CrazyCholeBlack

Except that you're paperwork is much nicer than mine Ed. I don't have the handwriting to make anything from scratch so I stick with printed broadsides. Thank goodness for technology!

The contents of my pockets. No wonder I have to take them off before going to bed at night Reading material: 1708 London Gazette (available from Kass) Moderate Man's advice against drinking (a new copy that wasn't someone's drink coaster ) A new song in the praise of his taking the French privateers Cambridge jests booklet The gamesters art booklet 2 copies of Tobacco is but an Indian weed The account of a horrid murder committed by pirates My sewing kit: 2 pin cases needle book with needles & over sized pins inside chunk of bees wax full & empty thread winders in bone & wood small scissors bone bodkin large wooden needle Misc junk: playing cards & pouch 4 dice keys candle nubs for fire starting beaten up green ribbon (used to be my shoe laces but I've since acquired buckles) extra stay lacing Not pictured: snuff (I need a PC box for it) handkerchief (it's in the laundry)

This is my official retraction. I just can't do PiP. The cost of flying all the way to FL is just too much and the drive isn't feasible for one person alone. Have a good time everyone!

To everyone in the IL-WI region looking for something fantastic to do this upcoming weekend ... Trail of History http://www.mccdistrict.org/Trail-of-History.htm Interpreters from across the country portray and demonstrate life as it was from 1670 – 1850 in the former Northwest Territory which encompasses present day Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and portions of eastern Minnesota. The event’s focus is to show the interrelationship between nature, man and cultural development. Cost is $6 per adult or $2 per child (ages 6-12) and senior citizens (60 years and older). Children ages 5 years and under are free. Be prepared for a mile long walk in the woods from the parking lot to the event. Perfect for a brisk fall day walk back in time! Be sure to come by the Voyageurs camp where Will Fiddle & I will be entertaining the public with English & French music of the 18th century. If anyone comes early enough on Sat I might even be convinced to share some of the fresh churned butter, cinnamon bread & strong coffee that have become a camp staple. Hope to see some of you there!

I realized recently that I have 3 consecutive centuries of clothing currently, covering 120 years and four distinct "era's". Not bad for a year The interesting thing, at least what *I* find interesting, is the pieces that work for multiple time periods. I'm always in the same stockings and petticoats. The black wool cloak is universal as are the neckerchiefs. My poor shift gets worn whether it's 1690, 1750 or 1812 & it's starting to look like it's been worn for 100 years too Do others have "multi-period" clothes or do you prefer to have dedicated garments for each era?

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- stop washing, at least anything more than your shirt/shift and especially stop washing in the machine with bleach and modern cleansers. If you *have* to wash something use lye soap, boiled on the stove and hung on the line. - stop being prissy while camping. Sorry, but it's true. Sit in the dirt, kneel on the ground while starting the fire, gather fire wood with your apron, wipe your hands/nose on your pants/shirt/sleeve/apron etc. clean your gun with your neckerchief. Our dry sponge was too wet during one battle a few months ago so we dried it on my apron, darn things never looked better! - sleep in your clothes. Seriously. When at an event just don't take anything off. By day 2, you'll start looking pretty "authentic" & smelling that way too. - have the bare minimum of clothes. less clothes = more wear over the course of a season. HTH

'bout the only suggestion I have is more color. Color is easily added with things like stockings (trust me, you'll want a few pairs in different materials) and a neckerchief (you may want more than one as well depending on temps where you are). You could also add a shot of color by lining your coat with a brighter color like red. It's looking good so far. Can't wait to see the rest.

Aww, & I never saw this post. Thanks Red Cat. I'm no expert, I just play one on the internet Anyway Lady B have you read this ladies book on making your own shoes? That's a good place to start even though they are modern styled shoes. http://www.marywalesloomis.com/ In regards to the gold shoes posted back in July by Red Cat. I'd say they are 18th century, 1720's, but probably later is what my gut says. Traits to look at when dating shoes - the stitching along the back of the heel. Can't see it in this pic but GOF's site has some good info on butt stitching v. the other styles that were used and when each style was popular. - the size of the buckle. This one looks pretty large for early 18th or late 17th Century - see that area where the latchet (strap across the instep) connects with the body of the shoe. It looks like an angled downward "L". IN the 17th century open latchet shoes that connection is more like a straight line at the bottom point of the "O" opening. As the opening closes the angle of the connection stays pretty straight. By 1740 the strap angle is the inverted L like in the photo. - the shape of the heel. Don't know much about different shapes and the years they were popular though, sorry. - the size of the tongue. Bigger then shrinking through the 18th C until we get the tongue free flat shoes of the last quarter. HTH

these have always been a favorite of mine there are tons more photos, including some really good close-ups here http://www.nwta.com/patterns/pics/ebaystay.../ebaystays.html Or these from Kass' site http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/image...aysfront216.jpg http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/image...taysback216.jpg

I guess I now officially classify as a mandolin player (mondolinist?). My first official gig (with Will Fiddle on violin) is in October for education day at the Trail of History event. Hopefully the kids won't know enough to know when I screw up

What ever you do DO NOT use those metal grommets if you're aiming for something historic. They aren't invented until well after the 18th century. Quite frankly, I wouldn't bother with them if doing something fantasy either. They are garbage. A properly sewn eyelet hole does not break or cut the fibers of the fabric, so should you want to remove them there is no damage to the fabric. Those metal grommets have you actually cut to install them. Once they are in, you can't get rid of them. It's funny. I hear people being worried about hand bound eyelet holes "ripping out" etc but I've never seen anyone actually have that problem. Boning wearing through the binding, yes, eyelets tearing, nope. If you're seriously concerned I'd probably consider either lacing looser (there are even period writings against "tight lacing") or using an extra inner layer of sturdy fabric just along the eyelet hole section. For the reed, I soaked mine in hot water, stretched it out and let it dry again for several days. Then I rubbed it very (very!) lightly with bees wax. I've known others who soak it in water with glycerin mixed in to help prevent breakage. I've never broken a reed (**knock on wood**) but that might be more of a concern with the smaller diameter stuff. Good luck!

Pretty. I like the pinked ruching on the pink round gown especially. Wonder how early we can date that kind of decoration. Although I would have liked to see a few of the women with the ribbons under their hats Those photos get me all excited for the Colonial Ball in November and finally getting to stay clean at an event . For anyone really interested in a fancy dress outing like this I'd suggest checking with your local F&I, French, 18th century, Rev war (etc) groups. I know a lot of them do balls and such during the winter. Can't go to many months without getting dressed proper after all!

Cut of men's clothes by Nora Waugh has several with a scale along the side to make it easier to grade up to your size. http://www.amazon.com/Cut-Mens-Clothes-160...90355946&sr=8-1 If you are lucky your local library or Interlibrary loan will have a copy to borrow rather than shelling out the $60+ for a new copy. Although it's worth every penny. HTH

Yeah, that's what I keep coming back to. Of course without the coffeehouse, I have no impression (& no coffee in the morning ). I suppose I could do the musician thing in a pinch though. And I am trained in artillery. I'm sure I'd be able to find *something* to do with myself all day. Of course now it's looking like my little swab will be joining me. Makes it a little harder to not have my own tent etc. and means I'd need to find car space for 2 people rather than just me. *sigh* travel is so darn complicated!

I like it. - more visuals is always good. I like the use of the images along the side for specific areas. Are you planning on having words along with those images so that the viewer knows what image corresponds with which section? - I like the blue, especailly how it gradates towards the top. Very oceanic. - I also like the top banner image. Is it a stock photo? It looks that way, very professional. The only thing that I might consider would be to either incorporate the "Gentleman of Fortune" into the banner or use a different, more stylized font on the "GoF" in that same placement on the page. Either way it would make the page/site title stand out more among the other text on the page. Think of the banner design as product placement (your information is your product). I'm looking forward to seeing how you integrate the new design into the other pages.

Well, I'm in a bind. Unless something drastic changes in the near future, PiP is going to have to come off my schedule Mainly, I can't for the life of me figure out how to get my camp & the coffeehouse down there. There is no one near by going down on a ride share and the 3 day trip by myself is just *not* possible. Still, I'm not saying a full "no" until after Mississinewa. I've got my fingers crossed that some option will come out of the wood work before then.

great photo Mr. Foxe. How in the world did you convinced the photographer to come up there with you for that shot? It doesn't look flattened or telephoto at all.

the wrinkle test is the easiest in my experience. You could also try the Drying Twist Test described in Identification of textile fibres" Make a fiber thoroughly wet then remove excess water with a tissue. Grasp one end with the tweezers and hold the free end over the heat source (like a hot plate). Observe the movement of the fiber as it dries by pointing the free end directly towards you. • clockwise - linen, ramie and nettle • anticlockwise - hemp and most other fibers • alternating clockwise and anticlockwise - cotton One tip is to glue a tiny piece of square paper to the end of the fiber to magnify the movement. There is also the burn test, but linen & cotton burn very similarly. In my experience the one difference is that the fibers closest to the ash is very brittle in linen, not so much with cotton. HTH. Have fun!

oh wait, I know, there is (or at least used to be) a specialty paper store in Chicago. Crud, it was right near the L-tracks, just outside the ghetto, across from the "real" art supply store. I used to park in their alley when going downtown. I'll have to check around to see if it's still there. If anyplace would have the perfect paper, it would be that one. I'll let you know if I find it again.

The historicals maybe, but the hollywoods not necessarily (this is plunder after all ) Everything I've printed has starts out nice & new looking. That lasts, oh, about 2 events before they are stained, battered and looking a little worn from being shoved in my pockets or squashed at the bottom of my basket. Not to mention, someone used my copy of "a Moderate Man's advice against drinking" as a coaster last weekend . Also consider that if the letters of mark are fakes to begin with, why worry about them getting a little beaten up? After all, you'll get a new set for the next government/country/war anyway right

Have you checked at your local art supply shop. Mine has a huge selection of all kinds of neat papers, some in these huge sheets that I actually end up cutting down because they're so big. Chain places like Dick Blick & Pearl might have similar paper selections too.

that's interesting Silkie. I have NOT been able to wear my wool stockings all summer. I swear the minute I take them off, or even just push them down I cool off about 5*. I have been tons more comfortable in light weight cotton stockings & even survived last weekends 90% humidity without taking them off (never mind that I was sitting in the shade playing mandolin all weekend ). YMMV I guess.

Not bad. Could use a bit more color, maybe in the stockings or in a neckerchief (but then again I'm big on colorful stockings & neckerchiefs ) If you can't afford wool stockings yet, look for cotton ones. Not perfect but much more comfortable if you're wearing this in the hot summer & cheaper too. For the shirt what you can do is either modify the pattern to have a smaller opening or slip stitch the opening closed to a comfortable point. Low enough to still put it on and high enough not to show too much. Unless they are up super close no one will notice the opening has been sewn shut. Viola, no more need for lacing. I also might not have used the ruffle on the sleeve but that's a personal preference really. I find that I like to push my sleeves up when I'm "doing stuff" (cannon crew, cooking, working the fire etc) and ruffles make that harder and tend to get in the way. The collar doesn't look too small. It actually looks a little big but that could just be the way it's laid open in the photo. The shoes look great. I love seeing more people doing modified lachet shoes. Cloaks are easy. Functional ones only reach to about your wrists when you're standing still. They are just a half circle with a closed casing for the neck (ie narrow pocket with closed ends) and a tie or two. You can line it if you want but when made out of an old wool army blanket, they don't really need it. Plus they make great extra blankets on a cold night.

Bad luck, nah. Just your average day with the Great Lakes River Pirates