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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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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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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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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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…
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Staycation – More Progress on Olympe’s Test Stays
The tabs on the right are bound, but not on the left. Also to come – eyelets, bindings, and ribbons for the straps. Some more progress on the test stays for Olympe.…
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Staying Put – Olympe’s Test Stays, and Moving
More work on the test garment that will help me fit Olympe’s stays. I’ve installed all the boning as well as the grommets (to be covered in threads in the future). I’ve…
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Olympe’s Stays – Overnight Stay
The boning channels, stuffed. I should have taken more care to cut the peach jacquard in a way more, well, thought through, but as a mock-up garment it was not the priority.…
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Olympe’s Stays – Mock-Up Progress
The blue line at the waist indicates where an additional tab will be cut, after installing the bones. Ah, lovely progress on Olympe’s stays this evening – well, the mock-up in any…
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The Stays That Bind: Olympe’s 18th c. Stays
Starting a new project, a pair of stays, a commission for Olympe. Olympe’s materials – cream jacquard, yellow linen, and the stays shall be interlined in canvas They will lace at the…
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Ladies, Your Opinions Please…
Please vote for your favourite Robe a l’Anglaiseonline surveys
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A Few 18th c. Style Fabrics You Should Know About…
I’ve been scouring all my favorite web-haunts for fabrics from which to make my summer dresses. In the search, I’ve come across some really gorgeous batistes, lawns, and voiles that are just…
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How To Make 18th c. Cockades
by Lauren Reeser Cockades are so cool. They add so much interest and texture to a hat, pinned to a jacket, even tied onto your shoes. So here’s how to make them……
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Button, Button – Who’s Got the Button?
by Dana Reeser Or more correctly, who made the button? Lil’ Duchie never played “button button” so she didn’t get the reference, but this is Lil’ Duchie’s Lady Mother writing to you…
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:Ubersexlich 18th c. Men’s Suit – More Progress…Again…
Please excuse the messiness of my room! More progress on James’ velvet and brocade suit. The linings are being hand-stitched in and pleats adjusted…and….and…. The right side in this photo still needs…
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:Ubersexlich – Progres on Le Suit
Progress on James’ 18th c. suit. Actually, lots of progress, but on things that just aren’t things you take pictures of for your blog: black buttonholes on black fabric, interior linings sewn…
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Happy St. Patricks Day, from Irish-American Duchess
Some bits and pieces to wish you a happy St. Patty’s. Firstly, some green. I’ve been practicing my cockade-making and it’s beginning to make a bit more sense. I still haven’t gotten…