Shoes from J. Ferry, 1885-1890. The Met, 2009.300.1579a,b Ladies, for the first time *ever* we are able to offer a range of colors in one of our new styles for next Spring.…
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1820s Green Dress Construction Details – Bodice
Happy Friday! Abby here again for more yummy 1820s Green Dress construction info & detail shots! If you missed previous posts you can check out the general observation & sleeve details, dating,…
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1830s Corset Inspiration & Research
Hello Lovelies – So I’m plugging away on my 1830s corset, and all seems to be going to plan…which is good seeing as how when I picked up my needle and thread…
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Dipping My Toe Into Uncharted Corsetry
Hello Lovelies! Abby here — Ok – so my title is not entirely true. I’ve made an 1800s corset before…hell I’ve even taught a workshop on how to pattern and make your…
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How to Use a Victorian Button Hook – Video!
Those of you who costume for mid-Victorian through Great War will be familiar with side-buttoning boots. They’re iconic and beautiful, but can be a little tricky to get closed if you don’t…
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My New Victorian Corset by Anachronism in Action
Over my years of historical costuming, I’ve learned enough about corsetry to know I know nothing. This is engineering to a T, with bust-to-waist ratios, shaping, materials knowledge and use, construction techniques,…
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“Bronte” Victorian Slippers & “Highbury” Regency Slippers – Pre-Order Open!
I’m a little late to the game here on the blog, but better late than never! If you follow us on Facebook or Twitter, you’ll already know the new early 19th century…
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Bonhams
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Early Victorian Slippers (to Get Excited About)
Women’s slippers, c. 1850 – LACMA Today’s post is all about slippers worn c. 1820s – 1850s (so a little pre-Victorian). Surprisingly ladies shoes remained fairly unchanged during this time. Shoes were…
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Hard Lessons in Victorian Corset Making – My “Duh” Moments…
Left side – boning, strength additions, and padding. I still have wrinkling, but it’s better than it was.Right side – no boning, no strength layers, no padding. I can make a mean…
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My First 1830s Dress – Complete!
I managed to finish something! It feels so good, considering the *pile* of started, half-finished, nearly-finished, and will-never-be-finished costume bits & bobs I have cluttering up my desk and all over my…
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Options for 1830s Headgear
This coming weekend is the first time I’ll take the red 1830s dress out for a spin (assuming I :::cough::: finish it :::cough:::), and while I had grand plans to create a…
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Adventures in the 1830s – For Real This Time
The Met, 1835 I’ve been wanting to make an 1830s dress for a long time now, but haven’t actually, y’know, done it. Until now. I can’t really account for how the sewing…
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My Annual Sewing Rut
Once again, I have absolutely no motivation to make a single stitch of anything lately. I’ve learned that this is quite normal, and that if I force the issue I’ll regret it.…
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
…here’s a pink dress… LACMA, 1830 It’s a dress I’m madly in love with. It’s the kind of painful sort of love that makes me want to attempt to make this, but…
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Review: “Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern Cutting From Tudor to Victorian Times”
Title: Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern cutting from Tudor to Victorian times by Elizabeth Friendship (c) Batsford 2013 ISBN: 0896762858 $21.00 – $26.00 Every once in awhile there comes a book that changes…
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Extant Victorian Side-Lacing Gaiters
Darlings, I realize I’ve been going on and on about “Gettysburg” boots without showing you the real deal! So here are lots of examples of pretty gaiters from the 1830s to the…
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Pre-Order: “Gettysburg” Victorian Side-Lace Boots
Today I’m happy to open the pre-order for “Gettysburg” Victorian Side-Lace Boots. Pre-Order January 10 – 30, 2014 SALE $135 ($155) www.AmericanDuchess.com Gettysburg boots are typical of footwear found between 1830 and…
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Book Review: “Embellishments: Constructing Victorian Detail” by Astrida Schaeffer
Embellishments: Constructing Victorian Detail Astrida Schaeffer (c) 2013 by Astrida Schaeffer ISBN 978-1-938394-04-1 Many of us have been anticipating Astrida’s book “Embellishments” for quite some time. I was happy to receive it…
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“Real” Late Victorian Steampunk Fashions for Women
The Met, 1897-99 (via) – an excellent start to a fabulous Steampunk ensemble. My favorites are the original gowns that unknowingly have that Steampunk flavor. I haven’t been working on my wedding…