LadyBarbossa

Elaina, you are one brave girl! I kinda decided to cheat on making my outfits. I made a couple by hand... even a flag for the 35th Regt of Foot in NJ by hand... I'll be using a sewing machine for quick jobs. Anyway... I've rather amused with the answers here on this question. Tori, now... first off.. I must ask.. do you have a boned bodice? Stays with the shoulder strap or without? Are they fully boned or partial? The reason why I ask, is cause there were a couple varieties back then. The kind I made, partially by hand & partially with a sewing machine, are fully boned. I used reeding since it's cooler during the summer & allows you to breathe. Literially. Not just your skin, but allows you to partially move. Stays are to help with posture, not restrict your breathing to the point you pass out. The reeding I use, appears thin ... ::Runs to grab the reeds::: ok... here we go.. I used Elephant reeds & marsh reeds which can be found at craft &/or fabric stores, such as here - in Iowa - I found them in Hancock Fabrics. I intermix the reeds such at the Elephant reeds to go along the seam of the stays, while I use the marsh reed inbetween the seams, using anywheres from 1 to 5 reeds in each slot. Again, the reeding helps to form that shape that is desired but allows you to breathe & move, but is still restricting in the sense it's supposed to be & not overly restricting. The reeds help the stays to conform to you, & you conform to the stays. I have a couple books that help me out on the ideal & appearance of stays. The best one I like thus far is "Tidings of the 18th Century" by Beth Gilgun. Or a fine example of a functional still n fantastic shape stays, check out "Costume Close-up: clothing construction & pattern 1750 - 1790" by Linda Baumgarten & John Watson with Florine Carr. I bought my stays pattern through Jas. Townsend & Sons. Which they have them in a variety of sizes to fit you. I'm rather pleased with the pattern in which does fit me well. You can make shoulder straps if you like. The lacing up the back... Ummm, I would suggest that you use leather for the lacing holes, but not leather for the lacing itself. Best to use a cord or a tight weaved likeness. I have a wide cotton 'cord' that I usually use for my petticoats. This works fantastic. You will need to make sure that around the lacing holes that the reeding is the elephant or a thick, strong reeding. When lacing up, most are in the back. Pretty much requires the assistance of another person. I've tried it by myself, doesn't work. If you are lucky enough to have stays that lacing in the front.. bravo, but I would think you may need help yet, cause they are both a pain yet fun to lace up. When lacing, as was mentioned by others, you should still breathe... in some fashion or another. One must learn how to breathe, unfortunately, raising the shoulders, instead of expanding the chest & abdomen. I am not a skinny minnie by any means, ladies & gents, if you look at my profile pic, no my avatar.... You can see how the stays can 'boost' the chest, whether you are big chested or flat chested. If not really much there to work with, in another book they did once use aides such as "false bossoms". That info was in the "Distaff Sketchbook" by Robert L. Klinger. But, most causes, I doubt you will need to use the false bossoms. I don't think I could ever finish this post... but to add, that with the stays... use leather for the trimming around the edges. Why? To keep the boning in the slots. There should be an allowance to the boning & slots. Such as example, the slots are 12" long vertical, the boning should be around 11 1/2 ". Again, the leather trimming helps to make sure the boning stays in the slots. Other materials allows the boning to .. slip out & poke. Believe me, that hurts! The reeding can & will break, but compared to using metal boning which is not as comforable, let alone is HOT during the summer months... I'll take my chances replacing the reed boning often. ::ponders::: I feel like I am leaving something out here. Oh, well. If I think of it, I shall inform you immediately! Promise. But, wearing the stays can be fun in a way. Not only the look from the gents, but the way they help you carry yourself. I've had my friend - who has taken pictures of me in costume & been so very patient in lacing me up - is rather impressed with them, even to the point she tried the stays on finding that they were not as bad as what they were cracked up to be. I wish ya luck, Tori. Again, any more questions... Fire away! I'll try to answer as soon as I can. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

LOL.. cute, very cute, El Pirata. Hmmm... rumors are still flying? Haven't heard any ssince December. Interesting. A little chatter here & there about "can't wait for the 2nd movie" ... but that is it. Trust you there, Bess. I wouldn't trust anything else floatin' about unless it came from you. :) Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

Some had posted this in the PotC chat list on Yahoogroups. Not sure if this is true, but here is the info they had mentioned: After much negotiations between Disney and Regal Cinemas, the POTC Interactive in Tampa, Florida is ON! The event will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14th and 15th at the Regal Theater Stadium at Citrus Park Mall at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. both days. Call the theater at (813) 920-9471 for more information. We need as many people to come as possible because Disney will be watching to see how many show up. Let's fill the theaters! > Explain a little more about the PotC Interactive. > > > Forever Barbossa's, > Anastazia The POTC Interactive is just that. It's a viewing of the film at a theater and the audience interacts with the movie. (Think of the midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show.) The audience will come in costume (pirates or poppets) and you can bring your script (download from www.POTCInteractive.com) and an apple. The theater will provide pirates kits but that may consist of coupons for candy or drinks - who knows?) I'm bringing my own pirate props. It's just a chance for Johnny fans and POTC fans to get together and meet, celebrate the film (and Johnny's nomination!) and have some fun. More information is available on the website mentioned. Kyrila For some of you down that direction, I figured that you may enjoy something like this. Who knows, if this is a hit, they will do this at other theaters across the country! Make this a huge cult pop phenomen as RHPS! HUZZAH! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

Congrats, Akasha. Much luck in skewering your victums. :: evil grinz:: Hawkyns... wonderful idea! I've never thought of that. I should start doing that then. I have a Civil War heavy dragoon saber... three banded brass & black leather hilt...the one on the skull PotC logo... LOL, tarnish & all which just makes people jealous... but, yeah.. that sucker is heavy! Great if you are on horseback in a charge, but on foot... it's rather heavy. So, the tossing around dumbells I'm sure will work. :) Thanks, mate! :: tosses ya a couple rum bottles & gold pieces:: Minrat.. very cool! I've done some Arnis in the past. My unit commander of Lee's Legion (Rev War) will be teaching me some fencing. Can't wait. I have a very old fencing foil in which he's going to fix up for me & train me. I'm so excited. BTW.. I wish ya luck, shipmate! Skewer yer opponent! Lady Elaina... tough decision, isn't it? Have any that catch your eyes?

Aye! I'm with ya there, Kate! Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

::ponders:: Well.. besides what you had listed like Townsend, Smoke & Fire & Fox... G. Gedney Godwin is one, albeit a bit pricy. I'm not sure who else has replica equipment. But revwar.comhas a list of sutlers or should at least. I can't say much about the seafaring equipment of Townsend as I haven't really seen it. I've seen a lot of their stuff at re-enactments, but nothing nautical related. But.. they don't take quality lightly. I would imagine their equipment is really good. A lot of re-enactors I know swear by Smoke & Fire. Though it's been a while since I have been to that site. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

Townsend has some good hats. They come often to several NWTA re-enactments. I'm rather impressed with a lot of their items. If you have no ideas of making your own trimming, decorating of your cocked hat, then get the trimmed ones. The hand finished one that is $35 is best. The $15 ones are good but not fantastic. Otherwise... go for the untrimmed blank wool felt. Then you can do whatever you want with it. They are rather good quality. I have one & love it! But beware.. they are hot... so, you best wear a kerchief atop yer head lest you be sweating like a horse. :) But.. I was able to decorate mine with some green satin ribbon & black fuzzy feathers, make it look a little foppish... looks rather cool. I already had a green satin cockade I bought a couple years back when I was in Colonial Williamsburg. But these hats are fantastic to work with, as long as you are willing to be creative & do a little work. Requires a lot of hand sewing, WON'T be easy. I used the upholstry needles to sew the stuff on. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

Best I have is a small silvery replica of a Doubloon. Found it at Old Threshers in Mt. Pleasant IA this past year. Only one there. Only $1. So... bought it. I wear it nearly every day. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

El pirata looks like he gave a rather good offer. I can also make ya one & ship it to ya. No charge really... I have a butt load of material here & need to use it up. I'm desperate to get rid of some of this material, making it into some costumes. Let me know... I don't use a pattern, just give me your measurements... I do it by memory now in the 18th c style. Having made a couple already. Easy as hell to make them. Just tell me if you want ruffles or not. Such as ruffles on the sleeves & front .. or just the sleeves or no ruffles as all. Small collar, big collar... big poofy sleeves or narrow sleeves, hip length or longer... etc.

May be "pirate to the gills!"? Except I think that be far more of a ration than a gill o' rum! hehehehe... well... best I have that is PotC related... is my major prize possesion... a 4 foot stand up of Barbossa when they were having the DVD release. I was lucky enough to get my hands upon him. Didn't really care much about Jack & Will... besides, they were already taken. Talk about a treasure! Bloody hell!, are they ever difficult to get a hold of! & that was just as the DVD came out I got my hands upon him. Then there is the prop coin (if it really is) that I got with the DVD I bought from Wal-Mart.... A 7-weeks rental card I got from Blockbuster for pre-ordering (Yes, I have 2 DVDs)... An el cheapo plastic likeness of the Aztec gold... though I would LOVE to get a metal one with the 2 different sides. As well as a different medallion that I have been trying to get made for years now. Alas, no one taking on the challenge. Not much else I would want that is currently out there. What I would LOVE to see is some actual PotC stuff! example... like what was done with "Sleepy Hollow" by Tim Burton... the likenesses of Depp as Ichabod & the horseman... those are WAY too cool. I have them, btw. & to have PotC characters done my Mcfarlane... would be WAY TOO COOL! Barbossa, Pintel, Ragetti, Jack... etc... way, way too cool! As to window decals.... I've started working on my own to put on my own vehicle... just need to get them to a proper printer sometime to finish them up. Since I have the stuff to make them. :) I have one that shows the Black Pearl in the fog & says "My other mode of transportation is the Black Pearl!" Oooh.. I heard there is PotC shirt out there of half Jack, half Barbossa that has something along the lines of the caribbean being a paradise for some, for others its a curse... would LOVE to get a hold of that one. Anything Barbossa I would LOVE to get my hands upon. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

Wish I could see them. Oh, well. Only one I am aware of is one of soe PotC footage with the old late 80's song "Im too sexy.." I swear that is the best one I have ever seen! It's too damn funny & fantastic. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

Aye. Same here. Is there something in specific you may be looking going Lady Elaina? Light? heavy? Fencing? nasty/pissy lookin'? The one I have is that Civ War heavy cavalry saber... it's one of the tarnished swords crossed over with the Sparrow skull in the PotC logo. Brass with the 3 bands & black leather. But they are not kidding when it's heavy. Huge thing, too. I, unfortunately, don't know of many places online for swords. Other than G. Gedney Godwin... but.. they are not all that cheap & their swords are relative to Rev War. I wish ya luck finding one. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

Ahhhh... that bit of news be music to these fine ears! To the both of ya! I pray that what you be needing does go through. Would love to sail aboard the Royaliste with ya. Would warm my heart & free my spirit. :) Maggie... would enjoy having a wee lady like you around.. to be sure. Be it for a pirate regalia... or even at one of the Rev War events... though... alas... to be at one of the NWTA events alone.. you must be at least 16 or 17. Otherwise, ya need a parent with ya. We look forward to the Royaliste! I pray that other ships will grace the waters of Lake Michigan in 2005! I would love to see & walk aboard if not sail aboard the many infamous ships I have heard about! Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

Don't much care for the brand of coffee.. let alone coffee at all. more liking the specialties from time to time like Cafe Mocha, Frappecinos, Cafe Latte... even LOVE Chai! Though would like to try the roasted blends they have via Jas. Townsend & sons. Haven't really heard anything about how their coffee's taste. Though... I LOOOOOVE the 18th c Hot Chocolate! I swear.. you'll be a bouncin' off the walls for hours! No joke! Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

Why thank you, Gluebeard. Tis an honour indeed. Oooo, Sharks, eh? I hear they make for a delightful feast... sharks steaks. Been wanting to try it. Besides... sharks keep the wary at bay. If not... they make for easy disposal of those fools that go where angels fear to tread. With the exception of this angel that is. I look forward to some trading & comradery with fellow pirates. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

I have a few Transformers (Decepticon) items from Hot Topics.. but the pirate booty is WAY better! I need to go back & see if they have a steering wheel cover that is like my Decepticon steering wheel cover with skulls & crossbones all over it, etc. I haven't bought the "Kiss me I'm a pirate".. T-shirt... yet. I'd like to get the tall insence cylinder... remove the little peg stick at the bottom & put my rum bottle in it. Safe keepin' & a nice stash place for it. Plus would like to get a couple more rings. One that was like a black diamond .. huge.. with a reddish tint to it. Fancy. I say, keep the pirate booty comin'! Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

AYE!!! I've bought a few items.. a T-shirt (black, Jack Rackham flag, with "A Pirate's Life For Me..")... a silver skull & crossbones ring, the "Kiss me I'm a pirate" patch, .. even one of those black little chests that has the skull, sword & bottle on the top. Lovin' them all! Would LOVE to have more. I didn't care much for the place.. but now love it that they have the pirate items! Huzzah! for Hot Topics!!! Huzzah! Anastazia ~master & commander of the Resurrection

A fine site it is, Gluebeard. My compliments. Hope to join the festivities soon enough. Hopefully not cause TOO much trouble! Huzzah! Anastazia ~master & commander of the Resurrection

Babysitter for the Actors. Poor thing. Now that is a big a challenge. Interesting way to put it though. Though I bet it's a blast.... obviously. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

That was very sweet of Johnny. Anyway... the Keith Richards rumor sounds really good. Actually that would be a fun truth IF Richards gets a cameo at least. Would be funny as hell... their character reactions & all. That is the best rumor I have ever heard. Anything about Rush? Are they getting him back? Or not? Anyone else confirmed to return? Any newbies to PotC? :::innocent looking:: sorry .. just overly curious. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

My mind is still pondering what they will look like. But I was thinking of a couple cocked hats trimmed in a variety of things like lacing, feathers, ribbons, etc. I'll have to take a look at it. TY.. I appreciate it. I'd like to make a hat with a matching coat or even outfit. Would be rather fancy. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & commander of the Resurrection

All I can say is 2 words as to why PotC should continue: TREASURE ISLAND!!! Hello... it's a major classic today! one of my major favs of all films. If Eisner has truly lost the dream of Walt Disney.. the man SERIOUSLY needs to exit the playin' stage.. immediately. I keep hopin' that nothing blocks PotC 2. Huzzah! Anastazia ~master & commander of the Resurrection

Need a little help on how to stiffen wool felt (which I found a wide variety of colors at a local fabric store) without wire. I want to make some hats from the wool felt I found. Anyone have any good ideas or positive feedback on how to stiffen the wool felt? As well as how to make both the high & short as well as the large & small crowns? Thanx, Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

Good question. Not sure. I know that there are a few Rev War re-enactments up that direction.. in which I hope to hit a few of them this year 'round 'bout that area.... knock on wood. I'm sure my unit commander would enjoy a few more bodies to command. But.. I agree with ya. That's a prime area up there to hold pyratical events. I guess we should talk with some folks to do something... check out the ren faire that is up north of Chicago. In which I like that area. Rather receptive area in a manner of speaking. But I think in 2005 with the return of the Tall Ships fest, that should be a prime target for us pirates. What say you? :) Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection

Thanx, Royaliste-mun captain. Tis a pity I missed out on all that all these years. Oh, well. As for all the renfaires around.. I've heard of the KCRF. Though that's pushing it there as well as to a long ways away for me to travel. Chicago is kinda pushing it at times. That's about 4 hours from my locale. Well... I know I will try to attend the Ren Faire at the Amanas on Labor day weekend. So.. if anyone willing to join me.. they are more than welcome to. Hoping to get down to GARF to join Jack & Barbossa & a few others in causing some havoc & fun... sometime 'round april .. maybe May. Maybe on the weekend of my Birthday. We shall see. :: knocks on wood:: Maybe if god be willin'... I'll swing up to WI for the Ren Fest there. Who knows. Like I said, depends on my re-enactment schedule as well. Huzzah! Anastazia ~Master & Commander of the Resurrection