspaper) to GENTLY (key word: gently) shape the guard to fit in the pre-cut groove. Use a soft piece of scrap wood as an anvil. Work slowly. Make a very good educated guess and bend it a little, then measure the fit, then bend again, etc., etc. Be careful not to over-bend it, as once you reverse the bend in the other direction you are doomed. The problem: The screw-hole halfway along the guard is a natural weak point. The guard I received was not quite the right shape and needed to be gently (there's that word again) coaxed into the right shape... but you have to do so SLOWLY (and I think gently ) to avoid snapping it at the screwhole. Focus any needed re-shaping along all points of the triggerguard EXCEPT the screwhole. If you remain alert that this is the weakest point, you should be able to avoid breaking it. Being forewarned, you should have no problem. Approach the process with caution and you should be fine. Moderation is the key. And gentle... ness. I was aware and afraid mine would break, but I built the whole gun in a six-hour marathon slowed down by lots and lots of beer. I can also offer you the useful suggestion to DO NOT DRINK LOTS OF BEER WHEN SHAPING THE TRIGGERGUARD. I think alcohol reduces your ability to apply gentility to the process. Seriously, having done this (and I feel stupid, as I was aware this was an inherent problem of the kit) I could easily avoid making the same mistake a second time. Just go slowly. ...All that being said... I must tell you that my broken triggerguard does not detract from the beauty of the gun. The screw pins the pieces (both halves of the triggerguard) quite sturdily in place, and you have to know where to look to even notice the mistake. I did not even feel motivated to try to repair or replace the guard, as my gon looks AWESOME. It really is a good kit.