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What to Do When Someone Else is Making the Same Dress As You...

What to Do When Someone Else is Making the Same Dress As You...

(....or has made the same dress...) Do it anyway! I've recently been eyeballing the 1660 bodice from the V&A, remembering how much I love the 1660s and that I've only...
American Duchess
Time Travel: The Baroque Gown at June Gaskells Ball

Time Travel: The Baroque Gown at June Gaskells Ball

So what if Gaskell's Ball in Oakland, CA, has a Victorian theme! I wore the Baroque, and loved every minute of it. I'm continually surprised at how comfortable this costume...
American Duchess
The Baroque, AT LAST

The Baroque, AT LAST

My lovely blog readers, you have been so patient in waiting for me to chug through a couple other costumes before returning to The Baroque, but at long last your...
American Duchess
Going Baroque: Mucho Progresso!

Going Baroque: Mucho Progresso!

Much has been accomplished since last I posted. For one, I worked on the skirt, cutting the front length and making the swooping curve that creates the train in back....
American Duchess
The Baroque-o-Files: Tidbits and The Backs of Things

The Baroque-o-Files: Tidbits and The Backs of Things

Please forgive the messy messy room! However, dogs are always included :-) The tabs will be *under* the skirt when it's worn. I've cut the skirt to length, with a...
American Duchess
Baroque-Orama: Lace Reform, Etc.

Baroque-Orama: Lace Reform, Etc.

I've done so much hand-sewing today that my wrist hurts and I have to stop! I don't wanna stop!! This morning, being clear, bright, and only minorly breezy, I undertook...
American Duchess
Going Baroque: Progress Bit-by-Bit

Going Baroque: Progress Bit-by-Bit

I could say that this is going slowly and tediously, but each piece is exciting to me! Last night I stitched on another piece of the satin bodice covering, and...
American Duchess
Going Baroque - The Danger of Satin, and a Tale of One Sleeve

Going Baroque - The Danger of Satin, and a Tale of One Sleeve

This 1660s bodice is coming together in bits and pieces, in no particular order, with no particular sense, yet is somehow coming out alright. I've run out of bones, but...
American Duchess
Going Baroque: De-Bling-ification

Going Baroque: De-Bling-ification

That's just TOO MUCH BLING! Yesterday I acquired my trim, 8 yards of stiff, shiny, blingy silver goodness, about 2" wide...but unfortunately blisteringly, blindingly blingy. Too much bling - baroque...
American Duchess
Going Baroque : Patterning Extravaganza

Going Baroque : Patterning Extravaganza

Ah, the joyous process of draping and drafting. There is nothing quite like developing a pattern from nothing, finding the shapes, getting the exact fit. I don't claim to be...
American Duchess
Going Baroque - The Guts of the Beast

Going Baroque - The Guts of the Beast

So excited about this costume am I that I spent tonight sewing the lining (simple white muslin) and the interlining (canvas) together and beginning my boning channels, to make the...
American Duchess
Adventures in the Forgotten Century - American Duchess Goes Baroque

Adventures in the Forgotten Century - American Duchess Goes Baroque

There comes a time in every girly costumer's seamstressing career when she wants a pink polonaise, a huge, fluffy, crispy, pink taffeta 18th century polonaise. She salivates over the mere...
American Duchess