The Crossroads Rendezvous Workshop Series brings the lessons of Living History indoors! These classes are open to the public and geared towards both seasoned reenactors wanting to work on their portrayal, as well as those hoping to enter into the hobby, or even those who just want to acquire a new skill!. Workshops are held at the Crossroads Museum, located at 200 N. Mill St. in Saukville. Space is limited. Please register below by entering your name and email; in the comment section, please add the title of the workshop you are registering for. Some workshops may require a materials fee, payable on the day of the workshop. *If you register for a workshop and are unable to attend, please let us know so we can open your spot for others. Please contact info@CrossroadsRendezvous.org or use the form below if you have any questions regarding the workshops.
Saturday, February 12 Noon-5 p.m.
A Tailoring We Will Go with Jay Oestreich
A self-taught tailor, member of Goffe's Co., and Admin for The Endeavor, a reenactor's resource group on Facebook, Jay and Brent Sitz (The Progressive Tailor)will discuss the fit and construction of 18th Century Men's breeches and then assist you with your projects. Need help fitting a vest or understanding your pattern for breeches? Want to make a shirt but have no idea how to start? This is the class for you! Bring your material, thread, notions and pattern, if applicable (focus on hand sewing). Jay will return for another workshop to help you finish what you started later in the series.
Saturday and Sunday, February 26
Echoes of the Past Trade Fair
Sunnyview Exposition Center - Oshkosh, WI
Are you interested in Living History? The Trade Fair is an excellent place to get started. Meet local groups and find everything you need to get started!
Saturday, March 5 Noon-5
A Tailoring We will Go, Part II, with Jay Oestreich
Jay and Brent return to discuss the fit and construction of 18th Century men's coats/jackets and, if there is demand, will do a reprise of their presentation on breeches. This workshop is for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of 18th Century men's clothing, ages 16 and up. You do not need to have taken Jay's first workshop to attend this one. If you have an article of clothing or pattern you are working on, feel free to bring it with to get advice, feedback, or just have some dedicated sewing time; however, you do not need to bring a project to attend this class. Despite "tailor" in the title, seamstresses are welcome:)
Saturday, March 12 Noon-5
Basket Weaving with Karen Hartman
Author of the Dream Catcher books and known as the "Dream Catcher Lady," Karen shares traditional Native American stories and crafts at fairs and reenactments throughout the country. Participants will learn basic weaving and twining techniques to make a small, wall hanging scrap basket. There is a $15 supply fee for this class, payable on the day of the class.
Saturday, March 19 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Archeology of the Fur Trade with Sarah Elizabeth Pender Smith, MS, MKIN, RPA
Part lecture, part hands-on, Sarah has done extensive archeological work on the Fur Trade in Wisconsin and has a wealth of knowledge and artifacts to share!
Saturday, April 23 Noon-5
An afternoon with a French Seamstress with Mary Boyle
This is the female version of A Tailoring We Will Go. While the Tailor's Guild made both men's and women's clothing, the Maîtresses Couturières was the Seamstress's Guild (one of the only women's guilds in existence) in Paris, who made clothes for women and children. A member of La Compagnie Franche de la Marine du Fort la Jonquiere, Mary will give an overview of 18th Century Women's Fashion and then participants will begin construction on a chemise, the base layer of an 18th Century woman's attire. Participants will need to bring 3 yards of material, along with thread, sewing needle and pins. Experienced seamstresses should bring white linen; if this is your first sewing project, or you are very new to sewing, inexpensive muslin is best. Wash and dry material before the workshop.
The Crossroads Rendezvous Workshop Series is made possible by a grant from the Saukville Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee. We thank them for their support!
A Tailoring We Will Go with Jay Oestreich
A self-taught tailor, member of Goffe's Co., and Admin for The Endeavor, a reenactor's resource group on Facebook, Jay and Brent Sitz (The Progressive Tailor)will discuss the fit and construction of 18th Century Men's breeches and then assist you with your projects. Need help fitting a vest or understanding your pattern for breeches? Want to make a shirt but have no idea how to start? This is the class for you! Bring your material, thread, notions and pattern, if applicable (focus on hand sewing). Jay will return for another workshop to help you finish what you started later in the series.
Saturday and Sunday, February 26
Echoes of the Past Trade Fair
Sunnyview Exposition Center - Oshkosh, WI
Are you interested in Living History? The Trade Fair is an excellent place to get started. Meet local groups and find everything you need to get started!
Saturday, March 5 Noon-5
A Tailoring We will Go, Part II, with Jay Oestreich
Jay and Brent return to discuss the fit and construction of 18th Century men's coats/jackets and, if there is demand, will do a reprise of their presentation on breeches. This workshop is for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of 18th Century men's clothing, ages 16 and up. You do not need to have taken Jay's first workshop to attend this one. If you have an article of clothing or pattern you are working on, feel free to bring it with to get advice, feedback, or just have some dedicated sewing time; however, you do not need to bring a project to attend this class. Despite "tailor" in the title, seamstresses are welcome:)
Saturday, March 12 Noon-5
Basket Weaving with Karen Hartman
Author of the Dream Catcher books and known as the "Dream Catcher Lady," Karen shares traditional Native American stories and crafts at fairs and reenactments throughout the country. Participants will learn basic weaving and twining techniques to make a small, wall hanging scrap basket. There is a $15 supply fee for this class, payable on the day of the class.
Saturday, March 19 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Archeology of the Fur Trade with Sarah Elizabeth Pender Smith, MS, MKIN, RPA
Part lecture, part hands-on, Sarah has done extensive archeological work on the Fur Trade in Wisconsin and has a wealth of knowledge and artifacts to share!
Saturday, April 23 Noon-5
An afternoon with a French Seamstress with Mary Boyle
This is the female version of A Tailoring We Will Go. While the Tailor's Guild made both men's and women's clothing, the Maîtresses Couturières was the Seamstress's Guild (one of the only women's guilds in existence) in Paris, who made clothes for women and children. A member of La Compagnie Franche de la Marine du Fort la Jonquiere, Mary will give an overview of 18th Century Women's Fashion and then participants will begin construction on a chemise, the base layer of an 18th Century woman's attire. Participants will need to bring 3 yards of material, along with thread, sewing needle and pins. Experienced seamstresses should bring white linen; if this is your first sewing project, or you are very new to sewing, inexpensive muslin is best. Wash and dry material before the workshop.
The Crossroads Rendezvous Workshop Series is made possible by a grant from the Saukville Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee. We thank them for their support!