American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Costume Analytics: 1780s Casaquin Jacket
This week on Costume Analytics we are taking a look at an extant garment from the 1780s. This little jacket is known as a "casaquin," a short jacket usually pleated...
Costume Analytics: 1770-80 Chintz Caraco & Petticoat
This week on Costume Analytics, we'll be looking at everyone's favorite caraco-petticoat ensemble, from the V&A. A beautiful example of a matching jacket and skirt, this English ensemble is made...
Costume Analytics: Marie Antoinette's Dove Grey Riding Habit
Welcome to "Costume Analytics," where we take a close look (or as close as possible) at scintillating costume pieces from portraits, movies, and museums, and break down what they're made...
Stays - Olympe's Test Stays Complete
I've learned SO much while working on these stays, and much shall change in the final pattern. They're to be mailed off to Olympe today, for a fitting, and we'll...
Staycation - More Progress on Olympe's Test Stays
The tabs on the right are bound, but not on the left. Also to come - eyelets, bindings, and ribbons for the straps. Some more progress on the test stays...
Staying Put - Olympe's Test Stays, and Moving
More work on the test garment that will help me fit Olympe's stays. I've installed all the boning as well as the grommets (to be covered in threads in the...
Olympe's Stays - Mock-Up Progress
The blue line at the waist indicates where an additional tab will be cut, after installing the bones. Ah, lovely progress on Olympe's stays this evening - well, the mock-up...
Olympe's Stays - Overnight Stay
The boning channels, stuffed. I should have taken more care to cut the peach jacquard in a way more, well, thought through, but as a mock-up garment it was not...
The Stays That Bind: Olympe's 18th c. Stays
Starting a new project, a pair of stays, a commission for Olympe. Olympe's materials - cream jacquard, yellow linen, and the stays shall be interlined in canvas They will lace...
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A Few 18th c. Style Fabrics You Should Know About...
I've been scouring all my favorite web-haunts for fabrics from which to make my summer dresses. In the search, I've come across some really gorgeous batistes, lawns, and voiles that...
How To Make 18th c. Cockades
by Lauren Reeser Cockades are so cool. They add so much interest and texture to a hat, pinned to a jacket, even tied onto your shoes. So here's how to...