Making a full kit in four months

[madPete]

3 minutes ago, Tartan Jack said:

I have a list longer than my arm of stuff I need to make.

3 of those are flags.

 

BUT …

I need motivation to actually MAKE any of them.

 

The colonial privateer flag (for our South Carolina Navy privateer impressions) needs to be priority one.

You want motivation?  Remember there are stocks at Fort King George! LOL

[Tartan Jack]

11 hours ago, madPete said:

You want motivation?  Remember there are stocks at Fort King George! LOL

Ya’ll have to GET there first!

[Stynky Tudor]

On 11/24/2023 at 10:00 AM, madPete said:

Quite the Dapper pirate there!

Well thank you.

[Stynky Tudor]

On 11/25/2023 at 8:03 AM, Tartan Jack said:

I have a list longer than my arm of stuff I need to make.

3 of those are flags.

Do you sew your flags by hand, use a machine? Do you sew the insignia on both sides?

[Tartan Jack]

46 minutes ago, Stynky Tudor said:

Do you sew your flags by hand, use a machine? Do you sew the insignia on both sides?

I’ve made a few over the years.

Recently, I made 2 for pirate & SC Navy (Rev War). I flew the tartan one at Conde & Dauphin.

 

Those are all handsewn, with appliquéd (sewn on) emblems- as fit those designs.

I’ve made multi-part one, but much smaller.

 

The SC Navy one is visually based upon images from 1776-1778 of the “Moultrie” flag, as shown in an image of an SC Navy ship on a 1778 state bank note. It’s made of linen.

 

Tartan Jack’s Tartan Jack was finished soon before the September events in Alabama & first flown the weekend before in Camden, SC. It’s made from an unknown material (chosen for color & “feel”-  I think it’s cotton, but didn’t do a burn test it when I relocated it a few months ago). I started seaming the fly over 10 years previously. The graphic is based upon the woodcut of Stede Bonnet in Johnson’s General History.

 

The privateer flag will be linen & I’m “back & forthing” just making it red linen (selvedge-to-selvedge top-bottom) 5-6 feet long & add the blue & white rectangles to get the correct pattern (based on 1730s ensign standards for privateers). The intent is to look like it was made by colonial sailors with a marque letter, rather than a professionally-made one (Royal Navy, etc), who serve the local provenancial navy/government.

 

One project is a “Scotttish Navy Red Ensign” which has the Scot saltaire in the canton of a red field/ground. That one will be pieces sewn together, of linen.

 

I have wool for a pirate flag or 2 as well, bit those would be smaller. I have some prefect wool to use- in black & white.

The red & navy wool I have are too heavy weave.

 

[Tartan Jack]

SC Navy flag in context & source images

(image heavy)

 

The sources:

2 paintings made after Battle of Sullivan’s Island, 1776- painted a week after the battle (one showing start, & one the aftermath). The artist was stationed at another fort across the harbour

2 British wood cuts based upon the British after-action report

1778 state bill showing the fort & a crescent on the left side

Bill showing the SC Navy ship Prosper, with the crescent/Moultrie flag shown fore & aft. (forgot date off the top of my head- but made 1776-17780)

 

The flag is shown flown at the June 2023 “Carolina Day” event at Fort Moultrie remembering the 1776 battle.

We were there representing the South Carolina Navy.

[madPete]

I did this one and a similar size Mercury flag (with WIlliam's blessing) a couple years ago.

3x4 ft Wool with white linen and red wool hand stitched on the field. I still need to add grommets so it can be flown.

[Tartan Jack]

18 hours ago, madPete said:

I did this one and a similar size Mercury flag (with WIlliam's blessing) a couple years ago.

3x4 ft Wool with white linen and red wool hand stitched on the field. I still need to add grommets so it can be flown.

Looks fantastic!

 

How did you do the Mercury wings?

Paint on a large piece?

-If so, what kind of paint?

Or lots of small pieces?

Edited November 27, 2023 by Tartan Jack

[madPete]

Combination of larger pieces and paint. Can't remember what paint I used and I forgot this one used very thin leather on a wool flag.

[Tartan Jack]

19 hours ago, madPete said:

Combination of larger pieces and paint. Can't remember what paint I used and I forgot this one used very thin leather on a wool flag.

Beautiful!

[madPete]

7 hours ago, Tartan Jack said:

Beautiful!

I've always loved William's design - it renders so cool!

[Stynky Tudor]

On 11/26/2023 at 10:47 AM, Tartan Jack said:

SC Navy flag in context & source images

(image heavy)

Nice work - props!

[Stynky Tudor]

On 11/27/2023 at 2:36 PM, madPete said:

Combination of larger pieces and paint. Can't remember what paint I used and I forgot this one used very thin leather on a wool flag.

That is such a cool design. Is this the same flag we flew at Fort Gains?

[Tudor MercWench Smith]

On 11/24/2023 at 1:00 PM, madPete said:

 We're waiting til the next event is four months out to announce it.

Then you can start all over again!😁😁😁

Probably what I need for motivation! 

I ended up phoning in Halloween due to personal issues so another year with store bought costumes

 

and then we finally ran out of bed sheets with neck holes and bathrobes that would suit for the annual st Nicholas day play at church, so last week and this week have been dedicated to five quick n' dirty byzantine tunics. 

 

so maybe by Christmas I can find time to do my mending from ft Gaines and start on all the additional kit I want. But by then....

will definitely need motivation!!!

[madPete]

On 11/29/2023 at 8:24 AM, Stynky Tudor said:

That is such a cool design. Is this the same flag we flew at Fort Gains?

Nope I made it for events where Wiliam is not present with the big flag. this one is much smaller

 

[Mary Diamond]

Such lovely work, all.

[Tudor MercWench Smith]

*Ding ding ding*

Round two!!!

Three months out till the next event and here's my project list for my own kit, in no particular order

Mend

- hem and buttons on the last minute shirt I was working on at Gaines ✅ (finished before I even posted the list so I could feel like I was ahead of the curve)

- hem the purple petticoat from Gaines

- mend the grey short slops, probably put in a gusset 

- possibly alter the black booties I have to make them look more period

- possibly re-pleat red petticoat

- reinforce some weak points on my stays

- reshape hat, find new pin

 

Make

- waist coat (top priority)

- scarves, head and neck

- 3rd skirt

- 3rd pair of slops

- under drawers

- Mantua, possibly

- apron

- knapsack 

- women's shift

- bum roll

 

Shop for

- more stockings

- frail/grass basket

 

 

Gear

- Chest/trunk refinish (possibly my next project, found one for free, antique but not period, needs a few repairs and refinishings and I have to decide if I want to add hardware to make it look more period)

- better/more dishes and cookware

 

Edited January 21 by Tudor MercWench Smith

[madPete]

9 hours ago, Tudor MercWench Smith said:

*Ding ding ding*

Round two!!!

Three months out till the next event and here's my project list for my own kit, in no particular order

Mend

- hem and buttons on the last minute shirt I was working on at Gaines ✅ (finished before I even posted the list so I could feel like I was ahead of the curve)

- hem the purple petticoat from Gaines

- mend the grey short slops, probably put in a gusset 

- possibly alter the black booties I have to make them look more period

- possibly re-pleat red petticoat

- reinforce some weak points on my stays

- reshape hat, find new pin

 

Make

- waist coat (top priority)

- scarves, head and neck

- 3rd skirt

- 3rd pair of slops

- under drawers

- Mantua, possibly

- apron

- knapsack 

- women's shift

- bum roll

 

Shop for

- more stockings

- frail/grass basket

 

 

Gear

- Chest/trunk refinish (possibly my next project, found one for free, antique but not period, needs a few repairs and refinishings and I have to decide if I want to add hardware to make it look more period)

- better/more dishes and cookware

 

If you would like to try stiffening your hat with shellac flakes, I can send you some. I have a big baggie full and it only takes a couple tablespoons per can of denatured alcohol, then all you need is a spray bottle. LMK.

I'm gonna start another thread for my kit rather than hijack your thread 😀

[Tudor MercWench Smith]

On 1/21/2024 at 9:56 PM, madPete said:

If you would like to try stiffening your hat with shellac flakes, I can send you some. I have a big baggie full and it only takes a couple tablespoons per can of denatured alcohol, then all you need is a spray bottle. LMK.

I'm gonna start another thread for my kit rather than hijack your thread 😀

I probably should stiffen it....I just loved the floppy hat aesthetic for some reason.

 

And honestly I don't mind the thread hijack but your own thread will probably get better attention for your projects 🙂

[Tudor MercWench Smith]

Ok...image heavy post incoming!

 

First project (while fabric is washing and I search for good patterns) is my FB free-score chest!!!

Here it is in all it's "glory". Definitely antique. Probably late 1800s so we'll out of period. But dove tail joints and square nails and a simple style that is similar enough to extant 17/18th cent chests I've seen pics of. 

 

As you can see, there are definitely damages. Big crack in the top, chipping at the corners, splinter base frame bar.  Finish-wise, the top is all torn up and if I had to guess it was sitting in water at some point cause there is a clear line around the bottom. 

So now I have choices to make....

- Do I repair the actual damage? If so what techniques are period or at least won't look obvi modern. 

- do I strip/sand/refinish?

- do I add decorative metal strapping/faux hinges/locks/handles etc to make it look more correct period 

ooooorrr...do I leave it pretty much as is except for a good scrub with Murphy's oil to maintain the weathered look as would be befitting a chest that made two laps around the continent, a trans Atlantic journey and eventual life bouncing around on various pirate ships? (And thereby also maintaining whatever historical integrity the piece has in its own right? 

 

things I'm pretty certain will happen no matter what:

- include chain on the inside to keep the lid from falling too far back and stressing the hinges

- handles of some kind. Based on holes/damage on the side, it looks like it might have once had some.

- a fabric lining, to both help keep my clothes from snagging but also to cover up the scratches on the inside that I can't help but think they are finger nail marks 🤨

 

So what is the thoughts of the crew?

 

[madPete]

Personally I would just accomplish whatever repairs it needs, maybe strengthen the corners if needed. The outside looks rustic which is good. As you have time you can put a new lining or embellish as desired.

[michaelsbagley]

Yeah, I agree with what MadPete said, make the repairs needed to make it serviceable, and forget refinishing. The murphy's soap scrub is a great idea.

I've been restoring a fair bit of antique furniture over the last few years, mostly it has been reupholstery work, but the few time I ran into wood damage, I just poured in a little watered down wood glue (somewhere between 1:1 glue:water and 2:1 glue:water. if the cracks are fine, this will help slow down additional cracking, if there is any gap, this will not work, and you will have to introduce wood filler, or sawdust to thicken the glue/water for filling.

[madPete]

I put rope handles on all my boxes. After helping carry someone elses box with too small, steel handles that pinched fingers, I said never again.

2 holes with the rope knotted on the inside. Look at sailor chests online, there are other period ways to do this, but rope is easy and comfortable on the hands. Just make sure it extends above the lid with enough room for the hands, or it crushes your hands against the side of the box if theres a lot of weight.

A Balemark? I can bring the Mercury block to the event...

"- a fabric lining, to both help keep my clothes from snagging but also to cover up the scratches on the inside that I can't help but think they are finger nail marks 🤨"

EEGADS, someone was locked in your trunk???!?? hmmmpf... damn... hmmmphhphh... pyra... tes...

[Stynky Tudor]

On 1/21/2024 at 10:57 AM, Tudor MercWench Smith said:

*Ding ding ding*

Round two!!!

FIGHT!

I'm so jealous of you guys making cool stuff. I usually take over the dinning room table in mid Winter until sometime in Spring. But we've had an almost constant stream of (family) visitors since November and it hasn't stopped. 

[Tudor MercWench Smith]

17 hours ago, madPete said:

I put rope handles on all my boxes. After helping carry someone elses box with too small, steel handles that pinched fingers, I said never again.

2 holes with the rope knotted on the inside. Look at sailor chests online, there are other period ways to do this, but rope is easy and comfortable on the hands. Just make sure it extends above the lid with enough room for the hands, or it crushes your hands against the side of the box if theres a lot of weight.

A Balemark? I can bring the Mercury block to the event...

"- a fabric lining, to both help keep my clothes from snagging but also to cover up the scratches on the inside that I can't help but think they are finger nail marks 🤨"

EEGADS, someone was locked in your trunk???!?? hmmmpf... damn... hmmmphhphh... pyra... tes...

I did contemplate this as in my collection of reference photos I saw that and thought it looked the most "pirate", but based off the style of the trunk, and the provenance of where my person would have gotten it, some fancier trunk hardware I think would make the most sense. But to avoid that exact hand pinch-y-ness I am making sure that I am checkin dimensions on it and looking for something that's at least a 5-6 inch diameter so it's not hard to fit a hand through. For reference, below is a comparison between an extant (earlier period, but again correct for provenance) trunk I found photos of online and the trunk I'm refinishing. I picked this particular reference as the example to model off of based off similarity of shape etc

 

 

The handles on the period example also look like the drop "hinged" style too, which should also help with grip for lifting. I am sold on those. I am pretty certain I will grab some of the corner backets, but not sure I will shell out the money for the front strapping or faux locks. The existing lock is broken and has no plate on the front.