It’s time for the annual American Duchess Bastille Day Sale – a lovely little mid-summer clearance. This year we have a lot of odds, ends, bits, bobs, end-of-line stuff hanging about. We’re…
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Dress Analytics: Madame de Pompadour by Francois Boucher, 1756 {Video}
Today I have a new video for you…it’s basically a blog post in video form (lol) – you can listen to my charming stuffed-up-elf voice tell you about the gown in this…
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Petticoat Pitfalls for Grand Panniers
Well shoot, this didn’t work…. Don’t you just love when you finish up a project, perhaps the first part of an ensemble, something you’ve maybe done numerous times before, only to put…
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How to Avoid Lampshade Hoops in the 18th Century
It’s a thing in the Georgian period too! I’ve recently started on my next big (physically big), early 18th century project, a Robe Volante. One of the reasons I felt confident to…
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1765 Robe a la Bon Bon – Simplicity 8578 – Trimming the Beast
Cutting strip after strip of pinked trim – the trick is the fold up your fabric three or four layers and cut through all at once. A plain sacque in a gorgeous…
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How to Dress 18th Century – 1770 – 1780 Robe a la Polonaise {Video}
Howdy! I’ve been trying to make videos for getting dressed in different decades of the 18th century, since this is quite a visual subject and video is a natural tool for this…
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1720s – 1740s Robe Volante – Initial Musings
I just can’t get enough of 18th century back pleats! The time has come. This one has been brewing for awhile. I have a sortof underdog love for weird garments or time…
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Feet Are Weird {Video}
Yup, they sure are! In this hopefully very useful and interesting video, Nicole explains all that goes into how shoes fit, and why it’s never as simple as just length and width.
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1765 Robe a la Bon Bon Sacque – Simplicity 8578 – Construction Complete!
Trying on the new sacque – it’s always nice to have something, y’know, fit at its first real try-on. Next time I say something like, “oh I’ll just throw this sacque together…
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Getting Dressed in 18th Century – 1780s – 1790 {Video}
Let’s get dressed! Hi Lovelies! I made a short video showing the steps and pieces of getting dressed in a 1780s Italian gown or Robe a l’Anglaise. I know for new costumers…
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Pattern Notes on Simplicity 8578 – Robe a la Francaise Dress Pattern
A couple years ago now we worked with Simplicity to create a Robe a la Francaise pattern (Simplicity 8578) based on Abby’s sacque in The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking.…
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What Is a “Hedgehog” Hairstyle *Really*?
A lady sporting the hedgehog hairstyle – 1775-78. Gallerie des Modes, MFA.org 44.1344 It is a truth universally acknowledged that all 18th century historic costumers, when we first start, quickly come into…
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Cake or Death – Marie Antoinette
I have a new video for you today, the first in a series! I’m quite proud of this, even though it’s…weird, and possibly off-color. I hope you enjoy it!
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Finished Vintage Dress UFO #2 – Simplicity 3280
Simplicity 3280 1939 dress in rayon faille Two weekends, two finished vintage dress UFOs, and I have to say it feels *great* to pick up old projects and finish them! I hate…
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Finished Vintage Dress UFO #1 – Simplicity 8248
Simplicity 8248 1930s day dress with alterations. Reader, I must admit I am *terrible* at finishing UFOs – “unfinished objects.” I have two sewing mindsets: I want something quick, easy, and satisfying…
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Coming Up: LIVE Youtube Q&A with Lauren – Covid-19 and Small Business
Hi everyone, I will be going live on Youtube on **Monday, April 13th at 10 am PDT** to talk about Covid-19, small business, and how we’ve been affected. You can follow us…
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Spring Cleaning 2020 SALE!
It’s that time of year again…Spring Cleaning! In the midst of all the madness you may be sewing up a storm. Even though all the events and shows are cancelled, don’t miss…
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#ADCapeCult – Free 1910s Cape PDF Pattern!
Free 1910s Cape Pattern – click here! Hi! If you’ve been following us on Instagram you may have seen the explosion of capes. We’ve released a free PDF gridded pattern for a…
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History is Cool: 1890s Belle Epoque Linen Summer Blouse
Hi all! Well, during this crazy time in human history I managed to start and actually finish one (1) project, an 1890s summer shirtwaist made in lovely white linen. I’ve been wanting…
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American Duchess on Youtube!
Hi all! Well, in light of recent and ongoing events, we’re all at home making lots and lots of Youtube videos. It’s a good way to help keep the costuming and sewing…
