Mary Diamond

Arrived, indeed! And what a fun trip it has been with such respected sources.

My schedule is pretty open ~ after PiP, that is.

Found these online, but I don't have the link anymore ~ LOVED it from the minute I heard it. Hoist the Colors The king and his men stole the queen from her bed and bound her in her Bones. The seas be ours and by the powers where we will we'll roam. Yo, ho, haul together, hoist the Colors high. Heave ho, thieves and beggars, never shall we die. Some men have died and some are alive and others sail on the sea – with the keys to the cage... and the Devil to pay we lay to Fiddler's Green. The bell has been raised from it's watery grave... Do you hear it's sepulchral tone? We are a call to all, pay head the squall and turn your sail toward home. Yo, ho, haul together, hoist the Colors high... Heave ho, thieves and beggars, never shall we die

Oderlesseye, is this You? I have always wondered what you look like! Maeve and William, you both look fabulous (peaches and cream, both of you!) ~ What an amazing trip that must have been! Hubby and I love Amsterdam ~ but the photos from Israel make me think Israel must be added to the list of countries to see one day.

Yes, Captain, both the baskets should be mine (the fancy natural color cheese basket, and a modern darker narrow weave rattan basket) ~ I had asked if you would like me to leave them behind to hold the perishables. The wooden bowl I cannot speak for.

Having a "laundry-list" sign of which disease is being treated, while not plausible, would certainly pique the public interest, encouraging further discourse on previous ailments treated. This could be particularly useful if our surgeon was lacking in period implements with which to draw attention.

Beautiful work! Looks like something Oderlesseye should take advantage of for his grotto ~

But of course I'll be there! Wouldn't miss it ~ Will there be dancing? Can Bilgemunky oblige us as spinmaster?

Awww, d@mn! I have been ogling their site, wanted to contact them... Now to hear they were RIGHT THERE, talking with Cheeky, myself on the side ~ Ah, well, at least I have a face to put the name to!

Would have been a refreshing alternative at Paynetown, to be sure! A lovely shot, indeed.

Precisely why I set a $100 limit on the Basics. I personally couldn't add Kass's cost to everything else I am working towards, which is why I listed Mantua Maker as an alternative. That this is not to say that Kass's patterns are not worth the investment! However, if, for example, a lady was switching from RenFaire to GAoP, she would most likely already possess almost half the expense of what is needed (that is, petticoats and a chemise or poet's shirt), bringing initial investment cost down to $59 (plus choice of pattern) and a weekend of machine sewing and fitting. Cardboard stays could give the wearer a good idea as to fit before cutting their fabric. However, while the cardboard stays are a cheap alternative, IMHO it sounds like you are investing as much time and energy for an item that won't breathe, which you will be wearing for several hours, and which must remain covered. Technically, all stays should be covered, but this is the beginning of a kit ~ the owner is Working Towards full kit, and this is a very good start. From Paynetown Pirate Festival, these various images show folks in Basic Kit (many with the appropriate Apron, which I neglected to include originally). It was close to 100 hot and steamy degrees each day with heat index, so many of us were wearing Bare Minimum just survive the heat and cooking fires. So, while not perfect, the Bare Minimum can suffice until persona and funds provide direction. Alternative Shortcuts are difficult and can be disappointing, but here are some thoughts ~ A Mantua is a fitted, collarless v-neck to waist, split front, 3/4 sleeved gown in wool or linen, with skirts left hanging or pinned up. Go from there. The Riding Habit coat is modelled after the male justaucorps - borrow a small pirate coat. A Waistcoat is a vest - find one that drops to the hips, bind in back for fit. YHS, Mary Diamond

I have to agree with you there, Ransom. She has quite the soft spoken manner about herself - yet, this can be used to her advantage when she is plotting her next 'cunning plan'. I've have never once seen her 'drop' her composure even in the most intense situations. Class act all the way.... (Sigh)...time to take a few pointers from her! (blush) Your comments are too kind ~ thank you! I guess I will throw in my two pence ~ Stays shape the mind as well as the body. Yes, I could wear modern support, but it does not put me in the proper frame of mind to stay "in character". Stays do not take a long time to make ~ the most difficult thing is adjusting the pattern to your shape (which requires patience and multiple fittings - dedicate a weekend, have a friend to help and you should have it). If you can sew a straight line, you can sew stays. I used old upholstery scraps to test the pattern (no boning needed yet!), a fat needle threaded with a narrow 1/8" satin ribbon to test lace the whole thing on (hubby helped), modified the pattern (in my case, I added 2.5" in length to the entire pattern, on tracing paper - you can also use wax paper), then re-cut and sew away! Please, if you have questions, ASK! IMHO, fitted kit (such as mantua, riding habits and formal dress) should not be made until the stays are complete, as your form will change when wearing stays. I have almost $400 of wool and linen (12 yds and 60 yds, respectively) I have not yet cut (riding habit, 3 shirts, 3 weskits, 3 sailors slops - kit for myself, hubby and our good friend), as I needed to make my stays. That said, my stays are complete, and wonderfully comfortable. I am personally happy I have waited to decide on shoes, focusing on stays instead, as my persona is still developing and GAoP knowledge expanding. I feel shoes are a reflection of your persona, and there are many shoe details/variants to choose from (toe shape, buckle or ribbon, color, heel style/height, etcera). Additionally, shoes are (as many have stated previously) one of the most expensive parts of your kit, and, as such, a purchase that should be given careful consideration, as you will most likely be living with them for quite some time. So, without further ado, my Top 6 Basic Items for the $100 Female Piratical Kit: Chemise ($20) - white linen Stays ($44) - .5 yd heavy upholsery fabric $8; .5 yd heavy lining (duck) $4; 13 yds boning (I use .5" Rigilene, about $2 yd) - $26; 2-3 packs double-fold bias tape - $6. If you use a busk, add $10. Or, get creative! Flexible temporary boning can be adapted from plastic shipping straps, bundled zip ties, broken mini-blinds, etc. Regarding pattern - I have used both Butterick B4254 Misses Stays and Corsets, and Mantua Maker 1700-1 Stays; I prefer the Mantua Maker pattern. Petticoat ($20) - linen or wool, 2-3 yds. Hat ($15) - straw or wool Plain white or black knee high or thigh high socks Your plainest black leather shoes (as simple as possible, so they won't draw attention to themselves) - to be replaced when persona and funds (estimate $100 - $250) are ready From there, you can work towards a mantua, jumps, or riding habit. By choosing your colors wisely, you can easily stretch these basic items. YHS, Mary Diamond

As requested, a few pics from the event. Alas, I was too busy to man the camera much! Many of the pics are courtesy of Midshipman Merriweather and lovely Jane.

Oh, Silkie, I am so sorry to hear of your loss ~ please know that you and your family are in my prayers.

Just checking in ~ how does it look for the group buy?

Welcome aboard! Do tell us more ~ Have you been pressed to attend PiP yet? http://pyracy.com/forums/index.php?showforum=10

Blessings from above! Thank you, GoF ~ I love your site, and appreciate your comments. Please, do post your 18th century buttons ~ I would love to see them!

All packages have gone out! William Red Wake, Captain Grey, Clay and Michael S Bagsley ~ Keep an eye on the post ~ not very fashionable, but my recycled wrapping paper tube packages are in keeping with the original cost-effective intent! Silkie, your combined package weighed much more, so it went in a box. Bonnie, yours was smaller, so a bubble mailer for you. Willie Wobble - waiting for your final quantity and mailing address. E-mails are next, with final cost including shipping. Thank you everyone!

YAY! He is going to be so happy! I will make arrangements accordingly ~

As will I, and Mark, my patient hubby, who is desperately hoping for a non-pc camping spot somewhere nearby to pop our OOP nylon tent, that he may cool his heels and read a book whilst wearing shorts, eating chips and drinking a Diet Coke with Lime. We will definitely be there, no doubt ~ but he really, REALLY (as in, Honey, I love you, but no canvas tentage) would prefer modern day camping. Any nearby options for such? Our friend Yak has triplets and a sick relative, so attendance remains in the Highly Hoped For category. Due to the triplets and single income, camping is the preferred option for him as well (most likely hanging with Mark, as this is his once every 4 years + 40th birthday vacation).

As promised, a pic of the buttons ~ showing shank detail. Color of buttons is antique brass, very similar to "antiqued" kitchen drawer pulls.

The button pic (left side buttons) in the first post is quite accurate ~ The only detail not completely shown is the shank, which is fully round. I will post a photo tomorrow showing the shank and a few buttons ~ I did purchase some extra buttons in case of latecomers ~ If there is sufficient interest, I can place another order.

Buttons have arrived! Let me just say the box was unbelievably heavy ~ 15 pounds worth of buttons in a box smaller than a shoebox! I have counted out each persons order, and have them bagged, ready to ship. Once I have them weighed, I will contact each person with their final cost including shipping. If additional buttons are needed, please contact me! Thanks for you orders and your patience ~

As always, well done, Patrick! Great visuals - a big help to see how it all goes together ~

Nay, not weird, WELL MET! I am sure many of us will be interested in your thesis ~ A Toast to the Tart!