What is one way to save literally barrels full of cash on your out-of-control costuming habit? Remodel, revamp, reuse, recycle, and refurbish your old gowns into brand new ones! Remodeling gowns is…
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Festival of Feathers: Let the Madness Begin
Good thing I put that linen toile together for this robe, otherwise I’d be 100% lost. Instead, I’m only 60% lost! Every tiny thing is a challenge. I realized, once I started…
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The Directoire Depressionista: Costuming & the Economy
The Guilt of the FeathersSitting amidst my piles of rooster feathers, I come to realize that I feel guilty about the purchase of them. The desire to create the most fantastic over-the-top…
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Wolfie and Woffington Give a Nod to Lil’ Duchie
Finally I have returned from work-related duties in Atlanta, Georgia, and have been greeted by such a wonderful surprise! The Celebrated Mrs. Woffington, a wonderful 18th c. blog, has awarded me The…
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“Sewing Drought”
So happy was I to receive my feathers and fabrics this past weekend…until I remembered that I won’t be able to work on the costume at all for the next two weeks!…
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OhGawdFeathers: Enter the Schlappen
I get to have a goofy title for this entry because quite frankly, this is all nuts. I received my feathers this past weekend, a great big plastic bag full of them.…
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How To Bleach Feathers…
…or “Changing Birds in Mid-Stream.” As you all know by now, I have been amassing to me a legion of feathers for the Halloween barn owl costume. The rooster schlappen has been…
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Guts: 1790s Wrap-Front Gown Details
I was very bad throughout the construction of the voile roundgown, and didn’t take nearly enough photos nor update this blog on the gown’s construction. My excuse is that I was so…
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Using the Binding Presser Foot You Don’t Have…
…And Can’t Get For Your Machine. I was full of glee today when I discovered such a thing as a binding presser foot for home sewing machines. Visions of perfectly machine stitched…
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Wherin Lil’ Duchie Justifies the Purchase of All Those Feathers…
If you read last night’s tedious entry about feathers, you might have been shocked by how much money I just spent on feathers. I was a little shocked myself as I punched…
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1795 Owl Robe: The Perils of Plumage
Having survived the first half of the year’s costuming rushes and events, it’s time, at last, to start collecting materials for this year’s Costume of Insanity, the Barn Owl Halloween costume. Back…
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8 Drool-Worthy 18th c. Dresses From the Kyoto Costume Institute
For some time now I’ve had the Kyoto Costume Institute’s book…the miniature version. It was not until this afternoon that I finally received the KCI “big book,” quite literally a costume “bible,”…
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How To: Sizing Up Vintage Patterns For Modern Wear
Never fear, dear readers, for while this particular tutorial is showing a vintage 1950s pattern, these techniques can be used for any pattern that is not your size. Generally we find that…
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1795 Robe & Gown: Le Societe De Pique Nique Event
Hooray! The first wear of the 1795 linen robe and voile gown ensemble, complete with 18th c. Hair of Great Enormity, and the curved-brim Great Hat! I know I’ve been bad in…
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Behind The Masque: Owl Mask Inspiration Pt. 2
With something as outlandish as what has been percolating in my head, concerning the mask to accompany the barn owl ensemble, I feel it necessary to put as much planning, forethought, and…
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1795 Open Robe: It’s About Time For Some PROGRESS
Finally! *Actual* progress! The 1795 Robe is almost completely constructed, but still miles from being finished. This mockup in yellow linen is unlined, and I have an obsessive problem with the interiors…
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Travels In Time: Where Has Lil’ Duchess Been?
Oh Dear Readers, if I have not lost you completely, I’m sure you’ve been wondering in an upset fashion why I haven’t posted anything in the past couple weeks or so. This…
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Hat-tachements: Resources For Hatpins
By now you all have a hat, of course, fabulously trimmed with ribbons and plummage. There is just one problem: how do you keep this thing on your head!? Enter The Hatpin.…
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A Wild Hair : When Good Wigs Gets Better
At about 3 A.M. one morning I decided my 18th century “big wig” just wasn’t big enough. It’s not that I thought it ugly, it just wasn’t the right shape. It was…
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The Amazing Crafthat Pt. Deux : Finishing!
When we last looked at our friend The Amazing Crafthat, the crown had been cut off and the brim shaped into a lovely curve, using the spray-bottle method. Now it’s time to…
