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The 3rd Annual Steampunk Ball of Piper's Opera House, 2013

The 3rd Annual Steampunk Ball of Piper's Opera House, 2013

Liza rockin' her Victorian tail bodice with shorts and amazing stockings This past weekend Chris and I worked our tails off at the 3rd Annual Steampunk Ball up in Virginia...
American Duchess
2013 Costume College, Pt. 3 - The Gala

2013 Costume College, Pt. 3 - The Gala

Merja's Baroque gown OMG. This wasn't her Gala dress, but I needed to include a photo of it anyway. Ready for the last set of pics from Costume College? Well,...
American Duchess
Tavistock Button Boots Steampunk Photoshoot at the Sparks Museum

Tavistock Button Boots Steampunk Photoshoot at the Sparks Museum

It's been *ages* since Chris, Angie, and I did this Victorian / Steampunk photo shoot for Tavistock, featuring the "Green Acres" gown, and, of course, our new black button boots....
American Duchess
1880s Green Acres Gown: Steampunkin' Photo Shoot Preview

1880s Green Acres Gown: Steampunkin' Photo Shoot Preview

Happy Easter! Yesterday was photo shoot day with one of my favorite girls, Angie, wearing one of my favorite gowns, the 1880s giant green bustle dress. I can't wait to...
American Duchess
V363: Semi-Finished Project: The "Green Acres" Bustle Gown

V363: Semi-Finished Project: The "Green Acres" Bustle Gown

I've been a bad blogger, but only because I've been *really* busy trying to get the Green Acres gown done for a local Victorian ball, this past Saturday. I suppose...
American Duchess
V359: "Green Acres" Bustle - Progressing on the Bodice

V359: "Green Acres" Bustle - Progressing on the Bodice

I haven't been sewing consistently, but I have made more progress on the bodice for this giant green bustle dress. It's beginning to look like the end - needs finishing...
American Duchess
V355: Green Acres Bustle Gown Progress

V355: Green Acres Bustle Gown Progress

Little by little this gown is coming together. It's complicated! Please forgive my lack of backdrop - working on a better system! I have all the trims on the skirt...
American Duchess
V345: Finished 1880 "Lobster Tail" Bustle

V345: Finished 1880 "Lobster Tail" Bustle

I finished off my electric blue "lobster tail" tournure this morning, and I'm really happy with the result! I took lots of photos of the construction, so I will write...
American Duchess
V344: And Now To Make a Lobster Tail

V344: And Now To Make a Lobster Tail

...a bustle, I mean, or a tournure. Originally I had planned *not* to make a big ole honkin' bustle, but I can see now why it is a necessity. The...
American Duchess
V340: 1930s Christmas Dress, "Green Acres" Gown Progress, and a Flippin' Button Hook

V340: 1930s Christmas Dress, "Green Acres" Gown Progress, and a Flippin' Button Hook

It's Christmas Eve! Yeeeeeeee! Aside from running around buying last minute gifts and groceries, it's a great day off to get a little sewing in. I finished my 1930s Christmas...
American Duchess
V337: Bustle Decoration Inspiration

V337: Bustle Decoration Inspiration

I've been so bad about blogging recently. So much for 365 straight days of blogging! I will make it to 365, but it won't be by January 1st, haha! Anywho,...
American Duchess
V338: Green Acres Bustle Gown Skirt Progress

V338: Green Acres Bustle Gown Skirt Progress

It's slow going over here in Green Acres, partially due to laziness, and partially due to the omg-howmuchyardage!?-for-trims that comes along with many bustle projects. My original plan for the...
American Duchess