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In Defense of Faux Silk - The Revolution Dress in Colonial Williamsburg

In Defense of Faux Silk - The Revolution Dress in Colonial Williamsburg

Day two in Colonial Williamsburg - it was pouring down rain all day. This post will probably ruffle some feathers, but I feel compelled to report on my experience concerning...
American Duchess
18th c. Red Petticoat Re-Fashion

18th c. Red Petticoat Re-Fashion

Woot! The first project of 2015 is complete, and piece #1 of my Robe a la Turque is ready. Refashioned red petticoat with apron This petticoat was once a sad,...
American Duchess
More Highlights from Williamsburg and Jamestown

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...
Re-Fit ALL the Things!

Re-Fit ALL the Things!

The Met, 1774-93 - Evidence of a gown let out to accommodate wide shoulders. As you all know, in our sewing journeys, no matter the years that have passed, things...
American Duchess
V195: Red Dress in The Garden

V195: Red Dress in The Garden

Here is preview of a shoot Chris and I did yesterday, for this weekend's Bastille Day Sale. More on that tomorrow, along with more photos...
American Duchess
V196: Bastille Day Sale, July 14-15 - Vive La France!

V196: Bastille Day Sale, July 14-15 - Vive La France!

Today and tomorrow, all 18th century items in the American-Duchess.com shop are on sale for 25% off. That includes Pompadours, Kensingtons, and Pemberlies, as well as Fleur and Dauphine shoe...
American Duchess
V146: Red 18th Century Petticoat with Vandyked Hem

V146: Red 18th Century Petticoat with Vandyked Hem

Okay, nothing brilliant today, just wanted to share a finished mini-project with you. Last weekend I made a petticoat to go with The Revolution Dress. I found the same red...
American Duchess
V53: 18th Century Costume Modeling at Nevada Museum of Art

V53: 18th Century Costume Modeling at Nevada Museum of Art

Last night I posed for artists at the Nevada Museum of Art's costume painting class. I wore the Revolution Dress I made last year, and dressed my hair in a...
American Duchess
A Revolutionary Ice Cream Social

A Revolutionary Ice Cream Social

This past Sunday a small group of Great Basin Costumers got together to play dress up and eat ice cream. The theme was 18th century, roughly the time between the...
American Duchess
Gaskells Victorian Ball, Norcal Pirate Festival, Red Polonaise

Gaskells Victorian Ball, Norcal Pirate Festival, Red Polonaise

Lady Rebecca and me on the schooner. It was a lovely sail. I was out for a lovely afternoon, but Rebecca was being transported to Barbados to be tried for...
American Duchess
Revolution Dress - Coming to the End...Sortof

Revolution Dress - Coming to the End...Sortof

I've spent all day sewing on the Revolution Dress, for this weekend's festivities, Gaskells Ball and Pirate Faire. The gown is done (yay!). I'm proud of it! Lilly's not wearing...
American Duchess
Revolution Dress - Skirting the Issue

Revolution Dress - Skirting the Issue

The back with the skirts down, no hem yet. So I've been procrastinating on The Revolution Dress because I got kindof stuck with those front rumples, but thanks to all...
American Duchess