American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
V33: Only Death and Taxes, in the 18th century
I have done absolutely nothing costume-related in the past couple of days, and that is because I've started my 2011 taxes. /groan. 'Course, taxes in the 18th century were a...
V32: Guest Post @ The Dreamstress, and Pierrot Jackets
One of my favorite pierrots - from The Met Today I am a guest blogger for The Dreamstress. I wrote a little article about Pierrot jackets, one of my favorite...
V31: Book Review: "18th Century Embroidery Techniques" by Gail Marsh
18th Century Embroidery Techniques Gail Marsh (c) 2006 by Gail Marsh ISBN 978-1-86108-476-7 There comes a time in every 18th century costumer's career when embroidery seems like a good idea....
V30: An Embroidered Apron - My First Williamsburg Piece
I was pleased to receive my vintage embroidered panel in the mail the other day, but it needed some tweaks. Firstly, it was dirty and smelled of vintage. (You know...
V29: Fabrics for Colonial Williamsburg...Again.
Oh, the best laid plans of seamstresses.... I went shopping for fabrics today and came across the perfect stripe silk for my future Colonial Williamsburg polonaise. It looked at me...
V26: 18th Century Panniers - examples and ideas
Trouvais.com I've been thinking about panniers lately. Pocket hoops. Hip padding. For an upper class impression, it looks like a little side hoop action was still en vogue for the...
V25: More Fabric Stamp News, and Astoria Pre-Sale Update
Hi Ladies and Laddies, After posting about the fabric stamps yesterday, they arrived in the mail, and I immediately played with them to see how they looked. I'm so very...
V24: Block Printing 18th Century Fabric - Preparations
After much deliberation and many very helpful comments, I revised my Colonial Williamsburg mix n' match plans: Now the two jackets will be in prints, and the two skirts and...
V23: 18th Century Accessories - Embroidered Aprons
Lewis Walpole Library Despite working on a 1912 Titanic gown currently, and having several other projects lined up before I need to start on the Colonial Williamsburg stuff, I just...
V7: Williamsburg Mix n' Match, and Finding Fabric
Before I run off in a different direction, I will post one more time about my Colonial Williamsburg plans. Since the trip is planned for October, I have quite a...
V6: Favorite Yellow Things of the 18th Century
I decided yesterday to make my Williamsburg jacket and petticoat in bright-ass yellow, a color that was extremely popular in the 18th century. With the boom of all-things-Chinese and far-East...
V5: Williamsburg Ensemble #1 Plan
Something like this...but...flouncier. Thanks to all of you who commented on my first post about my Williamsburg costume conundrum, especially Abby, Nicole, and Hallie, I have come upon a plan....