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The Eternal Sunshine of the 18th Century Gown

The Eternal Sunshine of the 18th Century Gown

This year at Costume College it really was all very, very yellow This year I kindof copped out at the Costume College Gala...but in a very Georgian way. I can't...
Jane Austen Festival, 2018

Jane Austen Festival, 2018

Maggie, Abby, and Nicole looking gorgeous at Jane Austen Festival, 2018 Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, marks the center point of the year. This event always takes place in...
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
The Green Goblin: A 1790s Round Gown

The Green Goblin: A 1790s Round Gown

The remainder.... It's a few days before Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, and I've stitched the last stitch of a new gown for this year's event. And what a...
American Duchess
What Are Those Knobbles on 1790s Stays?

What Are Those Knobbles on 1790s Stays?

From "Corsets and Crinolines" by Norah Waugh - see those nobbles? What are those nobbles for? Read on... Have you ever wondered about those weird round knobbles and pads on...
American Duchess
A Little History of "Mansfield" Regency Riding Boots

A Little History of "Mansfield" Regency Riding Boots

Howdy! Today on our "little history" posts, I'll be giving you some background on our wonderfully exciting new late 18th century and Regency era riding boots. Oh yes, I said...
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 Robe a la Turque - Part 4 - The Kurdi Polonaise

The Robe a la Turque - Part 4 - The Kurdi Polonaise

The last major piece of my take on Guimard's 1790 Turkish stage costume was the fabulous fur-trimmed blue robe. I pondered over this piece for a long time, trying to...
American Duchess
The Robe a la Turque - Part 3 - Shalwar Puffy Pants

The Robe a la Turque - Part 3 - Shalwar Puffy Pants

Before I forget about all the trials and tribulations (and sometimes fun) I had making my Turkish costume for Costume College 2017, I better tell you about one of the...
American Duchess
Jane Austen Festival in Pictures

Jane Austen Festival in Pictures

How remiss am I in sharing photos, proper photos, from the Jane Austen Festival. So remiss! In fact, when I opened up this draft post to see how far I'd...
American Duchess
Abby's Jane Austen Fest Dinner Dress - Done!

Abby's Jane Austen Fest Dinner Dress - Done!

Hello Lovelies! Abby here and I am in full "July has been full of travel and awesome but now I need a nap nap" mode over here at American Duchess...
American Duchess
Abby's Jane Austen Fest Dinner Dress - a Lesson in Plan B...or...C?

Abby's Jane Austen Fest Dinner Dress - a Lesson in Plan B...or...C?

Hey Lovelies -- So the last time I blogged about my Jane Austen Fest Dinner Dress I was totally jiving on this idea of making a tunic and turbany/chiffonettey thing...
American Duchess