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Early Christmas Gifts, Ubersexlich, All Manner of Update...

Early Christmas Gifts, Ubersexlich, All Manner of Update...

It's been a crazy mid-month, and here's hoping things calm down. Lots of happenings and announcements and other zaniness ahead...First Up - Pogey Bait! Nicole, herself a fantastic seamstress and...
American Duchess
Apocalyptic Costuming and Life

Apocalyptic Costuming and Life

Sometimes things just don't work out. Sometimes NOTHING works out. This makes me very grumpy. Dickens Day Dress? No. New Car? No. Sick dog? Yes. Men's Breeches Toile for James'...
American Duchess
The Great 1840s Madness, and Some 18th c. Toile-ing

The Great 1840s Madness, and Some 18th c. Toile-ing

It feels fantastic to be sewing again, and to be sewing on a tight deadline. I believe in the power of tight deadlines to keep us excited about a project,...
American Duchess
James' :Ubersexlich 18th c. Men's Suit: Sketches

James' :Ubersexlich 18th c. Men's Suit: Sketches

The time has come to begin sketching and designing for James' 18th c. suit. The nice thing about men's fashion in the 18th c. is that while it was flamboyant,...
American Duchess
James' Fantastic 18th Century Suit - Starting Line

James' Fantastic 18th Century Suit - Starting Line

Red wool suit with gold trimming, Kyoto Costume Institute, 1740s It's about time I posted something, yeah? I have a good excuse: this little Duchie has finally found herself a...
American Duchess
Ladies and Gentlemen, The 1795 Barn Owl Robe

Ladies and Gentlemen, The 1795 Barn Owl Robe

The moment at least a handful of you have been waiting for! Last weekend I wore The Owl to Gaskells. I had been planning, crafting, stitching, and wrangling my way...
American Duchess
18th c Barn Owl Costume Madness : Progress at Last

18th c Barn Owl Costume Madness : Progress at Last

Despite my unexpected interstate move from California to Nevada, I have managed to get a little work done on the barn owl costume that I am to wear in, oh,...
American Duchess
1795 Barn Owl Costume: Feathers At Last!

1795 Barn Owl Costume: Feathers At Last!

The half-finished, un-feathered robe has been sitting on the dress form for months with so little love given to it...until TONIGHT. (ok, well technically last night, but y'know...) The base...
American Duchess
The KCI J&G Project: Reference and Mysterious Mysteries

The KCI J&G Project: Reference and Mysterious Mysteries

The main question on my mind as of late has been "What does the jacket do in the back?" Obviously there is an extant, existing garment, yet no one except...
American Duchess
1795 Barn Owl Costume: Don't Think I've Forgotten

1795 Barn Owl Costume: Don't Think I've Forgotten

I'll admit I've been distracted. The half-finished taffeta/broadcloth base of the robe has been sitting on my dress form for weeks, untouched, unloved, but not forgotten. It is the start...
American Duchess
Introducing The KCI Jacket & Gilet (J&G) Project

Introducing The KCI Jacket & Gilet (J&G) Project

There is an ensemble it seems all lady costumers smitten with the 18th c truly covet. It is a work of art in textile, construction, and design, and also an...
American Duchess
Tagged: 18th Century
1790s Jacket: Finished, Worn, Loved

1790s Jacket: Finished, Worn, Loved

That's right, I actually managed to put off finishing my 1790s jacket until the very last possible day, and then completed it just in time, along with an all-purpose quilted...
American Duchess