I’ve had my sewing confidence rattled lately by the utter failure of my Robe a la Turque, so I’m sorely in need of some hand-holding through a project. Enter the Larkin &…
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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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Cycle 3 Exclusive – Vote for Colors!
We’ve gotten a bit bogged down with the various holidays worldwide, but we’re gearing up for production to start again, so it’s time for another Exclusive! The winner of the Cycle 3…
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The Call of the Vintage Sweaters
I want to knit. I never….*ever*… thought I would say that, but it’s true. This came about mostly from receiving my Wearing History “Smooth Sailing” trousers last December, and wanting to wear…
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American Duchess In The News!
I was interviewed by a local news network last week, and here’s the little video! It’s another behind-the-scenes look at our home business. I have a tendency to say stupid things on…
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Behind the Scenes of our 2014 Winter Photo Shoot
Last November Chris and I set up a photo shoot with first-time model Anna McIlwee, who was to be our Siberian Snow Princess in a beautiful winter landscape. Trouble was, no winter…
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Auditioning for the Donner Party
Just on a lark, a few of us Great Basin Costume ladies went to an audition for a Donner Party documentary filming this year. We were in costume and all got callbacks,…
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Late 1860s at the P.E.O Sisterhood’s Founder’s Day Luncheon
This past weekend I attended a lovely event where a few members of our local costuming group, Great Basin Costume Society, were invited to dress in 1860s costume to represent the founders…
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A Mid-to-Late 1860s Elliptical Hoop Skirt
One of the things that became obvious with my purple 1860s gown was that my underpinnings were no longer doing the job. Due to shortage of fabric, I cut my 1860s skirt…
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Costuming Books from Christmas 2014
I know we’re well into 2015 already, and Christmas is a distant, fading memory, but I forgot to share with you the books I received as gifts and also found in England:…
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“Renoir” Civil War Photo Shoot with Eras of Enchantment
Last October I had the opportunity to shoot with one of my regular, gorgeous models, Liza. You might remember her from our Gibson and Astoria shoots last year. This shoot was special,…
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Mademoiselle Guimard in Turkish…or Chinese…Costume
In my journey concerning The Turque thus far, I’ve learned that contemporary French terminology surrounding this type of gown, and other orientalist gowns, is fuzzy. Levites, Circassiennes, Polonaises, Turques…they kindof all smoosh…
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So a Robe a la Turque is What, Exactly…?
In my first post about the Robe a la Turque, I wound up with more questions than I answered, realizing I’d only just peeked into the rabbit hole that is 18th century…
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18th c. Red Petticoat Re-Fashion
Woot! The first project of 2015 is complete, and piece #1 of my Robe a la Turque is ready. Refashioned red petticoat with apron This petticoat was once a sad, sad tube.…
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Costume Analytics: What Is a Robe a la Turque Anyway?
It’s been a long time since I’ve done a Costume Analytics, but I’ve found myself entering “new territory” with a type of 18th century gown I *thought* I understood until I took…
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Our Trip to England in Photos
For Christmas and New Years Chris and I went to England, where Chris is from, to visit family and be tourists. Chris wanted to show me where he grew up, and all…
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My 2014 Year In Review
Gosh but a year is a long time. We often don’t even realize how much we’ve made in just 365 days, so it’s wonderful to look back. I started a lot of…
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1740s Scottish Tartan Outfit – Done!
1740s Scottish working woman’s tartan wool ensemble (Here’s another I’m posting about from *the future* – ah, how remiss in never finishing up these projects! But here goes…) There wasn’t much for…
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1919 Red Russian Winter Suit – Done!
The final 1919 suit worn together for a holiday event. I love how this came out! I learned a lot about tailoring (what little I did on the collar), piecing faux fur,…
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The 10-Day Tailoring Challenge – Completed in 8 Days!
Well, here it is, my 1935 jacket, on my body. I’m super proud of this project, even with all the mistakes I made. It’s wearable and looks pretty alright (please forgive my…
