The late 18th century “hedgehog” hairstyle is one of the easiest coifs to create, though is can seem daunting at first. You can create this style on wigs or hairpiece, but also…
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V200: Redingote Portraits of Win
I love the 1780s and 90s, particularly the mannish styles, like the Redingote. Something about those big collars and buttons, paired with big-ass Gainsborough hats – YUM! Lady in Light Blue Gown…
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V199: Georgian Man Candy
Oh, I know you’re disappointed this post isn’t about sexy, be-wigged gentlemen on the 18th century. It’s about the kind of bling a man would have worn on his shoes (shoes, of…
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V196: Bastille Day Sale, July 14-15 – Vive La France!
Today and tomorrow, all 18th century items in the American-Duchess.com shop are on sale for 25% off. That includes Pompadours, Kensingtons, and Pemberlies, as well as Fleur and Dauphine shoe buckles. Visit…
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V195: Red Dress in The Garden
Here is preview of a shoot Chris and I did yesterday, for this weekend’s Bastille Day Sale. More on that tomorrow, along with more photos…
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V194: More Robe a l’Anglaise Problem Solving
Just getting any idea of final look, with one panel of skirt pinned on, and some trim pinned to the CF – the trim will go around the neckline and down the…
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V191: Matchy – Or Not – Striped 18th Century Gowns
Sometimes it really helps, when you’re in the midst of working on a project, to go back and look at reference images, to see how the seamstresses back in the day did…
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V190: Progress on the 1770s l’Anglaise
Oooo, fits niiice… LIES! I spent all day yesterday working on this new robe a l’Anglaise, draping, then cutting and stitching. Then correcting. Correcting more. Cursing. More correcting. Ah, if only that…
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V189: Beginning a Robe a l’Anglaise a la Polonaise
I’ve been procrastinating on, well, everything costume-related, and with Costume College a mere month away, it’s time to get down to business with this striped gown. My material – I have enough…
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V185: The Polonaise Jacket of Doom and Hell
Du…Du Hast…Du Hast Mich You know those projects that just don’t want to be made, and give you trouble all the way through to the violent end? This is one of those.…
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V184: My First Real 18th Century Shoe Buckles
Ebay is such a wonderous place. I won an auction for these awesome 18th century shoe buckles – only $35!! They were quite brown when they arrived from England, but a little…
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V180: A Little Georgian Humor
This delightful image popped up on my Pinterest feed the other day, and I just had to share it with you… Henry Bunbury – “Me, my wife, and Daughter” There are quite…
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V179: More Georgian Jackets … Decisions, Decisions
I certainly have a love affair with 18th c. jackets. They’re just so darned cute! Now I get to decide, yet again, what kind of jacket to make from 2 yards of…
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V178: 1770s Polonaise Jacket Progress
I haven’t been in a super-sewing mood, but I have made a little progress on the polonaise jacket planned for our Colonial Williamsburg trip this coming October. I draped the pattern for…
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V177: Cool Georgian Fashion Plate Mirror Art
I received a lovely gift from Oscar and Debbie, of VintageDancer.com – two 18th century fashion plate mirror artworks. They cam from a local auction and are hella cool and perfect for…
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V173: New “Coming Soon” Historical Accessories to Get Excited About
I can’t help it – I get excited about new products I’m working on, and I want to share them with you! There are cool things in the works. I have dreams…
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V160: Progress on My 18th c. Pocket…and Then More Pockets!
I’ve been embroidering on and off since early May, on my first Georgian pocket. I originally used a pattern from Costume Close-Up: Clothing Construction and Pattern, 1750-1790, but decided not to follow…
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V159: 18th Century Bow Jewelry – What to Look For and Where to Get It Today
1780 In the 18th century, bows were a very popular motif found in just about everything aesthetic – architecture and interior design, textile and clothing, and jewelry. For today’s topic, we’re looking…
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V158: Pocket Trash
What is Pocket Trash? I first heard this term used by the lovely Miss Emily Waterman and her Doctor, in regards to items carried on your person, while re-enacting, or dressed in…
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V156: A Start to The Billinghurst Stays, 17??
Rather awhile ago I shared with you some photos of a very interesting, atypical pair of 18th century stays held in our local costume and textile collection. There was much discussion as to…