Mary Diamond

And plans are discussed more or less all the time ~ Brig, Mae and I were talking about how lovely it was down there ~ can hardly wait to get back!

Dear Captain, Wishing you a wonderful Birthday, and many, many more! I am honored to be a part of your crewe ~

Goodness! I hope things start looking up for you and yours soon ~ 'tis a New year, this is not the way to start! Wishing you the better times, or, at the very least, much less of what is plaguing you ~

Dear, aren't you supposed to be resting? It is a shame you cannot attend RF4 ~ I could have shown you my Leather 1.5" heel boots for you to check the calf allowance, and given you your Brown Leather Boots! Ah, well, I will get them in the post to you next week ~ hopefully you will be feeling better when you receive them! I have indeed been keeping a weather eye for appropriate Colonial shoes and dress shoes for the Ladies. As soon as I come across any, I will advise. YHS, Mary Diamond

Good Morning (just barely!) ~ I want to thank all my customers for their kind patronage. I am happy to be of service! For future customers ~ please note that the Buckle Shoes fit an average width best. The Leather Boots, on the other hand, seem to be fairly accomodating (I can wear extra socks in mine, making them ideal for cool weather), and, as they are leather, can also be stretched a bit. Men's Buckle Shoes are, indeed, out of stock until June 2008. However, there is a fair supply of Ladies Buckle Shoes. The Leather Boots do take some time to get in, and the Men's Medium is currently on backorder. Please feel free to e-mail me directly if you have any questions. Note that I have purposely left my Pub PM folder full, to encourage e-mail. Thank you for your interest ~ YHS, Mary Diamond

Oh my! The look on Orlando's face is priceless ~

Well, while I am sad to hear you cannot make it due to illness, Lady B, you will be avoiding our winter storm. Sigh ~ and I thought we were going to get lucky this year. For those of you attending, Chicago Tribune weather

Mad Jack ~ As always, well done. Yourself and Janelle look splendid.

Oh! So sorry to have missed your day, but warm Birthday wishes nonetheless! I hope it was wonderful ~

Welcome, and well met!

Cool gig, Bilgemunky! I think you will have fun ~

Agreed, Captain Jim ~ Rattan, wicker and caning would be your search ~ here is a link to one supplier: http://www.franksupply.com

Speaking from my personal experience ~ When the scenario calls for it, I carry 2 Queen Anne Pistols, a sword, and a cartridge box (which I believe you are calling a hunting bag?) on a belt. In addition to the riding habit, it feels like carrying an additional 20 pounds around your waist. And that is not even considering the items in my pockets! (Camera, handkerchief, lip balm, doubloons, mini-wallet, phone). After 8 hours at PiP in my wool riding habit, with pistols & cartridge box, wearing sensible buckle shoes, my back was begging for mercy. That being said, I never had to worry as to where I was going to set my guns down (both being secure in my belt). A fowler will constantly keep at least one hand occupied, and it easily knocked over when set down. (I personally prefer both hands free to drink and shop at will.) I would advise Ilanah to first wear the many layers of a riding habit, before attempting to carry around a large and awkward firearm, which can weigh 6 pounds or more. Also, keep in mind that the riding habit was a common travel outfit, so it would not be necessary to carry a gun at all times. And, for purposes of self-preservation in town, I could hardly think of a less cumbersome item for a woman to aim in a quick fight. It would be easier to use it as a club! Embroidery featured quite highly in a ladies wardrobe ~ as purses were not used commonly, a pair of lovely embroidered linen pockets under a ladies petticoats were actually one of the things counted amongst "A Ladies Things". A few common embroidered items ~ Embroidered stomacher 1720-40 Embroidered pockets 1760-80 Embroidered apron 1740

Well done!

Oh, Silkie, this sounds like such a fantastic opportunity! Please do keep us posted ~

Indeed! Lovely images, Captain, and thank you so much for the helpful insights as we all continue to develop our character. I daresay it is as helpful for the gents to read this as the ladies ~ the better to understand us by.

Well its not going to be Pyratie..... But I do have a Letter of Marque from Emporor Norton...... I have a difficult time getting in a Pyratical mood in Winter, so (other than the Pub), I'm going to play something else for awhile..... I'm also planning on going to Burning Man this year, so that will cut into some of my Pyrate Tyme..... Yes, I understood ~ still can't wait to see your steampunk efforts! Alternative interests like these are continually filling my days ~ truly, I need many more lifetimes than the short one I am allowed! BlackJohn ~ No, my Dad is a hobbyist woodworker, who has been sucked into my pyratical re-creation. He has patiently worked with me on my sea chest, busks, lucets, and other items. He appreciates the steampunk concepts, however.

Fantastic, Patrick! Please, do keep us posted ~ if it is even remotely as well conceived and executed as your pyrate-related projects, it should be a wonderful piece.

Most appreciated, BlackJohn ~ I have shown my parents some steampunk projects ~ my poor Dad! I try not to overwhelm him too much, but I think Datamancer's laptop nearly undid him. Wonderful stuff, I have always loved Gibson, cyberpunk, anime &c. I wonder if anyone has thought about doing a Calculor, a la McMullen? Such a grand scale, though ~ would most likely need to be re-purposed.

My apologies for the delay. I am only on the Pub once or twice a day at present. Blackwork considerably predates GAoP, and had lost popularity by the 17th century. I personally have not seen any English, French or Dutch portraits from GAoP which have shown blackwork of any kind. Should your friend come across any examples, I would be interested in seeing them.

Sorry, what are the rumors from PiP? Or, perhaps you are referring to our enterprising Maddogge? Perhaps look at it this way ~ the cut (fashion) of the clothes are fairly standardized, even today. It is the material that makes the clothing stand apart. I am not sure I understand what you mean by a mantua/shift combo, and I must apologize for generically lumping all the dresses into a "fancy mantua" category (which they are not). I will do my best to answer your question, though I am still learning myself, and I am sure there are far more knowledgeable persons than myself. Please correct me if I am wrong! I believe the 1718 dress is similar cut to one I am working on ~ what I have been told is called a "bodice gown". Essentially, it is a covered pair of back laced stays with fixed shoulders and/or sleeves and an attached petticoat (skirt)(all one piece, like a wedding dress with a split skirt), worn over a second, separate petticoat. So, the 4 layers are as follows: linen chemise (which I believe you are calling a shift?), linen petticoat, dress petticoat, bodice gown. Hoops optional. This differs from the mantua, in that the mantua pulls on like a robe (pardon the comparison), and is pinned to the stays at the center waist. (For a more well-to-do, a stomacher (an embroidered piece of material) is pinned to the stays before the mantua is pulled on ~ see below image) A separate pair of petticoats are worn beneath. Bess's red wool mantua probably best illustrates the layering. The cream area under her mantua is her stomacher. Oh, and Ransom ~ You would be stunning in a mantua. Your carriage, lovely peaches and cream skin... an absolute vision.

My dear hubby was kind enough to give me the Dread Pirate board game for Christmas. One of the playing cards has the following on it: Lore & More: In 1706 Pirate Fitzgerald Bonesteller, a well-muscled, vicious brute, survived the drop from a hangman's gibbet and then chewed through his noose. The gathered townspeople were so terrified at the sight they fled, allowing Bonesteller to escape. So, I put it to the Pub ~ Fact or Fiction?

Umm, well, ah, that is to say... private arrangements and all...

I am sorry, Cheeky, but no, it would not be possible for turnaround by RF4 ~

Perhaps, if your wife likes the "fancy" look, a fancy mantua is perhaps more appropriate ~ please see the images below. dated 1683 dated 1686 dated 1698 dated 1718 dated 1719-20