American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
1770s Powerpuff Polonaise Progress
I've been working little by little on the pink polonaise I started last weekend. It's been incredibly tricky to figure out, but it appears to be working. I re-fit the...
New Project: 1770s Powerpuff Polonaise
I have terrible Costume A-D-D right now. I want to make ALL the 18th century things! It's good to be inspired, though! I have a trip to Colonial Williamsburg coming...
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...
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...
More Highlights from Williamsburg and Jamestown
I was quite terrible (and busy) and didn't take a lot of photos, but here are a few more from the trip... Day 1... Maggie and I arrived, dropped our...
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...
V280: Our First Day in Colonial Williamsburg
Carriage tour in the morning Today my mumsies and I enjoyed our first full day in the 18th century, touring the Governor's Palace, poking our heads in shops, taking a...
V250: Finished 1770s Parisian Chapeau
Awhile ago I posted a little page of sketches for a late 1770s hat to go with my striped "Parisian Gown." I went out and bought all the materials for...
V245: Floral Gowns of the 1770s (and a little 1780s too)
Met - 1770s-80s gown, remodeled from c. 1740s silk Happy Saturday! Chris and I have been working overtime packing up Pompadours and white Kensingtons to ship out, so I'm a...
V220: The Parisian Gown - Finished!
Despite all the trouble this gown gave me, I'm so happy with how it turned out! I certainly learned many a lesson about fabric choice, sleeve construction, and general patterning....
V212: Georgian Hair Hopping
Chris and I did a photo shoot the other night, for the clocked stockings pre-sale coming up in a couple days. I wore my new "Parisian Gown," and wanted to...
V208: 1770s Chapeau de Paris Sketches
I'm winding down the Parisian Gown (at least the gown part of it), and realize I need an awesome hat to go with it. No ordinary bergere will do -...