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  • Fabrics for the 18th Century and Beyond

    June 14, 2021

    One of the top questions I get from budding 18th century costumers is “what fabric should I use?” Luckily, there is ample choice for the Georgian era, though not as much a…

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  • 1780s Embroidered Italian Gown – Skirts and Sleeves

    May 21, 2021

    In the first post on this project, I constructed the bodice front and back. Now it’s time for skirts – the fun part – and sleeves – the evil part. Skirts first.…

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  • A 1780s Embroidered Italian Gown – Finally

    May 15, 2021

    Most of my 2020 was spent in working on – and finishing! – UFOs or “unfinished objects.” I completed my 1760s Sunset Silk Robe a la Francaise, an 1890s linen jacket, a…

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  • The February 2021 Collection is Here – {Pre-Order Open!}

    February 26, 2021

    Time for the first collection of 2021! This year, the big plan is to do a pre-order every single month through August (yowza!). Our February collection got off to a bit of…

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  • Motivation to Sew in the Time of Coronavirus

    October 13, 2020

    A 1930s UFO – it’s not made well, but it’s made! The year thus far has been a rollercoaster (understatement), and my sewing adventures have been rather manic-depressive – great big swings…

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  • Getting Dressed in 18th Century – 1780s – 1790 {Video}

    May 5, 2020

    Let’s get dressed! Hi Lovelies! I made a short video showing the steps and pieces of getting dressed in a 1780s Italian gown or Robe a l’Anglaise. I know for new costumers…

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  • What Is a “Hedgehog” Hairstyle *Really*?

    April 29, 2020

    A lady sporting the hedgehog hairstyle – 1775-78. Gallerie des Modes, MFA.org 44.1344 It is a truth universally acknowledged that all 18th century historic costumers, when we first start, quickly come into…

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  • Cake or Death – Marie Antoinette

    April 23, 2020

    I have a new video for you today, the first in a series! I’m quite proud of this, even though it’s…weird, and possibly off-color. I hope you enjoy it!

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  • 18th Century Printed Cotton Do’s & Don’t’s

    December 23, 2019

    A beautiful printed cotton gown, 1785-95. The Met. A very condensed version of this essay, without pictures, appears in The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking. Because there is *so much…

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  • The Countess of Melbury’s Ball c. 1789 – Inspo!

    December 6, 2019

    The Met, 1780s Italian gown. Inspiration for my own gown for this event. Next March, 2020, I am attending the Countess of Melbury’s Ball in Walnut Grove, California. The event is set…

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  • The Isabella Mactavish Fraser Pattern & Documentary!

    November 22, 2019

    Ladies and Gentlemen, we are very proud to release to you today the Isabella Mactavish Fraser gown pattern and construction PDF along with our short documentary about this famous tartan gown and…

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  • The Isabella Mactavish Fraser Project – Day 2

    September 10, 2019

    Georgia Gough wearing the finished Isabella Mactavish Fraser wedding gown and arisaid – Edinburgh, Scotland I’m back with the second day reporting from the Isabella Mactavish Fraser wedding-gown-in-a-weekend project, a wonderful demonstration…

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  • The Isabella Mactavish Fraser Project – Prep and Day 1

    September 3, 2019

    Braining hard on the Isabella Mactavish Fraser wedding gown – Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2019 Abby and I are back from our whirlwind trip to Scotland, and I’ve had a nice little run…

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  • 18th Century Hairstyles for Long Hair

    July 12, 2019

    Jenny’s long hair was plenty to go over the ski slope hair cushion. Nearly as often as we receive questions about doing 18th century hairstyles for short hair, we see the question…

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  • 18th Century Hairstyles for Short Hair

    July 1, 2019

    Nicole’s chin-length bob was perfect, if not even a little too long, for the early 1780s crape’d hairstyle once supplemented with a few hair pieces at the back… One of the most…

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  • #ADBeauty – 18th Century Hats, Caps, Bonnets, and Accessories

    June 24, 2019

    Jasmine wearing her Therese hood, a very simple early 1780s accessory It is my belief that one can never have too many 18th century accessories. Hats and caps are essential to getting…

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  • 1780 – 1781 Glasgow Polonaise Sacque Jacket Progress

    June 20, 2019

    1780 – 1781 Polonaise sacque jacket almost done! I love the back, even if it has double the fabric in it that it really needs. Alllmmmooosssttt doooonnnneeeee! This project has been one…

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  • Introducing: The Isabella MacTavish Fraser Wedding Gown Project

    May 24, 2019

    The famous Isabella MacTavish Fraser wedding gown c. 1785. Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon. Reproduced with permission of Inverness Museum & Art Gallery Big news! We’ve been hinting at it for awhile now, but…

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  • Ikea Costuming 101 – Making Historical Gowns with Duvet Covers, Curtains, and Sheets

    May 13, 2019

    The Italian Gown from “The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking” was made with one LJUSÖGA Queen size duvet cover from Ikea. Accurate printed cottons are very difficult to find. Usually…

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  • 1780-81 Glasgow Polo-Sacque Fiddling

    May 7, 2019

    Progress! This past weekend I made a lot of good progress on my version of the 1780 – 1781 Polonaise-Sacque Jacket. I am always so very chuffed by how quickly sacque-back things…

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