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LACMA Sacque-Ma: Operation Petti-Pouf

LACMA Sacque-Ma: Operation Petti-Pouf

Thank you to everyone who left incredibly helpful comments on yesterday's petticoat post. Last night I went for it with implementing each of the changes suggested, to see what effect...
American Duchess
LACMA Sacque-ma: The Petticoat, and Why Bigger Isn't Always Better

LACMA Sacque-ma: The Petticoat, and Why Bigger Isn't Always Better

I spent this past weekend toiling on a "simple" petticoat for my first Robe a la Francaise ensemble, inspired by this gorgeous sacque in LACMA: I thought it would be...
American Duchess

My 18th Century "Weddingote"

So....I'm gettin' married. (Woohoo!!) I've been a bit buried in all things wedding, with an additional layer of all things shoes on top, and I realize I totally haven't posted...
American Duchess
White/Ivory 18th Century Gown Inspiraton

White/Ivory 18th Century Gown Inspiraton

I just received 10 yards of delicious ivory silk taffeta, and I'm just *itching* to make something (or a lot of somethings) out of it. Of course I'm thinking along...
American Duchess
Finished Project: 18th Century Grand Panier

Finished Project: 18th Century Grand Panier

And my, what a big panier it is! I purchased the now-out-of-print Simplicity 3635 pattern on eBay a few weeks back. The package contains patterns for stays, pockets, a chemise,...
American Duchess
Behind the Scenes with the "More Than Just A Costume" Gainsborough Photo Shoot

Behind the Scenes with the "More Than Just A Costume" Gainsborough Photo Shoot

Howdy! I've had some questions about the most recent images I created, inspired by Gainsborough's portrait of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, so I'm going to show you a little behind-the-scenes...
American Duchess
Special Event: "Kensington" Black Leather Colonial Shoes Re-Pre-Order

Special Event: "Kensington" Black Leather Colonial Shoes Re-Pre-Order

Hey all! So...we've run out of black Kensingtons. Yep, there are, like, five pairs left. So I thought I'd try something new - a "Re-Pre-Order," to help us raise funds...
American Duchess
Why Make Historical Shoes?

Why Make Historical Shoes?

Lauren W. models a powder blue 1740s riding habit, surrounded by Kensington and Pompadour 18th century shoes This month marks the two year anniversary of starting the Historical Footwear side...
American Duchess
New 18th Century Shoe - Your Opinions Please

New 18th Century Shoe - Your Opinions Please

Howdy! So...I've been working on a new 18th century Colonial shoe about 1700-1770. She's gorgeous, complete with snazzy French heel and white rand, and I'd like your opinion on what...
American Duchess
How Wide Should Your 18th Century Panniers Be?

How Wide Should Your 18th Century Panniers Be?

I've set out on the adventure of making a Grand Pannier to wear under voluminous 18th century apparel, and the first question that came to mind is - how wide...
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

What is Osnaburg?

I was pretty stoked recently when I found osnaburg fabric at Walmart, of all places. I bought what was left on the bolt, dreaming of all the awesome interlinings and...
American Duchess