Ann Frankland Lewis – 1794. LACMA I’m excited to officially announce that we’ve developed another new historical dress pattern for Simplicity! Since first partnering with Simplicity several years ago I’ve learned so…
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The “En Fourreau” Myth
NOPE In our modern world there is much of the past that has been obscured. Looking through the lens of time, especially when you have to peer through the film of the…
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Simplicity Patterns Now Available on AmericanDuchess.com
Hi! This is just a quick announcement to let you know that we now have all of our American Duchess Simplicity costume patterns available at AmericanDuchess.com, woo! You’ll find Simplicity 8161 and…
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The State of the Book (2) Address
Abby works on Cynthia’s (Redthreaded) hair while I photographs each step for “The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty,” coming July 2019. Hi! I’ve been a pretty terrible blogger again this…
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The Eternal Sunshine of the 18th Century Gown
This year at Costume College it really was all very, very yellow This year I kindof copped out at the Costume College Gala…but in a very Georgian way. I can’t really say…
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A Little History of “Sophie” 18th Century Mules
The Laundress, 1761, by Greuze Mules! (AKA Slippers!) Did you know that mules were incredibly common in the 18th century? Women of all social classes wore them in various materials (silk, wool,…
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The Green Goblin: A 1790s Round Gown
The remainder…. It’s a few days before Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, and I’ve stitched the last stitch of a new gown for this year’s event. And what a horror it…
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The 7 Stages of Piecing
There are very few historical projects I’ve made over the years that have gone totally smoothly. In fact, I can think of one. Every other gown I’ve made, and a heck of…
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PRE-ORDER: Kensingtons for ALL!
My lovelies, today we have a *major* announcement for you. Lovers of 18th century costume rejoice, for our most popular “Kensington” 18th century shoes are now available in a range of colors…and…
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New Kensingtons Are Coming…
Ladies, we have a *big* announcement coming soon… If you want the inside scoop, click through to sign up for the email notification list.
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How to Fit 18th Century Shoe Buckles
You’ve just got yourself a fine new pair of American Duchess 18th century shoes and you ordered some sparkly 18th century shoe buckles to go with them. Now what? Fitting shoe buckles…
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What Are Those Knobbles on 1790s Stays?
From “Corsets and Crinolines” by Norah Waugh – see those nobbles? What are those nobbles for? Read on… Have you ever wondered about those weird round knobbles and pads on late 1780s-1790s…
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Book Signing Soiree at Lacis Museum of Lace & Textiles
This past weekend we popped over The Hill down to Berkeley to visit on of our favorite shops *ever* – Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles. We were honored to be invited…
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The Creature Reborn – Retrimming the Pink Polonaise
Once upon a time I made a pink taffeta polonaise and trimmed it in organza, a very 1770s thing to do. At the time, I tried hand roll hemming and found it…
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1765 Robe a la Bon Bon – Progress on the Gown
The sacque back is looking swell I’ve been sewing on-and-off on my new sacque for a few weeks now. I only have the weekends to fiddle these days, but luckily progress happens…
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1760s Robe a la Bon Bon – The Petticoat
Finished sacque petticoat over pocket hoops I’ve been steadily progressing on my new sacque, using the Simplicity 8578 Robe a la Francaise pattern we released December 2017. Since I already had pocket…
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A *New* 1760s Robe a la Bon Bon (or Sacque-a-Macarons?)
I have a confession to make. I admit to feeling quite jealous whenever I see Abby dressed in the pink and white 1768 sacque from The American Duchess Guide. To me, that…
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How to Lengthen/Shorten 18th Century Stays
The #1 question we receive about Simplicity 8162 (and will with Simplicity 8579 as well) is how to lengthen or shorten the stays. Particularly with Simplicity 8162, the body block used came…
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Patterns and Books for 18th Century Stays
Simplicity 8579 Stays, 1700 – 1770. With the release of our book, The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking, we’ve given you patterns and instructions for a great many lovely 18th…
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What is an 18th Century Milliner / Marchande de Modes?
La Marchande des Modes (The Modiste) – Studio of Francois Boucher – c. 1746. Wallace Collection When you’re just starting off in the world of 18th century dress, terminology can be *so*…
