American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
V59: New "Kensington" 18th Century Leather Shoes in Black and Red
Last week I asked you all for your help in deciding what color Kensingtons to release first. All three colors (black, red, and ivory) are the goal, but we just...
V58: The Tim Gunn Petticoat of Suck
I thought I'd experiment with matelesse fabric, a recommendation from a couple lovely readers, to get the whitework/quilted look. Unfortunately I bought too little, because I clearly had my dunce...
V57: Mardi Gras / Carnevale 18th Century Costume + Hair
I'm wearing tea-stained Georgiana silk shoes and Dauphine buckles - they were comfy, and didn't scuff or get dirty at all. Last night I went to a belated Mardis Gras...
V56: 18th Century Costumes from "Versailles: Countdown to Revolution"
I watched a documentary series recently called "Versailles," covering, in three installments, the history of the palace and its monarchs, Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. I was really...
V55: New "Kensington" 18th Century Leather Shoes - Vote For Your Favorite Color
Hi Ladies! Once again I need your help, this time in deciding on colors for the new leather colonial shoe, "Kensington." Kensington is a sturdy 100% leather shoe with a...
V54: How To Create A Simple 18th Century Pouf
A few nights ago I dressed my hair into a simple 1770s pouf style, for modeling at the Nevada Museum of Art. I did this style using one hair piece...
V53: 18th Century Costume Modeling at Nevada Museum of Art
Last night I posed for artists at the Nevada Museum of Art's costume painting class. I wore the Revolution Dress I made last year, and dressed my hair in a...
V52: 1770s Pannier Experiments - Style 1
In poking around the 1770s it becomes obvious that panniers are the thing to wear. I've never made panniers before - I usually land in the 1780s and 90s, when...
V49: 18th Century Quilted Petticoats
I am thinking of quilting a petticoat. My mom thinks that's insane, but it really seems doable, even for an inpatient girl like me. The quilted petticoats in the Colonial...
V43: 18th Century Experiments in Hair, and New $6 Neckerchief
Last night I spent hours...HOURS...working on Edwardian hair styles, but I discovered that I needed more switches and hair pieces (today's work), before attempting any more of those styles. I...
V36: SuperStripe Sunday - Stripes in the 1770s
Met It's Superbowl Sunday here in America Land. I don't follow football, so I'll be burying myself in the sewing loft and trying to accomplish something on the 1912 Titanic...
V35: Starting on Fabric Stamping for Colonial Williamsburg
Yesterday I thought I'd try my hand at stamping the linen/cotton I bought for one of my Colonial Williamsburg jackets. I don't have a ginormous fabric stretcher thing, so I...