Sometimes random things pop up, like a quick little project making a delightful pair of yellow and cream striped stays. How could I resist! I have a lovely client, also named Lauren,…
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Planned Projects for My 18th c. Ladies
What’s in the works here at American Duchess? KCI’s embroidered voile Regency gown, plus Janet Arnold’s open robe, done up in gleeming red taffeta. Deadline for this is December 18th, so the…
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The Almost-Finished Casaquin Jacket
This little jacket (which ain’t so little, turns out) is finally getting finished, and just in time for the fundraiser event on Saturday, where I will be representing an 18th c. lady…
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Costume Analytics: Marie Antoinette’s Celadon Zone-Front Gown
This week on Costume Analytics, we take a look at another of Marie Antoinette’s fabulous dresses, from the Sophia Coppola movie . This time it is the beautiful celadon green zone-front gown, with…
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Design Sundays: “Holly Day Dress” on Garmz.com
I thought I’d try my hand at a dress, inspired by both the 18th century and the 1960s. It’s a winter party dress, heavy wine-colored satin with nice big pleats at the…
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Costume Analytics: Katrina’s Zone Front Ensemble, “Sleepy Hollow” (1999)
Better late than never! And this week on Costume Analytics, we’re taking a look at a great, spooky, Burton-y interpretation of 18th c. costume, from “Sleepy Hollow” (1999). This costume belongs to…
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Three Vintage Hats and the American Duchess Boutique
Hello historically inspired ladies! I thought you might be interested in three vintage hats I’ve listed in the new and improved American Duchess Boutique on Etsy. Here they are (click the photos)):…
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Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing = Tailoring Magic for the 18th c. Costumer
Do you guys know about Gertie’s? I don’t remember how I found this blog, but it’s absolutely fantastic. She is doing a “sew along” on a retro-style winter coat, and each post…
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What’s All This About Casaquins?
Half a casaquin, the lovely and somewhat strange pleats in back. You may have noticed I’ve been talking a lot about 18th c. jackets, particularly the casaquin, lately. There’s a good reason…
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Costume Analytics: The American Redingote, 1791
This week on Costume Analytics we will take a trip across the Pond and look at a snazzy American fashion, depicted in Ralph Earl’s 1791 portrait of Mrs. William Moseley. This is…
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Design Sundays: “Raindrops” Raincoat on Garmz.com
“Raindrops” coat design, by yours truly. Give it a vote (click the picture) This week on Design Sunday: a new jacket sketch inspired by an absolutely darling 18th c. pink, quilted, hooded…
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What Exactly IS a Tea Gown?
Pretty new teacup from Sacramento. There is a tea coming up, to which my Lady Mother and I have been invited, and we’re quibbling over what to wear. In our modern-American-brains we…
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What Is the Difference Between a Caraco and a Casaquin? and Other 18th c. Jackets…
Countess Olympe asked the question, “what is the difference between a caraco and a casaquin?” And what about those other jackets-with-mysterious-French-names too? Well here we go… Disclaimer: The information in this post…
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Costume Analytics: 1780s Casaquin Jacket
This week on Costume Analytics we are taking a look at an extant garment from the 1780s. This little jacket is known as a “casaquin,” a short jacket usually pleated at the…
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1940s Evening Gown in Progress
I have mucho to update you all on, and I’m having difficultly deciding where and which project to start with! See, it’s one of *those* months, in which way too many things…
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American Duchess Designs on Garmz.com
Special thanks to Lady Carolyn Runnells, who sent me a link to this snazzy new website, called Garmz.com, I think you should *all* take a look at. It’s a website for clothing…
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Costume Analytics: 1770-80 Chintz Caraco & Petticoat
This week on Costume Analytics, we’ll be looking at everyone’s favorite caraco-petticoat ensemble, from the V&A. A beautiful example of a matching jacket and skirt, this English ensemble is made up in…
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Pattern Grading, Not For the Faint of Heart
The dining table in all its glory I just finished a bit of an assignment that is quite literally the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my entire seamstering…
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Stays – Olympe’s Test Stays Complete
I’ve learned SO much while working on these stays, and much shall change in the final pattern. They’re to be mailed off to Olympe today, for a fitting, and we’ll go from…
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Costume Analytics: Marie Antoinette’s Dove Grey Riding Habit
Welcome to “Costume Analytics,” where we take a close look (or as close as possible) at scintillating costume pieces from portraits, movies, and museums, and break down what they’re made of, how…
