The Challenge: Save the Date August 25, 2012

Mark your calendars -- The Challenge Event - A Muster Day in Concord 1773, will take place on August 25, 2012. (rain date August 26th) at Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, MA.

What will you do to take your impression to a new level?  Some may choose to tweak their existing kit, while others will take this opportunity to create a new hand stitched outfit. Whatever you opt for, if you start now, you have 9 months to make it happen.

We're finishing up the website and will have all of the details for you shortly.  In the meantime, how do you want to turn out at the Muster Day next summer?

The Challenge --Jury Duty

Nothing strikes fear in the hearts of reenactors like the words, "juried event".  It conjures up images of showing up to participate and being turned away by the evil stitch counters because your kit wasn't good enough.  Just the word itself is frightful,  "jury" it brings to mind being called to jury duty, or an image of 12 people sitting in a box passing judgment on YOU!  Being juried by your peers, implies that you have done something wrong and you will incur a punishment or penalty!

Well, that is not what this is about.  Yes, The Challenge will involve a juried event scheduled for next summer.  However, all the participants are, in essence, part of the jury.  The Challenge is a process designed to push you towards your goal of an impression that meets the prescribed guidelines.  Self examination is always hard, but will be the most crucial element of this jury process.  If you know what you need to do, or if you know what you have is appropriate, then you are ready for the "jury".   If you know something needs some improvement, then this is a great opportunity to make that improvement.  If you are not sure, we will help you out, and opportunities will be available for one on one assistance.  

Most importantly, the thumbs up/ thumbs down will be happening all along the way. Questions will be answered, fabrics vetted, details debated during the entire process. The last thing we want to see is someone spending the time and effort on something and have it be wrong.  Unfortunately, that happens far too often in this hobby, and it is one of the primary reasons we founded the Hive to begin with -- to be a resource for area reenactors to have access to the latest research as well as a place to learn and get support from others.  So jury-schmury, this is about improvement and growth and the fun that can be had in the process.

Yes, the event is juried, but in the end, the ultimate arbiter will be the primary sources from the period. 

The Challenge --Is "New" Necessary?

Do I have to create all new clothes for The Challenge?

Do you want to?

Do you need to?

Some people will, because it is a good excuse to make something new and they have just been looking for a reason to finally get around to using that really good fabric they bought two years ago.   Some people just don't have the time or the desire or the money to make something new.

The object of this exercise is to not force anyone to start from scratch (unless you want to) but to provide an opportunity and a reason for you to look at your existing clothing and make changes to improve your impression.  Fix those shift sleeves so they are not down around your wrists, replace that machine sewn apron with a hand sewn one, small improvements can make a big difference and some don't cost a thing except a few hours of time.  In addition, we are asking participants to look beyond "generic 18th century" and focus on Massachusetts in 1773, not Pennsylvania, Virginia or Maryland in 1778 or 1783.  So what does your current impression look like?  For example, do you have a shortgown, that is more appropriate for the mid-Atlantic than Massachusetts?  Then consider a bedgown, which is better suited to New England.

Okay, so you have a impeccably hand sewn, center front closing gown with polonaise style back (vs. pleated en fourreau).  Spot on for late and post war but, in this case, too far fashion forward for 1773. Wearing styles that had not yet been invented would not be appropriate for this event.  If you participate in Battle Road and other pre-war events, a stomacher front/en fourreau back gown would be in keeping with the fashion of that particular time period and this event could be your motivation to create a new gown that would serve you well for the reenacting you do in this time period.

This challenge has started us (the Crazy Concord Chicks) on a research path to determine exactly what women in New England were wearing in the early 1770's, hence the portrait of the week posts.  Something we might not be pursuing, if it were not for this challenge.  That is what we are hoping will happen with everyone who participates, challenge all the assumptions, question what you think you know, document it and then represent it.

Another example -- you have a partially hand sewn (you did the unseen seams by machine) stomacher front/en fourreau back gown and you just made it and cannot even imagine trying to sew another at this point.  This might be a chance to look at the other parts of your kit.  Take a look at the caps being worn in the portraiture of the early 1770's, perhaps it's time for a new cap, new handkerchief or new apron. How can I accessorize my current look to be more in line to a woman coming out to a social gathering where she would want to put her best foot forward so to speak.

Remember this event is not mandatory, it is a new event especially targeted for civilian impressions. If you decide that this is something you want to do, you won't be out there in the wilderness trying to figure this all out on your own.  We will be adding morning Sunday Hive sewing bees, starting in January, for you to get feedback and help with your projects, as well as to share research.  In addition we will also have a Facebook page for you to discuss your progress with others, ask questions and post pictures.  And you'll have those Crazy Concord Chicks to inspire, motivate and perhaps even amuse you with how they undertake this challenge and see their progress and frustrations as well.

Coming Next: Jury Duty

Why a Challenge?

Because we all need a little motivation.  Let's face it, we're human and we are all busy people with jobs, families and life commitments.  Most of us use goals as motivational tools. Want to run faster and longer, you enter a road race.  Want to improve your handicap, you sign up for that charity match at the local golf course.  Have a couple of pounds to lose?  Put the date of your high school reunion on the calendar and see what happens.  And there are those of us in the reenactment world who look forward to an upcoming event and use the event to motivate them to make something new or add a new accessory to their impression or finally finish that project that is hanging on the chair.

We all have parts of our kit that need work.  Even things we thought were totally correct at one point turn out not to be with the advent of new research.  Kitting up for living history is not an exact science.  We don't have the same materials available to us, the research is on-going, plus this is a hobby and we need to play within our means and abilities.  However, that does not mean we shouldn't strive to improve the things we can and a small local event or a large national event can be the impetus to make those improvements.

We selected a muster day because it allows for a wide range of interpretive possibilities - from lower class to upper class, military or not.  And a specific date was chosen in order to explore the nuances in clothing of a particular year and locale, as well as to get a more focused look at pre-war Concord.

Some people will embrace this challenge, others will not.  There are those who live for the big powder burner events, while some prefer small town programs, while there are still others who just adore roughing it at an immersion event -- that's what make the world go round.

Those who choose to participate will set a goal for this challenge that is appropriate for them.  And since staying on track is easier with the support and guidance of those with similar goals, everyone will have each other to help keep them motivated.  Research will be shared, ideas exchanged, and we'll each be challenged to move forward.

Coming next: Does that mean I have to make a whole new kit?

What's in the Works?

Dearest Friends,
This week The Hive will be announcing our very first New England Living History Challenge. We are challenging the reenactment community to embark on a ten month journey with us to raise the level of our individual impressions - culminating in an event in August, developed specifically for you to show off your accomplishment.  We'll be creating a muster day in Concord in 1773.

We've established this blog (and are working on another for the guys) so you can follow several people, from a wide range of experience levels, as they take on this challenge. Everyone will have a different way of going at this, some will go over the top, some will make one new garment while making adjustments to existing ones, while many will most likely fall somewhere in between.

We're just putting the finishing touches on a website that will answer all of your questions and fully outline the guidelines of "The Challenge". In addition, we'll have a Facebook page for you to discuss your progress, get help and share your experience with other participants.  Each Sunday Hive, starting in January, will also include a morning session for you to get help with your projects, ask questions and share research.  We'd like to see everyone who signs up to participate enjoy the process and be successful in this endeavor.

So, stay tuned, there is more to come this week!  In the meantime, start thinking about how you might like to look in the summer of 1773.

YH&OS,
Mrs. S.