Hooray for The Holidays! The Dreamstress posted about her lovely Christmas Bait (closely related to Pogey Bait), so I thought I’d post about mine as well. Amongst the cuddly flannel PJs, fluffy…
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Early Christmas Gifts, Ubersexlich, All Manner of Update…
It’s been a crazy mid-month, and here’s hoping things calm down. Lots of happenings and announcements and other zaniness ahead… First Up – Pogey Bait! Nicole, herself a fantastic seamstress and wonderful…
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Apocalyptic Costuming and Life
Sometimes things just don’t work out. Sometimes NOTHING works out. This makes me very grumpy. Dickens Day Dress? No. New Car? No. Sick dog? Yes. Men’s Breeches Toile for James’ 18th c.…
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The Great 1840s Combustion…
…on Hold. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very sorry to announce that the 1840s day dress for this year’s Dickens Christmas Fair…is on hold until next year. Why, you whimper? On account…
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Christmastime!
The Lady of Portland House made me smile with this little Q&A (I refuse to call it a meme, I don’t even know what that is really!), so I’ve done it for…
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The Great 1840s Madness, and Some 18th c. Toile-ing
It feels fantastic to be sewing again, and to be sewing on a tight deadline. I believe in the power of tight deadlines to keep us excited about a project, make us…
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The Great 1840s Digression
Today I went to the fabric store for one thing and one thing only: muslin, primarily for the purpose of mocking up James’ 18th c. men’s suit (more on this later). What…
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The Importance of Sewing Space
I’ve been so bad at updating, and this is because my brain has been a frazzled mess of goo due to the lack of organization and functionality of my sewing space. That…
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It’s That Time of Year: American Duchess T-Shirts
Who wants candy? American Duchess Boutique on Etsy Retail shop is up and running, taking international orders as well as domestic, yay!
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James’ :Ubersexlich 18th c. Men’s Suit: Sketches
The time has come to begin sketching and designing for James’ 18th c. suit. The nice thing about men’s fashion in the 18th c. is that while it was flamboyant, yes, the…
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James’ Fantastic 18th Century Suit – Starting Line
Red wool suit with gold trimming, Kyoto Costume Institute, 1740s It’s about time I posted something, yeah? I have a good excuse: this little Duchie has finally found herself a new home,…
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Birthday A La Francaise
Last weekend I celebrated my birthday by skipping down to Alameda for an evening of dancing with my favorite people. When I returned on Sunday, my parents and I celebrated again, with…
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70 Thank Yous to 70 Followers
Today I’m happy to celebrate 70 followers to this blog! Thank you to all my readers, and welcome to all the new readers! 2010 is fast approaching and I hope to fill…
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Time Travel: Le Bal Des Vampyres, 1840s
I promise you I have some delectable projects to begin updating about soon, including a fantastic 18th c. men’s ensemble ripe with embroidery and velvet and goodies. However, I also need to…
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American Duchess, Now Open For Business
American Duchess is now accepting costuming commissions, yay! I am not solely an 18th century seamster – I also work in Elizabethan, Baroque, Regency, Victorian, Edwardian, and retro fashions from the 1920s-60s.…
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Ladies and Gentlemen, The 1795 Barn Owl Robe
The moment at least a handful of you have been waiting for! Last weekend I wore The Owl to Gaskells. I had been planning, crafting, stitching, and wrangling my way toward this…
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Costume Queen Gives “Kreativ Blogger” Nod to American Duchess
This portrait by Allan Ramsay has absolutely nothing to do with the article you’re about to read. Tonight I have reason to celebrate! American Duchess has received the “Kreativ Blogger” award from…
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Taking Stock: Project Updates and Plans
American Duchess has undergone a change in location: I have moved from California to Nevada, and all of my things (and I mean ALL) are currently stacked haphazardly in a storage shed,…
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A Pogey Weekend
Two words best describe my adventures last Sunday: “Pogey” and “Bait.” If you are unfamiliar with Pogey Bait, please take a stroll over to the Dreamstress, and read about it. There are…
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Congratulations Avi, Cutest Crafting Pet!
Congratulations to Avi, Taiwan Dog Extraordinaire, who won The Dreamstress’ “Cutest Crafting Pet Competition!” Avi won a box full of all kinds of goodies – a bag of pineapple lumps (have since…