I am suffering from severe CADD (Costume A.D.D.) lately. My ’30s plaid Christmas dress sits on the mannequin, nearly complete, but with the arrival of a giant roll of green silk, new…
-
-
V331: Steampunkery at the Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade
This past Saturday our local Steampunk club, “High Desert Steam,” marched in the Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade. There was a great turnout, complete with horses, dogs, armed children, the Urban Assault Vehicle,…
-
V330: Shoes to Get Excited About in 2013
Two thousand and twelve is drawing to a close, but that brings excitement for the coming year! I have already been designing and planning my little heart out, and researching the bazoozles…
-
V329: Inspiring 1930s Frocks
I admit, I haven’t been very good about my “Vintage365” blog-a-day. I’ve been fallin’ down on the job (but only because I’m so dang busy with everything else!). Anywho, I’m working on…
-
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,…
-
V327: “Tavistock” Button Boots – Pre-Order Now Open
Go order yours at www.American-Duchess.com
-
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…
-
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…
-
V324: December Call for Sponsors
Hello Ladies and Gents! Are you an up-and-coming small business that might benefit from advertising here on American Duchess? How about giving a nicely-placed banner ad a try here on the sidebar,…
-
V323: American Duchess Historical Holiday Gift Guide
Happy Holidays to all of you and yours! ‘Tis the season for jolly times, being thankful, and giving lovely gifts to your dear ones. Stumped on what to give to your historical…
-
V322: Another Day at Dickens Christmas Fair, San Francisco
I’m back from S.F. now, but here are some photos from our second day at Dickens… Maggie’s puffy puff-butt in the morning. I found this endlessly amusing. Maggie’s costume was divine –…
-
V321: An Excursion to The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Hi all! I’m down in San Francisco land with a whole wad of my favorite people, not least among them The Laced Angel, and Serendipitous Stitchery, the latter of which came all…
-
V320: American Duchess “Let It Snow” Holiday Sale!
My Dears, it’s time! Jump right in to your holiday shopping (and send your hubbies and boyfriends this-a-way) – I’ve put just about everything in the shop on sale! Enjoy 10% off…
-
V319: Shop Small This Saturday at American-Duchess.com
Hey American Express ladies – this Saturday is “Small Business Saturday,” sponsored by American Express, and we here at American Duchess Company are about as small as it gets, with just me…
-
V318: Behind The Scenes at Our Winter Wonderland Photo Shoot
The original concept sketch for the Winter Wonderland set I’ve been *SO FLIPPIN’ BUSY* trying to get everything done for the photo shoot yesterday. I finished the blue riding habit, with its…
-
V317: 1740s Riding Habit – Nearly There!
Yesterday I made the petticoat and set the sleeves on the riding habit jacket. The petticoat is worn over panniers. I don’t have very big ones, but I wanted to try the…
-
V316: Riding Habit Trim Inspirations
While I scramble around making the my version of the Snowshill riding habit somewhat wearable, here are some trimming inspirations… 1750-59 VandA – gorgeous, but not the kind of trim I have.…
-
V315: 1740s Riding Habit Progress…Again
I’m motoring along on this project as fast as I can. I have little time to spare and too much to do to complete it in time for this coming Monday’s holiday…
-
V314: One Week Left for 23Skidoo Pre-Order
Alright, Ladies, this is the *last week* to get your orders for 23Skidoo 1920s Spectator T-Strap Shoes in, and get that sweet discounted price. The order with the factory has gone in…
-
V313: 1740s Riding Habit Set-Backs
Ever have one of those days where every bit of sewing you do has to be undone? As it turns out, my wrapped and couched buttonholes *looked* nice, but didn’t hold up…