I’m just going to admit it: I flippin’ *loved* the Canal+ show “Versailles.” Loved it. Binged it. Binged it again. When it comes to historical costumes in television shows and movies, I…
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Plannings for a Regency Wardrobe
or the “I have no idea what I’m doing” wardrobe. Reader, I have become complacent. I am far too comfortable in the late 18th century, to the point where I get decidedly…
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July 2021 Pre-Order is Open
We sortof fell off the wagon with the whole “new collection every month, woo” intention, but after a two month break, it’s time for another pre-order! This month we have a mini-collection:…
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Starting A ‘Bridgerton’ Pelisse à la Lady Danbury
Have you caught Bridgerton fever? I have! I absolutely adored the glimmering gowns, character-defining color palettes, and strong aesthetic voice of costume designer Ellen Mirojnick. And so, naturally, I’ve been inspired to…
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Fabrics for the 18th Century and Beyond
One of the top questions I get from budding 18th century costumers is “what fabric should I use?” Luckily, there is ample choice for the Georgian era, though not as much a…
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Let’s Make Some Men’s Shoes
…for real. A couple years back we made a stab at developing a men’s historic footwear collection. We did a pump, a latchet shoe, and a boot all from around the 1780s-1810s.…
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Photoshoot – Into The Woods
Over the past year, so many of us have felt a yearning for a more natural, peaceful life. I know I certainly have, and have spent more than a little time in…
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1780s Embroidered Italian Gown – Skirts and Sleeves
In the first post on this project, I constructed the bodice front and back. Now it’s time for skirts – the fun part – and sleeves – the evil part. Skirts first.…
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A 1780s Embroidered Italian Gown – Finally
Most of my 2020 was spent in working on – and finishing! – UFOs or “unfinished objects.” I completed my 1760s Sunset Silk Robe a la Francaise, an 1890s linen jacket, a…
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April Vintage Pre-Order is OPEN!
I will admit I haven’t been sewing much (Covid energy-sap), but I do have plans. Honestly all I’ve really been up to is -work- but at least it’s fun work, getting so…
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The February 2021 Collection is Here – {Pre-Order Open!}
Time for the first collection of 2021! This year, the big plan is to do a pre-order every single month through August (yowza!). Our February collection got off to a bit of…
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The {FREE} American Duchess Cape Pattern
Click Here for the pattern Howdy! Since we put our Patreon to sleep, we needed to find a new place to host the #ADCapeCult 1910s Wrap Cape pattern. So it’s going to…
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{Video} Cake or Death – Marie Antoinette
This is a bit of a weird one. Last Spring, 2020, I made an attempt at Youtube, like SO many of us. I had an idea for a series of cake-decorating-meets-interesting-historical-deaths. Dark…
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How to Care for “Velvet” Finish Sauvage Leather
Leather comes in many different finishes, from smooth to suede to velvety. It’s important to know how to look after each of these leather types to keep your shoes looking great. Many…
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My 2020 Costuming Year in Review
This has indeed been a weird, challenging, rough year. I think I’ve left my house, like, 20 times max for 10 months. During this time I feel I sewed very little, but…
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Old Projects I, Uh, Forgot to Post About
With all the updates to Ye Olde Blogge, I was going back and checking the “Projects” page when I found several costumes I finished but never actually posted about. The horror! So…
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Lessons of the Volante – So Far
Du….Du Hast…Du Hast Mich… There’s something about pleat-to-fit garments that both attract me and drive me bonkers. I think it’s a combination of no two surviving examples being the same and my…
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Pattern Notes & Adjustments for Simplicity S8941
As promised, here is my really big post of pattern notes and adjustments for Simplicity S8941 1790s to Regency Round Gown and Open Robe pattern. This pattern was originally designed in the…
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1833 Plaid Silk Gown + All the Accessories – Done!
I can’t believe I never shared *finished* photos of the 1833 plaid day dress with all the accessories. I went through the whole making of it but, like…never showed the finish. That’s…
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The Medieval Gambeson as Winter Historybounding Jacket
We all *love* historybounding – wearing historical garments in modern contexts, mixed with modern dress or styling in some way great or small. It’s “secret” history…the muggles see an interesting jacket, but…