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Abby's Austen Fest Dinner Dress

Abby's Austen Fest Dinner Dress

Hey All! Abby here! As some of you know, Lauren & I will be attending Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, KY this July (soo excited to go home for business!...
American Duchess
The 1790s "Jane Austen Goes to Ikea" Gown - The Corset

The 1790s "Jane Austen Goes to Ikea" Gown - The Corset

Ikea does it again - Ingmarie curtains >> This year is 1790s year. After completing all the book projects, Abby and I can finally settle into share-able projects. Both of...
Lauren Stowell
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

Finding Inspiration in the 1790s with Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun

Self Portrait by Vigee-Lebrun, 1791 Those of you who have been following for awhile will know I'm not a huge fan of, well, anything with an empire waist. I just...
American Duchess

Loose and Lovely 1790s Locks

Costume College is fast approaching, and while I think I've burnt out on trying to get everything done, I *did* fully finish the 1790s Chintz gown. When I started this...
American Duchess
1790s Chintz Gown - The Home Stretch

1790s Chintz Gown - The Home Stretch

It's that time of year - that special time just before That Big Annual Costume Event when the mad "must-get-it-all-done!" sewing commences. I wonder why I do this to myself:...
American Duchess
1790s Chintz Gown - More Fiddling

1790s Chintz Gown - More Fiddling

I've been stitching along on this 1790s chintz gown, little by little, fiddle by fiddle. My apologies for these terrible photos - someday I will find my camera's battery charger...
American Duchess
1790s Chintz Gown - In Progress

1790s Chintz Gown - In Progress

A few days back I got the bee in my bonnet to start sewing on this 1790s chintz gown, inspired by the Museum of London gown everyone loves so much:...
American Duchess
Curtain-Along Dress #2: 1790s

Curtain-Along Dress #2: 1790s

Last year, I joined Festive Attyre's "Curtain-Along" sewing event, when I fell in love with the Waverly "Felicite" curtains from Lowes, and made my favorite dress ever, the 1780 Indienne...
American Duchess

1790s Musings and Inspirations

I'm back to square one with what to wear to Maggie's wedding in October. (Nevermind my own wedding, I've got that one figured out, haha) My ORANGE! sari dress just...no,...
American Duchess
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
V247: Making a 1790s Gainsborough Hat

V247: Making a 1790s Gainsborough Hat

Yesterday I made a Gainsborough hat to go with the new purple 1790s "Robe Royaliste". I researched many a fine fashion plate from Dames a la Mode, and raided the...
American Duchess