Capt. Sterling

Here is the link to the original illustrations that Foxe has put together... http://www.picturetrail.com/piratepics ...a great help..

I, personally, highly recommend not going by what you see on tv or in the movies... for instance, just because tis National Geographic production doesn't mean they have it right... for example their artwork for the Whydah exhibit is horrible...especially their get up for Black Sam...they had the ability to get it spot on to what is known, using Reconstruction History's expertise and products, then went and destroyed all their hard work and added bucket boots as well... ugh.... Always stick to primary sources... find us evidence of dark shirts and stripes from sources original to the time frame and you will be safe to use it... not only that but you will be able to better judge if what you are using is common or rare... I personally have not looked for striped shirts from the time nor have come across any as of yet... does that mean they didn't exist? Odds are someone had a striped shirt, but honestly, I have never noticed one, but then I was not looking...who knows without some solid documentation... but then why try wearing something questionable when we know they had checked shirts and plain "white" linen ones... ? Go check out Foxe's picture library on sailors.... see what he has... the link should be on his profile page...

Many happy returns of the day Lady!!!!!

Well obviously the pirates do not appreciate the finer things in life, but the pirate hunters do... so you can always come play at our end of camp... the only thing I would be honestly concerned about would be the humidity on your instrument... it does some nasty things down there... just a thought...oh we have two violinists, possibly three, depending on who all shows, that might be able to play along

true but still the contracts are a good basis to start from as they very much cover a "style" for lack of a better word, that most newbies hold in their minds, that being English, Scottish, Welsh, or colonists sailors/merchantmen/ pirates. And I am not saying one has to follow the colors prescribed there, just the cut... Now once settled into the idea that said newbie wants to follow the historical side of the hobby, they can get away at most events with the basics from the contracts... now if they wish to portray a sailor from Norway, or North Africa... aye, I agree their kit is going to most likely take on an entirely different look..Hey just look at the discussion in Twill regarding the extremely wide breeches the Dutch were wearing according to some of the prints..... this would be something that they will have to research and document... and most likely bring with them to events that might require proof of their impression... but for the basic kit for newbies, I still say the contracts are the best basis to follow (and Like Mickey pointed out, with certain changes, and again, we don't really know what checked meant to the contracts, or ticken for that matter... Kass and I went over numerous variations on what could be used )....at least they can start playing at events right away so how different were the merchant class sailors other than perhaps fabric choices? And frankly Hugh... I do agree, perhaps it is time to have some more ethnic differences applied to kit at events... it would be nice...time to raise the bar again?

Honestly it really depends on what you mean by calicoes.. in our time frame Calico usually refers to Indian calicoes which were cotton, not linen, and were outlawed twice in England during our frame... now if you were in the colonies you could have them... now the problem being... the cotton you get in the local "joann's" most likely has nothing to do with what cotton was like in the GaoP... even today Indian cottons have little resemblance to the $1.89 cottons we sell regularly over here...

These are supposed to be dragoons? Dismounted..? right then off track...

Okay, this is too funny because it is so true ...

Mickey is correct in saying that checked could mean more than just modern day gingham... from Montgomery checked seems to mean anything from what we call gingham to plaid with window pane checked thrown in there as well...unfortunately does not include stripes..

That would be easy, just follow the Slops contracts... shirt, breeches or trousers, not the huge(wide) legged petticote breeches, as we don't seem to have enough evidence to make them common for the time frame yet, sailor's jacket, neck scarf, buckled shoes, stockings, cap or hat. Later on you can add weskit and other details... if you want we could send you some pictures of the "kiddies" all dressed as well... and perhaps you could get Mickey to send you some soldiers stuff as well... as the pirates need someone to go up against...

Don't actually get the white, get the bleached linen for a plain "white" shirt... the white they offer wasn't available in the GAOP ... As to the other striped fabrics...rather see those as trousers instead of shirts (just my opinion)... can't say I have run across too many striped shirts, but then I haven't really been looking for them as our crewe does the checked...tons of stripes for the ladies though...

Pm Maddogge... he has one of each

Good to hear it, but don't wait...get what you need in order to make sure it doesn't become even worse

You go Lil!!

Well, well, just think, Harry will have to work for a change...

Many happy returns of the day!

Silk could be an option, depending on your status... most likely a common pirate would be happier selling any silks taken than making clothing out it for personal use... there are numerous discussions concerning such over in the Twill area... you might wish to check some of them out... many are very helpful...

Hmmm interesting since the folks in Salem will tell you that the Puritans there often wore lighter colors including red...

Ahem... a bit late, but nevertheless, all the heartfelt wishes for the very best of birthdays are just as strong and sincere. And thanks for the concern, even on yer special day... Love ye, wouldn't trade ye fer the world!

Many happy returns of the day Patrick! Hope ye have the very best day of it!

Christine, most of the Ren faire type bodices have no true basis in REAL clothing, from the time frame(perhaps one reason for the pain, as unlike clothing from the time frame, they may have been designed without true support in mind... just a "look")... if you have a properly made pair of stays, there should be lots of support and no pain at all from the stays... and I am no chiropractor and do realize that excessively tight lacing days on end is not good for a body, but if you are wearing a good corset for events, there should really not be any problems

Oh I have seen better.... like the one he made for me to use....

Many happy returns of the day Lady! Hope tis a grand one indeed

Talk about dropping a bomb... Sorry to hear this Harry. Ye will be greatly missed but the kids and grandkids will be doubly blessed by having ye closer to home. I hope all things work out for the very best for ye and yer lady...

Thank ye Madl...pleased I am that ye are happy with it...