Making a pirate flag

[Mad Woman Cheryl]

Question: Do the symbols (i.e. crossed bones, crossed bone and cutlass, have any meaning and where would I find it?

Thank 'e

[Puddle Pirate]

Often some of the symbols do have meanings. A Red flag would indicate that no mercy would be given during an attack. For more information on what each symbol means check out The Jolly Roger

Hope it helps matey

Rosz

[captweaver65]

Arr Captain Weaver,

To sew nylon proper like, do you need a special needle and or thread 

hey Stynky,

wasn't ignoring you,just missed yer post.

when I sew nylon,I use a regular sailmaker's needle that is just big enough to take the thread I'm using in the needle eye.

I use a modified sail stitch with the fabric envelope folded where pieces are fitted together and sewn with a loop made with each stitch by going through the same hole twice with each stitch before going on to the next.

[Puddle Pirate]

Here is a photo of the flag I made from scratch. I've been thinking about adding some crossed bones on each side of the skull. It's me personal colors.

Rosz

My flag

[Mad Woman Cheryl]

Thank e' Puddle Pirate, tis a great help.

[Black Pearl]

Red Maria,

I found that adhesive I used to iron my design on my flag. It be called HeatnBond Ultrahold Iron On Adhesive. I purchased it from a craft or sewing store (probably Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics). Works great.

Good luck with your own flag.

[Red Maria]

Red Maria,

I found that adhesive I used to iron my design on my flag. It be called HeatnBond Ultrahold Iron On Adhesive. I purchased it from a craft or sewing store (probably Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics). Works great.

Good luck with your own flag.

Thanks! You're really are a gem Pearl. :)

[Black Pearl]

Thanks! You're really are a gem Pearl. :)

Shhhh........... dare not say that too loud or me reputation may be ruined!

[PirateQueen]

Does anyone out there made their own flags?  What materials did you use? How did you put symbols on the flag? Painted on? Sewn on?

Next time we have an encampment, check out Barracuda's flag or my flag. We got them about 8 or 9 years ago from Baron von Eisenfaust (you probably don't remember him). He painted the designs on and bound the edges with a gold & black cording. He also hemmed a side edge and put in brass grommets. I've taken mine to events and had it hanging on one of the poles all weekend for all these years, and it's held up very well.

[Red Maria]

Does anyone out there made their own flags?  What materials did you use? How did you put symbols on the flag? Painted on? Sewn on?

Next time we have an encampment, check out Barracuda's flag or my flag. We got them about 8 or 9 years ago from Baron von Eisenfaust (you probably don't remember him). He painted the designs on and bound the edges with a gold & black cording. He also hemmed a side edge and put in brass grommets. I've taken mine to events and had it hanging on one of the poles all weekend for all these years, and it's held up very well.

I'll do that Lorilei. I've been waiting for someone close by who had made their own flag so I could see how it was done.

Thanks! :)

[Edward Graves]

Ahoy, I'm just finishing my first pirate flag. Its about 3' x4" and made of Black linen. The skull and crossed swords are of heavy weight 7 oz. white linen. I used heat bond on the white, to keep it from fraying while I was working on it and to hold it down while I whip stiched all around the edges. The flag is otherwise hand sewn. The flag is double sided. A great source for linen is the Fabrics-store.com, very good prices. I used Ilo19 black and Ilo14 Bleached for the flag.

[baptiste]

Edward Graves,

Stop talking ablout yer flag and show it to us! I am sure all of us want to see yer handy work!

Also on a tech. side, how do you do the heat treatment

Baptiste

[Zephyr]

Serious pirate flags...how did they make them in the 1600-1700's ? Paint on black fabric? I can't see them sitting around doing applique.

I'd thought to try painting a black backround to unbleached muslin...it won't need to sail (boatless).....do like the well used look...what's the point of a Jolly Roger is it's never seen some action? wrap it around some rocks and rub it on the sidewalk to give it a few shreds.....drag it behind the car?

[the Royaliste]

:) Most likely from the booty raided from merchant ships. Largest percentage of booty was goods, textiles, commodities. Beat up behind a car? Wot kinda pirate is that? Send it to us, we'll fly it a while, and depending on construction, well, you know the rest. Not a calm day on my mainmast....

[Wyldefire]

Does anyone out there made their own flags? What materials did you use? How did you put symbols on the flag? Painted on? Sewn on?

If'en I was you, I'd make it out of cotton duck (5-6 dollars a yard and available in many colors) And paint the design on with exterior paint. Use bias tape on the edges then scotchgaurd the fire outta it. The duck is heavy and should wear well, but it won't have a lot of flutter to it.

Laura Hutton

"The Dread Pirate Red"

Bosun o the Lady Inebriata

[Redd Oktober]

I made a small flag (15"x27") out of leftover sewing bits. The black background was twill, while the white and red (for an hourglass) was made of dyed muslin.

[Zephyr]

Some of the pirate flags were captured...must be in museums or mentioned in books...has anyone read how the pirates made them? lots of info on what the designs were.....not a mention of what-they-were-made-of (how could they skip that? ....inquiring minds want to know)

(kind 'a pirate what doesn't have a ship matey, we makes do with what we got 'til some fair-treasure-laden-gift-of-the-sea crosses our path). me flag will hang on me wall 'til it has somewhere else to go...

[BoneHunterLane]

Remember most sailors are a deft hand with a needle - gotta be with all that canvas overhead...

I've heard a way to make a double sided flag is to make whatever it is you want to show on your flag, i.e. skull & crossbones (or what have you) - then, cut a hole in the banner/flag that matches your design but make the hole a bit smaller. Then, stitch the design to the hole (*sigh* it's late, kinda hard to describe...) any how, you end up with the design visible from both sides, not an applique per se', just a patchwork I guess.

(or, like the muppets, you could knit a jolly roger... or, not..)

[the Royaliste]

Well, the Jolly Roger on my Ship is lovingly referred to as 'the Rag'. Down from the mainmast last nite for repairs before Ojai...more patches and repairs than hippie jeans....Give 'the Rag' a look, and you'll most likely revise your standards of quality....over 30 years at sea on this 'n....

[Perkeo]

I haven't made an actual flag yet but I finally finished my design. My avatar is the black version and I want to make a red version as well. I'm thinking a good trigger cloth should do for the body and I'll try my hand at painting it on first then if I get a good drunk on maybe I'll try my hand at sewing it......later....

[the Royaliste]

...we be wishin' ye luck, mate!!..The combination 'o sewin' 'n paint works okee-dokee, an' thar be alla the time the chance for variation when ye touch up the paint!..We've a few sea miles on RR's now, an' she's doin' fine, eh wot?

[BILLY BONES]

You really don't have to worry about a flag being made out something too heavy to fly. Old flags were usually made out of a wool similar to broadcloth. I've made pirate flags out of heavy cotton with double thicknesses, and it flew beautifully. The skull, or whatever was sewn on. Sewed it on 2 separate fields, then sewed them together. ....after all, Viking sails were a heavy wool, and they flew just fine!

[Stynky Tudor]

Arrr so, who be showing us the step by step how-to's of piratical flag making

[Cascabel]

Arrr so, who be showing us the step by step how-to's of piratical flag making

Awwww.... c'mon now, Stynky, I know ye knows how to make a proper flag, and ye has me affy-davy on that !!!!!!!

>>>> Cascabel

[Stynky Tudor]

Awwww.... c'mon now, Stynky, I know ye knows how to make a proper flag, and ye has me affy-davy on that !!!!!!!

                                          >>>> Cascabel

Aye, well I guess you could say that I've dabbled in a bit of flag making.

And if I do say so meself, here be a fine example of a pirate flag that be sewed and not silk screened or mass produced. Though you'll have to excuse the guy standing in front blocking the view, he looks to be the same bloke that were running around at PIP last year, pretending to be you.