'Beer Belly' Bellamy Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 As a pirate one should have a pirate flag. That sounds easier than it is to achieve, at least that's my experience.There are lots of templates out there, but I found it very difficult to find a pattern that suits my taste and needs.I don't want a too complicated design, because such don't feel very period, if you consider that a sail maker had to make such a flag back in the 1700's. And I don't want to just copy one of the better known designs like that of Calico Jack, although I like the crossed sabers more than the crossed bones (because in my oppinion the ratio between the head and the sabers looks better than between head and bones - just a feel of design).And then a flag design really hit me. It's from Roman Polanski's "Pirates". Who ever came up with that design did a really great job. It looks handmade, it feels period and it have some humor just sewn in. The teeth missing skull is less scary and more funny!I first thought of making my own design based on this flag but then I decided to just copy it one to one, because that design just feels perfect (and it could be seen as an homage to the original designer). My flag is made of linen and has the measures 135 cm x 250 cm (about 53" x 98"). The inspiration (a srceenshot from Polanski's "Pirates" title sequence) my design made in corelDRAW (I have made the sabers a little bit wider) the layout for printing the pattern on cardboard the cut-out pieces of linen positioning on the black linen the obverse layout on the reverse - back-to-front spray adhesive comes in handy when you do not like pins to attach stuff down I still have to made the hem by hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas. Hook Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 (edited) Mr. Christian - Well done! I just saw your Davy Jones Locker photos. Awesome! What is the base (material) for the placque and ropes? Edited May 27, 2015 by Jas. Hook "Born on an island, live on an island... the sea has always been in my blood." Jas. Hook "You can't direct the wind . . . but . . . you can adjust the sails." "Don't eat the chickens with writing on their beaks." Governor Sawney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxBuchanan Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Awesome job! It looks great. I've been looking into making my own flag as well and this is definitely both inspiration and a heading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Double sided All-Cloth flags (as opposed to painted cloth ones) are a pain to make... you have to cut-out and turn the edge of all the pieces as you sew them, and then turn it over and cut-out the background, and then turn all the edges and sew them... Lots of work, but once it's done it looks cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madPete Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 (edited) Awesome project. Just finished a smaller version of the Mercury (compared to William's). Lots of work but in the end it turned out fantastic. This was with very thin white leather rather than linen, with some black accents on black wool. stitched on both sides, it is definitely a labor of love. https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cKiN8MuaHigFWPgkkLClOP6zHiZ1HCUvsz46ly5DIaU?feat=directlink mP Edited May 29, 2015 by madPete Aye... Plunder Awaits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Beer Belly' Bellamy Posted May 29, 2015 Author Share Posted May 29, 2015 The stiching of the fringe is yet to be made on my flag. It's a real pain to get both sides of the applications lined up eactly and it won't work every time, but the fringe stiching should cover up most of the unaccuracies But after all it's a pirate's flag, so some unaccuracies should make it just more accurate Your flag looks very good Mr. Pete, I also like the design, it feels quite period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madPete Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 This is William Brand's design. He is the Mercury Quartermaster and graphic designer extrordinaire. Since the Mercury crew is flung far and wide, crew members have crafted several flags for events where they are the only Mercury crew attending. This one is only 54" by 40". Williams is like 8ft X 6ft and all hand-stitched linen pieces. I know cause I've helped repair it! It is quite a marvel. mP https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hJo5932rWGKv5IGoJ2yAgNpzZ1ioESN-GRkNKXc35nQ?feat=directlink Aye... Plunder Awaits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madPete Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 I just hate when the links get broke! here was my flag based on Williams design: flag by madPete Here is William's flag: william's flag Aye... Plunder Awaits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Jim Posted November 3, 2016 Share Posted November 3, 2016 Excellent work. My occupational hazard bein' my occupation's just not around... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Brand Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 On 10/26/2016 at 10:38 PM, madPete said: I just hate when the links get broke! here was my flag based on Williams design: flag by madPete Here is William's flag: william's flag My wife Tracy hand sewed our flag using linen thread and linen cross bones on a wool bunting. It's an amazing flag and she worked tirelessly to make it happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stynky Tudor Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 On 10/26/2016 at 9:38 PM, madPete said: my flag based on Williams design: flag by madPete Here is William's flag: william's flag Great stuff! I really like the Mercury Crew Flag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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