…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…
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Victorian & Edwardian Stockings
Via – I’ll take any of these, please. Throughout history, people have worn some pretty spectacular hosiery. I’m tickled today when I see fantastic socks for sale (and I often buy them,…
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Victorian Boots & Accessories Survey – Please Help!
Hi Ladies! As always, I am working on improving our historical footwear and accessories, and am in need of some information about your shapely gams. The most difficult part of creating our…
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V346: How to Make a Victorian Bustle – Pattern and Instructions
Hi all! Okay, I’m going to attempt to explain how to make the lobster tail bustle I posted about last time. I want to stress that there is no right or wrong…
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V328: Real Victorian & Edwardian Button Boots
Button boots are so cool. They were the height of style from the 1850s all the way to about 1918. The earliest button boots date all the way back to about 1808,…
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V326: Elastic Goring in Victorian Footwear
Hello Lovelies! Today I’m going to tell you about the magical world of elastic, as used in Victorian footwear, one because it’s fascinating, but also because there have been some questions about…
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V325: Introducing “Tavistock” Authentic Victorian Button Boots
…and it’s about time! I am so excited to finally be able to release for pre-order our first boot, and indeed the only completely authentic Victorian button boot available! Tavistock Victorian Button…
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Time Travel: Mark Twain at Lake Tahoe, and Rendezvous in Carson City
So for all my complaining, I love this dress (now). It wore really quite well! The events of the day included a trip up to Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe, to scout a…
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Hey, Whatever Happened To…[1840s-50s-whatever dress]
It’s one of the many other things I haven’t been showing you. It’s not the Baroque gown, I know, but I had to get this one done for events tomorrow! Don’t hurt…
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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…