Abby works on Cynthia’s (Redthreaded) hair while I photographs each step for “The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty,” coming July 2019. Hi! I’ve been a pretty terrible blogger again this…
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A Little History of “Vienna” Victorian Congress Boots
With the release of our shiny new “Vienna” Congress Boots this season, we thought we’d give a little history of this interesting, rather special kind of footwear. In the US the elastic-sided…
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Fall Pre-Order is OPEN!
American Duchess F/W2018 Pre-Order is open Aug 30 – Sept 20 at AmericanDuchess.com Ladies! It’s time for NEW historic shoes and boots! It’s “go big or go home” this Fall and we’ve…
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The Eternal Sunshine of the 18th Century Gown
This year at Costume College it really was all very, very yellow This year I kindof copped out at the Costume College Gala…but in a very Georgian way. I can’t really say…
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Where to Find Great War Era Sweaters
Original advertisement for 1919 sweaters – image from Wearing History (click through to visit her blog post on these sweaters) I don’t know about you, but when I see September on the…
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The Green Goblin – 1790s Dress – For Real This Time
Nicole, me, and Samantha in our Regency gowns at Costume College 2018 I promised finished-dress-worn photos of this little devil of a 1790s project, so here goes… I was quite pleased and…
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Jane Austen Festival, 2018
Maggie, Abby, and Nicole looking gorgeous at Jane Austen Festival, 2018 Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, marks the center point of the year. This event always takes place in mid-July at…
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The Green Goblin: A 1790s Round Gown
The remainder…. It’s a few days before Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, and I’ve stitched the last stitch of a new gown for this year’s event. And what a horror it…
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The 7 Stages of Piecing
There are very few historical projects I’ve made over the years that have gone totally smoothly. In fact, I can think of one. Every other gown I’ve made, and a heck of…
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Lost In New York: Redthreaded and American Duchess Hit the Big Apple
Adventures in New York City! Back in May I visited New York City…again…it’s becoming a weirdly regular occurrence and that’s no bad thing. I love NYC. I love it – magical things…
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PRE-ORDER: Kensingtons for ALL!
My lovelies, today we have a *major* announcement for you. Lovers of 18th century costume rejoice, for our most popular “Kensington” 18th century shoes are now available in a range of colors…and…
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How to Fit 18th Century Shoe Buckles
You’ve just got yourself a fine new pair of American Duchess 18th century shoes and you ordered some sparkly 18th century shoe buckles to go with them. Now what? Fitting shoe buckles…
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I’m Going “Durrells” For the Summer
Or forever. Fans Addicts of British television will be familiar with the wonderful series “The Durrells” (or “The Durrells in Corfu” if you’re here in the US where for some reason we…
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What Are Those Knobbles on 1790s Stays?
From “Corsets and Crinolines” by Norah Waugh – see those nobbles? What are those nobbles for? Read on… Have you ever wondered about those weird round knobbles and pads on late 1780s-1790s…
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Book Signing Soiree at Lacis Museum of Lace & Textiles
This past weekend we popped over The Hill down to Berkeley to visit on of our favorite shops *ever* – Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles. We were honored to be invited…
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The Creature Reborn – Retrimming the Pink Polonaise
Once upon a time I made a pink taffeta polonaise and trimmed it in organza, a very 1770s thing to do. At the time, I tried hand roll hemming and found it…
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Podcast Episode 17: Embracing Your Eccentric Historical Self with Zack Pinsent, Historic Tailor
Hey Everybody! Woohoo! We have a new episode of Fashion History with American Duchess to share with you today! Earlier this year, we managed to get our favorite English [historic] tailor, Zack…
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1765 Robe a la Bon Bon – Progress on the Gown
The sacque back is looking swell I’ve been sewing on-and-off on my new sacque for a few weeks now. I only have the weekends to fiddle these days, but luckily progress happens…
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1760s Robe a la Bon Bon – The Petticoat
Finished sacque petticoat over pocket hoops I’ve been steadily progressing on my new sacque, using the Simplicity 8578 Robe a la Francaise pattern we released December 2017. Since I already had pocket…
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Book Review: Torn by Rowenna Miller
Hi All! Abby here with something a bit different for you today. A few weeks ago we were contacted by a publisher regarding fellow blogger, historic costumer, and reenactor – Rowenna Miller’s…