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Pompadour French Court Shoes, 12.5 Years Later

Pompadour French Court Shoes, 12.5 Years Later

Our Pompadour 18th Century Shoes are an American Duchess classic! With their custom, curvy Louis heel, easy-to-use tabbed latchet closure, and period accurate white rand, these babies are a tried-and-true...
American Duchess
Pink Popularity in the 18th Century

Pink Popularity in the 18th Century

If you're anything like us, you have probably been really into the moment the color pink is having in fashion this summer, thanks to a certain iconic doll. It's been...
American Duchess
Fabrics for the 18th Century and Beyond

Fabrics for the 18th Century and Beyond

Robe a la Francaise, 1770, LACMA M.2007.211 - beautiful and expensive printed cotton One of the top questions I get from budding 18th century costumers is "what fabric should I...
Lauren Stowell
Dress Analytics: Madame de Pompadour by Francois Boucher, 1756 {Video}

Dress Analytics: Madame de Pompadour by Francois Boucher, 1756 {Video}

Today I have a new video for you...it's basically a blog post in video form (lol) - you can listen to my charming stuffed-up-elf voice tell you about the gown...
American Duchess
Petticoat Pitfalls for Grand Panniers

Petticoat Pitfalls for Grand Panniers

Well shoot, this didn't work.... Don't you just love when you finish up a project, perhaps the first part of an ensemble, something you've maybe done numerous times before, only...
American Duchess
How to Avoid Lampshade Hoops in the 18th Century

How to Avoid Lampshade Hoops in the 18th Century

It's a thing in the Georgian period too! I've recently started on my next big (physically big), early 18th century project, a Robe Volante. One of the reasons I felt...
American Duchess
A Little History of "Sophie" 18th Century Mules

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...
American Duchess
How to Lengthen/Shorten 18th Century Stays

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...
The Many Types of 18th Century Gowns

The Many Types of 18th Century Gowns

I realized today with the 18th century gowns I have made I have only scratched the surface of how many different types there were. It's easy to fall into the...
American Duchess
How To Make 18th c. Cockades

How To Make 18th c. Cockades

by Lauren Reeser Cockades are so cool. They add so much interest and texture to a hat, pinned to a jacket, even tied onto your shoes. So here's how to...
American Duchess
Button, Button - Who's Got the Button?

Button, Button - Who's Got the Button?

by Dana Reeser Or more correctly, who made the button? Lil' Duchie never played "button button" so she didn't get the reference, but this is Lil' Duchie's Lady Mother writing...
American Duchess
:Ubersexlich 18th c. Men's Suit - More Progress...Again...

:Ubersexlich 18th c. Men's Suit - More Progress...Again...

Please excuse the messiness of my room! More progress on James' velvet and brocade suit. The linings are being hand-stitched in and pleats adjusted...and....and.... The right side in this photo...
American Duchess