Before Costume College, I was making plans for a new 1790s gown in purple taffeta, called the “Robe Royaliste.” I decided on a chemise style like the lovely green/gold gown in The…
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V223: 17th Century Infanta Inspiration
Blargh, I hate being sick. I don’t want to sew or do much of anything, really, but it’s just so easy to look at pretty pictures….so I’ll do some of that. Next…
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V222: “Miss Nevada” 1890s Vaudeville Secret Gala Costume
I’m terrible at keeping secrets, but managed to not make a peep about my “super-secret Costume College Gala costume” for the greater part of a year. All the Northern Nevada ladies who…
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V220: The Parisian Gown – Finished!
Despite all the trouble this gown gave me, I’m so happy with how it turned out! I certainly learned many a lesson about fabric choice, sleeve construction, and general patterning. I’m ready…
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V219: The Overland Passage
Ugh! I haven’t blogged today on account of traveling back from Costume College, Los Angeles to Reno, a good nine or more hours. It felt kindof like this… We’re back now, though,…
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V218: Costume College 2012: Time Traveler’s Gala
The Gala at Costume College is overwhelmingly awesome. Everybody turns out with the most dazzling, stunning, out-of-this-world costumery you can imagine. Here are a few snaps I took tonight… Yay Northern Nevada!…
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217: Costume College Day 1: Ice Cream Social, Yay!
Costume College is *awesome* ! So far I’ve met tons of wonderful people, learned all about proper sleeve drafting, altering, and fitting, and made some indestructible 1770s rolls to clip into future…
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V216: Small Biz Betties: Making Public Appearances
Hello again! Today I’m in Southern California, attending “Costume College,” an annual event chock full of classes on all kinds of costuming stuff, along with shopping, and a sweet costume tea, ice…
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V215: Interview with Alicia of “Little Bits Clothing Company”
Hi All! Today I’ve got an interview with Alicia of “Little Bits Clothing Company,” a great little business creating reproduction historical gowns of the 18th and 19th centuries, along with a whole…
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V214: 18th Century Silk Clocked Stockings Now on Pre-Order
Okay, ladies (and gents too), it’s finally time. The new clocked stockings I’ve been working on are finally available to order. Purchase yours at www.american-duchess.com . White silk stockings with black clocks,…
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V213: Extant vs. Extent – What’s the Difference?
“I’m an extant gown with a skirt of great extent” In the historical costuming world, we talk and write a lot about original garments. It’s important to get the right terminology when…
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V212: Georgian Hair Hopping
Chris and I did a photo shoot the other night, for the clocked stockings pre-sale coming up in a couple days. I wore my new “Parisian Gown,” and wanted to do a…
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V211: I Like Big Bustles and I Cannot Lie
It is rather like an insect carapace, isn’t it. Last Friday night, I took a class with the industrious Mary Crawley, leader of the local Steampunk club, High Desert Steam, to learn…
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V210: Sugarpine Living History Day 2012, and 1933 Vintage Vogue Dress
As promised, here are pics from today’s lovely event at the Ehrman Mansion, Sugarpine State Park, Lake Tahoe. Our Great Basin Costume Society group – Oscar, Debbie, Baby Autumn, Sarah, Maridy, Carolyn,…
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V209: 1933 Vintage Vogue 2671 Throwtogether
In the midst of all the mad sewing for Costume College (next week!), I thought I’d put together a simple “recharge” dress for a 1930s picnic tomorrow. So then why did I…
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V208: 1770s Chapeau de Paris Sketches
I’m winding down the Parisian Gown (at least the gown part of it), and realize I need an awesome hat to go with it. No ordinary bergere will do – I want…
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V207: August Call For Sponsors
Hi Lovelies! Do you have a business you think would benefit from advertising here on American Duchess? How about trying out a banner for the month of August (or 30 days from…
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V206: Please Vote – What Is The Circumference of Your Calf?
Why am I asking this? Well, I’d like to learn the average calf size of you lovely ladies interested in purchasing Tavistock button boots, and other future boot styles. I want to…
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V205: Nearing Completion for the Parisian Gown
I’ve been working holes into my fingers over the past week, trying to complete shiny new costumes for Costume College, the first weekend in August. I have her on my non-historical dress…
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V204: Repro Vintage Butterick Pattern Haul
Okay, so maybe Butterick patterns were on sale for 99 cents at JoAnn’s the other day, and…and maybe I bought a whole bunch of Vintage Butterick reproduction patterns. I have a weakness…for…
