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2017 - Costuming Year in Review

2017 - Costuming Year in Review

Jane Austen Festival, 2017. Photo by Tony Tumbusch. It's that time - that year-end-year-beginning-blog-post time. This year I feel I was a terrible blogger. One of the side effects of...
Pieces of Me - Remaking an 18th Century Gown

Pieces of Me - Remaking an 18th Century Gown

Sacque gown, partially deconstructed, 1765-69 - National Trust NT 1350856 It's commonly known that 18th century dress textiles were made and remade and remade again. A great many extant gowns...
The "State of the Book" Address - Updates and Progress

The "State of the Book" Address - Updates and Progress

Well it's been a couple months now since we announced the writing of our 18th century sewing book, which now has an official title: "The American Duchess Guide to 18th...
Lauren Stowell
Spotlight: New "Fraser"  Early 18th Century Leather Shoes

Spotlight: New "Fraser" Early 18th Century Leather Shoes

Lauren reporting - As you all know, this year we've opened all of our new Fall/Winter historic styles for pre-order at the same time. We've also made the pre-order period...
American Duchess
My Big Fat Yellow English Gown - Finito!

My Big Fat Yellow English Gown - Finito!

Lauren here - Doesn't it just feel *so good* to best a cranky project, wear it, and love it? I'd been working on my yellow English Gown for most of...
American Duchess
My 1740s "Mutton Chop" Cap

My 1740s "Mutton Chop" Cap

The Athenaeum - Lettice Mary Banks (William Hoare - ) English 1746 It's getting down to the wire on Costume College preparations. Most of my major projects are a few...
American Duchess
And It Was All Yellow...

And It Was All Yellow...

You're going to think I'm all-over-the-place right now, and you would be right. Projects here, projects there, moving house, moving business, omg! It's been stressy, for sure, but this is...
American Duchess
Larkin & Smith 1770s English Gown Progress

Larkin & Smith 1770s English Gown Progress

Last night I finally got back to work on the 1770s English gown. I'd only pleated the back and stitched one side down, before, but here's what I did last...
American Duchess
English Gowns of the 18th Century

English Gowns of the 18th Century

I've had my sewing confidence rattled lately by the utter failure of my Robe a la Turque, so I'm sorely in need of some hand-holding through a project. Enter the...
American Duchess
1740s Scottish Tartan Outfit - Done!

1740s Scottish Tartan Outfit - Done!

1740s Scottish working woman's tartan wool ensemble (Here's another I'm posting about from *the future* - ah, how remiss in never finishing up these projects! But here goes...)There wasn't much...
American Duchess
Plannings For A 1740s Scottish Ensemble

Plannings For A 1740s Scottish Ensemble

I do love me some OL and the show's been inspiring some Scottish-themed ideas, especially since I "rediscovered" a gorgeous tartan skirt that's been lurking in my closet the last...
American Duchess
1740s Riding Habit Waistcoat and Shirt

1740s Riding Habit Waistcoat and Shirt

It's been a flurry of sewing madness here, getting ready for Colonial Williamsburg next week. I've ripped into a lot of garments, and made some pretty big changes to many...
American Duchess