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An 1833-ish Dickens Fair Gown!

An 1833-ish Dickens Fair Gown!

#goals I have had an inexplicable love affair with the early 1830s for many years now, but it's never been satiated....until NOW! This year, our Gigot Girl Gang™ is headed...
American Duchess

Vlog: The 1830s Bustle!

Howdy! We're deep, deep down the #1830s rabbit hole, working diligently on our gowns with much haste in preparation for our trip to Dickens Fair in San Francisco on December...
American Duchess
Book Review: The Workwoman's Guide by A Lady, 1838

Book Review: The Workwoman's Guide by A Lady, 1838

Hey there you lovely costuming creatures, you! As many of you know, Lauren and I are currently up to our eyeballs in all things 1830s. Yep, we're both busy ladies...
American Duchess
A Little History of "Eliza" Early Victorian Shoes

A Little History of "Eliza" Early Victorian Shoes

American Duchess "Eliza" Early Victorian Oxfords in brown Today in our "little history" post I'll give you some background on our new split-vamp oxford "Eliza." The idea for the "Eliza"...
American Duchess
What I've Learned About the 1830s in 2.75 Days

What I've Learned About the 1830s in 2.75 Days

Dress, c. 1835 - FIDM Though I have less and less time to devote to making historical costumes these days (ironically, but such is running two footwear companies), I still...
American Duchess
A Late Date with the 1830s

A Late Date with the 1830s

Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum, 1835. Is it finally time to venture into the 1830s? I've talked about it for years; I've seen my friends do incredible 1830s gowns and even...
American Duchess
1830s Corset Inspiration & Research

1830s Corset Inspiration & Research

Hello Lovelies - So I'm plugging away on my 1830s corset, and all seems to be going to plan...which is good seeing as how when I picked up my needle...
American Duchess
Dipping My Toe Into Uncharted Corsetry

Dipping My Toe Into Uncharted Corsetry

Hello Lovelies! Abby here -- Ok - so my title is not entirely true. I've made an 1800s corset before...hell I've even taught a workshop on how to pattern and...
American Duchess

An 1830s Day Dress for Dickens Fair 2016

Three 1830s gowns in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art You may be thinking, "Dickens Fair is in December, so long away!" and you would be right, but...
American Duchess
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Bonhams
American Duchess
Early Victorian Slippers (to Get Excited About)

Early Victorian Slippers (to Get Excited About)

Women's slippers, c. 1850 - LACMA Today's post is all about slippers worn c. 1820s - 1850s (so a little pre-Victorian). Surprisingly ladies shoes remained fairly unchanged during this time....
American Duchess
My First 1830s Dress - Complete!

My First 1830s Dress - Complete!

I managed to finish something! It feels so good, considering the *pile* of started, half-finished, nearly-finished, and will-never-be-finished costume bits & bobs I have cluttering up my desk and all...
American Duchess