American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Test Driving "18th Century Hair & Wig Styling - The Book"
As all of you 18th century beauties will already know, Kendra Van Cleave, the intrepid costumier and long-time blogger of Demode, has finally produced a how-to book on authentic 18th...
18th Century Mules in Art
Some of you may be wondering how, when, and where to wear the new "Antoinette" 18th century mules, thinking they look oh-so delicate, and not at all practical for anything....
Glorious 18th Century Mules, and some 19th Century Wanna-Be's
Antoinette mules in French blue Today is the day to celebrate mules, those pretty little backless, heeled slippers that have been gracing the feet of ladies for hundreds of years....
More LACMA Sacque-Ma Progress
Yesterday I was worried that I wasn't going to have enough fabric to do the trimmeries on the LACMA sacque, but today, oddly enough, I think it will all be...
Non-Matching Trim Options for Robes a la Francaise
So as I bimble along on this LACMA-Sacque-ma, diligently cutting out all the many pieces, and saving every little scrap, I'm getting the feeling that I'm not going to have...
LACMA Sacque-ma: Beginning the Robe
I've finally started in earnest on the LACMA Sacque-ma. For a reminder, because it's been too long since I posted about this, here's the original dress: LACMA, 1765 I don't...
Green Gowns of the 18th Century
I have a house full of people here for The Wedding, so forgive me for being quite absent. It's all a bit mad here! So in honor of the Historical...
The Angel Wing Bum, 1785
Save for one tiny bit of stomacher fabric, my wedding gown is DONE! *happy dance* Last week, when sorting out hems and skirt volumes, I decided I needed a new...
Weddingote: The Home Stretch
I'm happy to report that my wedding gown is nearing completion. It's to the point now where I shall tease you with detail shots and save the full "reveal" for...
Weddingote: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Something...
The whole thing, with the skirt not yet trimmed up. Plus dog. I've been in a terrible sewing slump lately, but managed to get a bit done on the wedding...
Introducing New "Cavendish" 18th Century Shoe Buckles
I have a new shiny thing to share with you! I've been working on a new style of buckle for a bit, fashioned after an original pair I found on...
Weddingote: Starting and Progress
Pad stitching on the lapels. After finding all the little flaws and tweaks in my test garment, I decided to not finish it (primarily because of the alarmingly short waist),...