For this year’s Costume College gala, the theme was “The Opulent Streets of Venice,” which can be, well, anything really! Abby, Chrissy, and I decided to be opulently wide and fluffy, so…
-
-
Costume College 2019
American Duchess crew in 18th century attire – Friday night at Costume College 2019 Another year, another fabulous Costume College! If you’re unfamiliar with Costume College, it’s a 5-day costuming convention in…
-
Resplendent in 1835 – A Photoshoot
Nicole Rudolph in her c. 1835 ensemble. OK, so it’s pretty obvious I’m obsessed with the 1830s now (though I will never stop loving the 18th century deeply). I’ve made two gowns…
-
#SewingIsHard – 1830s Skirts!
Hi lovelies! It’s time for a new video all about the magical world of 1830s skirts. If you’re working on an 1830s gown, be it for day or evening, we’ve got some…
-
#SewingIsHard – A Corded Petticoat
via I realize I never posted this video here for you guys. Abby shares her trials and tribulations in making her 1830s corded petticoat. Enjoy! If you’d like the PDF pattern and…
-
All About 1830s Corsets and Fan Lacing
One of the biggest questions we get about our 1830s ensembles is about the corsets, so we’ve made a video telling you all about them: Both of our corsets were purchased from…
-
My 1830s Bonnet
In the quest to be ever huger in our 1830s attire, the Gigot Girl Gang™ chose a variety of headgear to top off each of our ensembles. Maggie used bonnet shapes from…
-
My Ghosts of Dickens Fairs Past
This year will be my first visit to Dickens Fair in San Francisco in many years, and I’m *excited.* I’ve been to Dickens many times, and even worked it as a member…
-
1833 Plaid Dickens Dress – Progress!
Abby and I think these gowns look rather like 1950s evening gowns before the sleeves go on and ruin everything! More 1830s goodness! All the other Gigot Girl Gang members were working…
-
An 1833-ish Dickens Fair Gown!
#goals I have had an inexplicable love affair with the early 1830s for many years now, but it’s never been satiated….until NOW! This year, our Gigot Girl Gang™ is headed to Dickens…
-
What I’ve Learned About the 1830s in 2.75 Days
Dress, c. 1835 – FIDM Though I have less and less time to devote to making historical costumes these days (ironically, but such is running two footwear companies), I still love a…
-
1820s Green Dress Construction Details – Bodice
Happy Friday! Abby here again for more yummy 1820s Green Dress construction info & detail shots! If you missed previous posts you can check out the general observation & sleeve details, dating,…
-
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Bonhams
-
My First 1830s Dress – Complete!
I managed to finish something! It feels so good, considering the *pile* of started, half-finished, nearly-finished, and will-never-be-finished costume bits & bobs I have cluttering up my desk and all over my…
-
Options for 1830s Headgear
This coming weekend is the first time I’ll take the red 1830s dress out for a spin (assuming I :::cough::: finish it :::cough:::), and while I had grand plans to create a…
-
Adventures in the 1830s – For Real This Time
The Met, 1835 I’ve been wanting to make an 1830s dress for a long time now, but haven’t actually, y’know, done it. Until now. I can’t really account for how the sewing…
-
My Annual Sewing Rut
Once again, I have absolutely no motivation to make a single stitch of anything lately. I’ve learned that this is quite normal, and that if I force the issue I’ll regret it.…
-
Happy Valentine’s Day!
…here’s a pink dress… LACMA, 1830 It’s a dress I’m madly in love with. It’s the kind of painful sort of love that makes me want to attempt to make this, but…
-
Extant Victorian Side-Lacing Gaiters
Darlings, I realize I’ve been going on and on about “Gettysburg” boots without showing you the real deal! So here are lots of examples of pretty gaiters from the 1830s to the…
-
Pre-Order: “Gettysburg” Victorian Side-Lace Boots
Today I’m happy to open the pre-order for “Gettysburg” Victorian Side-Lace Boots. Pre-Order January 10 – 30, 2014 SALE $135 ($155) www.AmericanDuchess.com Gettysburg boots are typical of footwear found between 1830 and…