Hi Lovelies! I have some big news – we are now on Patreon! Patreon is a way to support creators with small monthly contributions that help us make more and better content.…
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My 1830s Bonnet
In the quest to be ever huger in our 1830s attire, the Gigot Girl Gang™ chose a variety of headgear to top off each of our ensembles. Maggie used bonnet shapes from…
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Holiday Shipping Dates
Just a quick “PSA” post – these are the last days to place USA orders for delivery by December 25th: www.AmericanDuchess.com
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My Ghosts of Dickens Fairs Past
This year will be my first visit to Dickens Fair in San Francisco in many years, and I’m *excited.* I’ve been to Dickens many times, and even worked it as a member…
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1833 Plaid Dress – Sleeves!
Museum of FIT – go big or go home! The best part about early 1830s gowns, in my opinion, is the sleeves, of course! Big, huge, mega gigot sleeves are the primary…
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1833 Plaid Dickens Dress – Progress!
Abby and I think these gowns look rather like 1950s evening gowns before the sleeves go on and ruin everything! More 1830s goodness! All the other Gigot Girl Gang members were working…
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An 1833-ish Dickens Fair Gown!
#goals I have had an inexplicable love affair with the early 1830s for many years now, but it’s never been satiated….until NOW! This year, our Gigot Girl Gang™ is headed to Dickens…
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The American Duchess Historical Holiday Gift Guide 2018
Happy Holidays! Welcome to our big mega huge list of holiday gifts for the historical costumers in your life (or yourself!). This year we have lots and lots of goodies to recommend…
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Historical Reproduction Winter Boots For You
It’s that time of year when the weather goes cold and you’re wanting a nice pair of boots to slog around in…historically, of course. Ladies of the past had a broad assortment…
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American Duchess Weekend SALE!
It’s that wonderful time of year when things go on sale, like, everywhere. EVERYWHERE! This year we have these goodies for you…. Dunmore 18th Century Shoes in Black Wool with Fleur Buckles…
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Vlog: The 1830s Bustle!
Howdy! We’re deep, deep down the #1830s rabbit hole, working diligently on our gowns with much haste in preparation for our trip to Dickens Fair in San Francisco on December 15th. Abby…
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Book Review: The Workwoman’s Guide by A Lady, 1838
Hey there you lovely costuming creatures, you! As many of you know, Lauren and I are currently up to our eyeballs in all things 1830s. Yep, we’re both busy ladies trying to…
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Podcast Episode 24: Abby & Lauren’s Top 5 Costuming Books
Hey Everyone! We’re back with a new quick little episode of the podcast, where Lauren and I chat about our top 5 costuming books. While it’s difficult to pick favorites, we did…
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1790 Redingote Inspiration and Percolation
Redingote, c. 1790, LACMA M2009.120 Friends, I haven’t wanted to sew for awhile. Burn-out is a real thing, especially failing miserably on the last two 18th century gowns I tried to make…
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Podcast Episode 23: Cheyney McKnight on African Hair and Headwraps
Hi Everyone! Abby here with another episode of Fashion History with American Duchess. This episode has been long overdue, and we’re so incredibly excited to share it with you! Last spring, we…
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Spring2019 – A New Pattern for Simplicity – 1790s Gown and Open Robe!
Ann Frankland Lewis – 1794. LACMA I’m excited to officially announce that we’ve developed another new historical dress pattern for Simplicity! Since first partnering with Simplicity several years ago I’ve learned so…
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Episode 22: Part 2 with Jenny Tiramani from the School of Historical Dress
Hi Again! Abby here, fulfilling my promise from last week that we were going to release the second part of our conversation with the incredible Jenny Tiramani. This week’s episode is just…
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The “En Fourreau” Myth
NOPE In our modern world there is much of the past that has been obscured. Looking through the lens of time, especially when you have to peer through the film of the…
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Podcast Episode 21: Jenny Tiramani & Patterns of Fashion 5 Book Release, Part 1
Hi Everyone! Hooray! A new podcast episode! This week’s episode has Lauren and I sitting down with the incredible Jenny Tiramani from the School of Historical Dress, to discuss their newest publication Patterns…
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Simplicity Patterns Now Available on AmericanDuchess.com
Hi! This is just a quick announcement to let you know that we now have all of our American Duchess Simplicity costume patterns available at AmericanDuchess.com, woo! You’ll find Simplicity 8161 and…