The finish 1890s linen cycling jacket Like many of us during this lovely pandemic, I’ve been UFO-busting for the past several months. I’ve picked up and finished so many projects – two…
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Sewing Patterns for Turn of the 20th Century Historybounders
My version of Simplicity EA258101 with alterations, paired with a split skirt from Historical Emporium I’ve been on a wardrobe-building bender lately (er, when am I ever *not* wardrobe building?) and usually in…
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History is Cool: 1890s Belle Epoque Linen Summer Blouse
Hi all! Well, during this crazy time in human history I managed to start and actually finish one (1) project, an 1890s summer shirtwaist made in lovely white linen. I’ve been wanting…
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The Nevada Statehood Ball – An Evening in 1864
The crew – Abby, Chrissy, me, and Caroline at the Nevada Statehood Ball, 2019 – photo by Chase Stevens. A few posts ago I shared how I refit my 1860s Aubergine evening…
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A Spoopy Day in Virginia City, Nevada
The Spoop-Crew in Virginia City, NV. No actual buckets of blood were consumed, but we thought about it…. Several weekends ago a group of friends came to visit us here in Reno.…
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Altering My 1860s Evening Gown
Currently on my sewing table is a “simple” alteration to my one-and-only 1860s evening gown. I made this gown, along with a matching day bodice, back in 2014 and over the years…
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Photo Shoot: An Afternoon in the 1890s
Abby Cox in 1890s splendor in Virginia City, Nevada A little while back, Nicole and Abby got dressed up in late 19th century attire and we dashed up to Virginia City, our…
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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…
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Meet our New Theatrical Footwear Line!
American Duchess Spring/Summer 2019 Theatrical Line We are trying lots of new things this year in shoe-company-land. For years we have (rather unexpectedly) supplied historical footwear to the opera, ballet, and theater,…
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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…
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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…
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Historical Reproduction Winter Boots For You
It’s that time of year when the weather goes cold and you’re wanting a nice pair of boots to slog around in…historically, of course. Ladies of the past had a broad assortment…
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A Little History of “Vienna” Victorian Congress Boots
With the release of our shiny new “Vienna” Congress Boots this season, we thought we’d give a little history of this interesting, rather special kind of footwear. In the US the elastic-sided…
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Fall Pre-Order is OPEN!
American Duchess F/W2018 Pre-Order is open Aug 30 – Sept 20 at AmericanDuchess.com Ladies! It’s time for NEW historic shoes and boots! It’s “go big or go home” this Fall and we’ve…
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Lost In New York: Redthreaded and American Duchess Hit the Big Apple
Adventures in New York City! Back in May I visited New York City…again…it’s becoming a weirdly regular occurrence and that’s no bad thing. I love NYC. I love it – magical things…
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An 1880s Bodice Plastron – Refit
Me and Abby in our bustle gowns – totally different styles but we actually used the same pattern for the apron. Do you ever pop into your Costume Closet to decide what…
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A Little History of “Eliza” Early Victorian Shoes
American Duchess “Eliza” Early Victorian Oxfords in brown Today in our “little history” post I’ll give you some background on our new split-vamp oxford “Eliza.” The idea for the “Eliza” shoes came…
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A Little History of “Amelie” Satin Pumps
Amelie Victorian & Edwardian Satin Pumps with Clip-on Bows by American Duchess It’s that exciting time of year when we here at American Duchess present all the new Spring/Summer shoe styles for…
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PRE-ORDER! Spring Historic Shoes!
Ladies, it’s time. It’s February 1st. We promised you a pre-order and a pre-order you shall have! We have four fresh new styles for you covering pretty much all of the 19th…
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Please Vote! New Victorian/Edwardian Pumps in *Colors*
Shoes from J. Ferry, 1885-1890. The Met, 2009.300.1579a,b Ladies, for the first time *ever* we are able to offer a range of colors in one of our new styles for next Spring.…