The wood counter, old bonnets, rows of lace and the traditional, general store layout evoke a simpler time. Fabric lines one wall, with the dates that certain patterns were in use meticulously dividing each section.
And standing at the end of the fabric line is Kimberly Lynch, decked out in full 19th century regalia and looking like she stepped out of a Civil War photograph.
Lynch is the curator the
Dressmaker’s Shop, a small store that specializes in fabrics and materials used to make historic clothing from the years between 1750 and 1915. It’s nestled among a block of historic, brick and mortar storefronts at 130 S. Main in Leslie, about two miles off the main highway of US-127.
“We try to make our materials and garments as true to life as possible, so we can’t really call them ‘reproductions,’” Lynch explains. “We call them ‘museum quality,’ because they are made with the same materials in the same style as they did back during the time period.”
For the RevolutionariesAll of Lynch’s fabrics and clothing are 100 percent authentic to the time period they represent—meaning cotton, linen, wool, and silk. (Occasionally, on request, she will use rayon in the eveningwear to give it the shine of silk without the price.)
Compared to the rows and rows of cotton/poly blends that make up the bulk of chain fabric stores, Lynchy’s selection is small. But these fabrics are unique and include prints lifted from actual quilts and garments of the time period, most destined for a particular fan base.
“The majority of my clients are Civil or Revolutionary War re-enactors, or workers at open-air museums, like
Cross Roads Village or the
Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson,” Lynch says. “Historical accuracy is very important in order to properly represent the era.”
That historical accuracy often involves multiple petticoats or heavy jackets, even in the summer, when reenactment events and museum attendance peak.
“Natural fabrics breathe easier and when you’re in period costume outside in 90 degree heat it is very important,” Lynch explains. “Fabrics bought from chain stores will often have fillers like polyester that trap heat.”
More Than LooksWith a BFA in textiles, Lynch is a lifelong seamstress and became interested in period clothing after being a spectator at a Civil War re-enactment with her children.
“Soon it became a great hobby to do with the kids, and we made all our outfits,” says Lynch. “I started selling some of my things at the events and realized it would be easier to open a shop than to lug all of my things to these tents all the time.
Lynch and her husband Jim are now Civil War re-enactors themselves, so she doesn’t just make the clothing—she also participates and helps teach others about the craft of making period clothing.
“We host workshops for bonnet-making, corset-making, hair pieces and styling,” Lynch says. “Most everyone who is a re-enactor learns from other re-enactors about how things were done. By taking a workshop, people get together and have a bunch of fun. They learn something and get a finished piece without paying for the labor.”
Lynch gets the majority of her designs from monthly magazines that women in the 1800s would bind together in books for safekeeping. “It’s like having a book of
Good Housekeeping from the 19th century,” Lynch explains. “They provide the designs and patterns that were used in clothing. I just have to figure out how to create them.”
Lynch, who lives in
Mason, chose Leslie as the home of her shop because of its inviting neighbors and historical interest.
“People don’t know it, but Leslie was once the largest town in the area, and thrived until the 1960’s when the expressway was built. Since then, people tend to bypass it on their way to and from Lansing,” she says.
“When I was looking around, the other store owners were very excited to start building something new here, and I wanted to help make Leslie a place where people stop again.”
Knitting a NetworkAs well as stopping by her shop, many customers contact Lynch through her Web site, which has brought her customers from as far away as Europe.
“I had a woman in England send me a duct tape mold of herself and I created an evening dress from the mold.” Lynch says, “Through the Web site, I’ve met people from literally all over the country. It keeps me busy!”
Lynch has made almost everything found in a typical turn of the (19th) century wardrobe, but she will ask for help with clients who want something special.
“There is a whole network of people who specialize in different aspects of reenactment dress, so I will refer people to other folks in the area who I know can help them better,” Lynch explains.
“For instance, there was a woman who wanted an outfit for a General Custer celebration in Monroe. I made the dress, another woman did her bonnet, and still another did her underpinnings and garments. After all was said and done, she had five people working on her outfit! We all know each other, and what the others can do. It’s like a family.”
Steve Hainstock, president of the
Leslie Area Historical Society, entered the world of reenactments through a visit to the Dressmaker’s Shop.
“I was a docent at the Ella Sharp Museum and had a shirt made for me at the shop,” Hainstock says. “When I met Kim and her husband, I was becoming more interested in my family history and discovered I had six relatives who fought in the Civil War and three who died in battle.”
Hainstock is now part of the
7th Michigan Infantry Co. B, a group of re-enactors named after the historic union regiment. He and his family have since enjoyed the events, and frequently commission Lynch to outfit the whole family.
“I’d be at the balls with my wife, and I’d hear women say, ‘Oh! That’s a Kim Lynch dress!’” Hainstock says. “You can really tell the quality of her work, especially if you’ve been doing this a while.”
Lynch says it’s love of the art form that keeps her in the game, because most of her earnings go back into the store. “It is a very time consuming hobby that I really hope I can earn some money at some day,” she says.
“But for now, I enjoy the people and things I get to do. I mean, who wouldn’t want to play dress up every day?”
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Allison Gruner is a recent Michigan State University grad and Capital Gains contributor.
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of Trumpie Photography.
Photos:
Kimberly Lynch and her Dressmaker Shop in Leslie
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie