Here it is, the update on the 1790s stripey jacket, as promised! There really wasn’t and isn’t much left to do on this piece. Tonight I set the sleeves, sewed some boning…
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Feathers: Look What I’ve Got!!!
The trip up to Reno this past weekend proved to be very fruitful indeed! I came back with more feathers! I acquired a bag full of beautiful, perfect, fanned out pheasant wings,…
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1790s Jacket: A Bit O’ Progress
The bulk of the project mostly pinned together, to get an idea how it will all look when completed. I started putting together this jacket last night, using a flatlining technique new…
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1790s Striped Jacket – progress!
Oh hey, look what I found… I walked into my local Hancock Fabrics this past Saturday, pleased with the huge “50% OFF!” banner hung on the outside of the building, and there,…
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18th c. Wigs of Glory: Addition and Subtraction
It has taken me way too many days of experimentation, failing, purchasing, more experimenting, and attempting to film it all, to get this wig together and in a state of glory. Ladies…
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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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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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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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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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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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Behind the Masque: Owl Mask Concept and References
What is more intriguing than and 18th c. Masquerade (and it’s masks)? American Duchess’ first monster project, which all the dress diary entries so far have been working towards, is the notorious…
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I’m NOT Crazy! – Examples of Incredible Feather Gowns
Holy Mackerel! Look what I found wandering the interwebs! This is an Yves Saint Laurent gown made of pheasant and vulture (vulture!?) feathers. It’s GORGEOUS!! I don’t have access to vultures, but…
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Hair of Great Enormity – a Practical How-To…
Get ready ladies. This is the post you’ve all been waiting for! A step-by-step guide to creating 18th c. monster hair from a long synthetic wig. So by now you’ve got your…
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1795 Open Robe: The Sheety Toile
The time has come to create the pattern for the 1795 Open Robe! I printed out my scan of the Janet Arnold “Patterns of Fashion” robe and was pleased to see that…
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18th Century Wig-stravaganza Pt.1
Hooray, my wigs have finally come and are in my clutches! After ripping open the box and hastily pulling my two wigs out of their packages, I stuffed the first one on…
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Wig Ransom
My wigs arrived today! Unfortunately they are being held hostage in the apartment complex office. I will likely pick them up tomorrow evening, in exchange for the ridiculous amount of dollars that…