Last week I put together a “quick and dirty” black satin bustle skirt to wear with my Steampunk outfits, but as all of you know, having a large quantity of black satin…
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1790s Wrap-Front Gown – More Progress
The front crossing. The ties will meet with as-yet-existent ties on the sides. I love the adjustability of the drawstring, too…one can go from modest lady to regency floozy in seconds! I…
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Historical Costuming vs. Historical Re-Enactment: What’s the Difference?
A re-enactor would never be caught dead in modern sunglasses and inaccurate mary jane shoes I’ll be honest with you guys. This morning I received a forwarded e-mail attacking me and my…
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1880s Bustle Skirt – It’s Black, It’s Shiny, It’s Quick and Dirty
Playing dress up with a pseudo Victorian shirt and a velvet waist cincher A very short time ago I found myself in a predicament, one that involved needing a black skirt to…
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New Vintage Goodness in The Boutique
Last weekend’s trip to Sacramento Towne brought back quite a few very lovely vintage items for the American Duchess Boutique on Etsy. Among them were two great hats, vintage kid and doeskin…
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18th Century Shoes – The Second to Last Step
The shoe as it arrived, white in color. I added the rhinestone tension buckle. For those of you who have been following the production of the upcoming 18th c. shoes, here’s an…
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How To Make an 18th Century Wig from an Affordable “Costume” Wig
Earlier this week I espied on HalloweenCostumes.com a “Marie Antoinette” wig that looked surprisingly good. My criteria for judging this goodness were the overall shape, color of the hair (it wasn’t…
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A Sudden Wrap-Front Gown of the 1790s
I say “sudden” because one afternoon I had no such thing, and by that evening I did, or at least half of one. But there’s been much planning and some blogging about…
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“Why Don’t I Look Right?” : Getting The Look Spot-On with Historical Costumes
I often get questions, or read comment threads, about why a historical ensemble doesn’t look just right, and it’s got me thinking about the things to consider when putting together a costume…
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American Duchess 18th century Fabric Collection (1750-1800) on Spoonflower
A couple weeks ago I went on a fabric-designing binge, fueled by my desire for 18th century historic prints. I designed a small collection based on my favorite sprigged muslins, Indienne block…
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What’s Next in the World of Historical Costuming?
Downton Abbey, 2010 No doubt our hobby of historical costuming follows trends, and usually it is very influenced by what period films have or will be coming out. For awhile it was…
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Three New Old Hats for Vintage Fun and Hattitude
I’ve listed three “new” hats in the American Duchess Boutique on Etsy, for your consideration. These are three of my favorites, especially the grey fur felt one, with the recently liberated red…
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Costume Analytics: A White Wedding Gown from Tidens Toj Museum
This time on Costume Analytics we’re going to look at a very late 18th century gown from a lovely little online collection called Tidens Toj (translated to “Future Clothes.”). I want to…
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1780s Half-Boned Stays
Finished – they close edge-to-edge across my bust, but I also like them open like this – more thrust! See the difference in shape between these and Olympe’s? In my recent obsession…
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Costume Modeling with Ron, a Photo Shoot for Future Paintings
Last weekend I had the pleasure of pulling *almost* every costume I still have out of my closet and modeling them for an outstanding illustrator, Ron Spears, who wanted to take reference…
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American Duchess on the Today Show (Squee!)
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy This is pretty awesome! Too bad the coat is sold out, lol – hope Garmz decides to do another run!
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Olympe’s Stays – Complete! Finito! Done!
I finally finished Olympe’s lovely cream, goldenrod, and powder blue stays. Finally. FINALLY. It’s only taken me FOREVER. They are too small for the smallest setting on my dress form, so just…
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Late 18th Century Skirt Supports – The Unorthodox Edition
I have received some questions from you guys asking what I wear under my petticoats to give that super-poof shape. Well…it ain’t pretty. I don’t have picture-perfect panniers, or layers and layers…
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Pet en l’Air, now on Etsy
My pretty Pet, now listed in the boutique, and on I go to the next one! CLICK HERE for the listing.
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The Pet at the “Winter Whites” Exhibition, Nevada Historical Society
This past Friday a contingent of costumed ladies and one whole gentleman attended the Nevada Historical Society’s “Winter Whites” exhibition, a small display of gowns ranging from the 1890s through the 1960s,…
