Kalamazoo: Reflections

Kalamazoo is over and I have finished unpacking and sorting things back into their tubs, boxes, and clothing racks. 

I always do some reflecting after an event - what went well? What could I do better next time? What did I learn? Did I help anyone as they tried to learn about the 18th century? And more. 

This year, several things helped me realize just how far I'd come in the few short years since I'd returned to re-enacting.

Although I did a fair amount of living history events in the 1990s with Leslie and our mom (we had an 18th trading company called Chien Noir), I only came back to the hobby in 2021. 

Helping Leslie set up for the 2021 Feast. (To make her golf cart more 18th century-ish, I taped an in-harness Hartland knock off to the front of it.)

I began by making Lisa and myself some 18th century riding habits and then helping Leslie with Chien Noir, selling her fabrics for her. From that, Jolis Chevaux (Pretty Horses) was born and I have been attending events ever since.

Lisa and me walking in the opening ceremonies of the 2021 Feast of the Hunters' Moon with our friend Mary .

Three years later, I know a lot of people and have a good customer base. But, I had not realized just how established I was until this year's Kalamazoo. I was more than a little surprised, but pleasantly so, too.

~ A former customer, Keith, asked Maggie on Friday before I'd arrived where I was and if I was bringing shirts again this year. He came back again very early Saturday morning, selected one off my clothing rack, and had her hold it for him until I got there and he could pay me for it.

I only know his first name and that he is a blacksmith, so Lisa and I call him "Keith the blacksmith." Here he is last year wearing the shirt he'd bought from me then.

~ Lisa and Frank were walking around the show and saw Keith the blacksmith's booth and headed over to visit. He was talking to someone when they arrived and they overheard him recommend that they find "the shirt lady" (me) and then give them directions my booth. Considering how many merchants were there and selling clothing, I was honored by his recommendation.

~ A woman stopped by and asked about the clothing I had on display. After a conversation about them and the fabrics I used, she told me that she worked at  the Old Fort at Fort Wayne, Indiana. She asked me if I would come there and speak about fabrics and clothing from the 18th century. I've got the literature she gave me and her contact information, but I have some other projects in the works and don't think I'll have time this year. Maybe in 2025 if she still wants me to come.

~ My friend Maggie (Carol) has been reenacting for years and runs Chien Noir for Leslie and Rick, selling their block print fabrics in the booth next to mine. 

Maggie showing block print fabrics to a customer.

I was very surprised this year when she began calling me over when her customers had fabric or sewing questions. One lady even brought in a big bag of fabrics that she'd gotten at an estate sale and wanted to know if they were linen. Maggie put me to work identifying them. (Some were, some were blends.)

As I reflected on this year's Kalamazoo event, I realized that I have become more than "Leslie's sister," (which is how I have so often been introduced.) I don't mind that introduction one bit - I am very proud of all that Leslie has accomplished and does to keep living history alive. Even more, I am proud to call her my sister.

But it's also nice to be known as "the shirt lady," to help folks with fabric and sewing questions, and to stand on my own two feet in the living history community. I love helping to keep the 18th century alive, to teach and pass on the research and knowledge that I myself now have.

Kalamazoo 2024 showed me that that has begun to happen. 

Speaking of doing research, I did some on my mother's beautiful chatelaine, and had a major surprise - it wasn't my mother's! 

Stay 'tooned!