Filter by
Dipping My Toe Into Uncharted Corsetry

Dipping My Toe Into Uncharted Corsetry

Hello Lovelies! Abby here -- Ok - so my title is not entirely true. I've made an 1800s corset before...hell I've even taught a workshop on how to pattern and...
American Duchess
How to Use a Victorian Button Hook - Video!

How to Use a Victorian Button Hook - Video!

Those of you who costume for mid-Victorian through Great War will be familiar with side-buttoning boots. They're iconic and beautiful, but can be a little tricky to get closed if...
American Duchess
My New Victorian Corset by Anachronism in Action

My New Victorian Corset by Anachronism in Action

Over my years of historical costuming, I've learned enough about corsetry to know I know nothing. This is engineering to a T, with bust-to-waist ratios, shaping, materials knowledge and use,...
American Duchess
"Bronte" Victorian Slippers & "Highbury" Regency Slippers - Pre-Order Open!

"Bronte" Victorian Slippers & "Highbury" Regency Slippers - Pre-Order Open!

I'm a little late to the game here on the blog, but better late than never! If you follow us on Facebook or Twitter, you'll already know the new early...
American Duchess
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Bonhams
American Duchess
Early Victorian Slippers (to Get Excited About)

Early Victorian Slippers (to Get Excited About)

Women's slippers, c. 1850 - LACMA Today's post is all about slippers worn c. 1820s - 1850s (so a little pre-Victorian). Surprisingly ladies shoes remained fairly unchanged during this time....
American Duchess
Hard Lessons in Victorian Corset Making - My "Duh" Moments...

Hard Lessons in Victorian Corset Making - My "Duh" Moments...

Left side - boning, strength additions, and padding. I still have wrinkling, but it's better than it was.Right side - no boning, no strength layers, no padding. I can make...
American Duchess
My First 1830s Dress - Complete!

My First 1830s Dress - Complete!

I managed to finish something! It feels so good, considering the *pile* of started, half-finished, nearly-finished, and will-never-be-finished costume bits & bobs I have cluttering up my desk and all...
American Duchess
Options for 1830s Headgear

Options for 1830s Headgear

This coming weekend is the first time I'll take the red 1830s dress out for a spin (assuming I :::cough::: finish it :::cough:::), and while I had grand plans to...
American Duchess
Adventures in the 1830s - For Real This Time

Adventures in the 1830s - For Real This Time

The Met, 1835 I've been wanting to make an 1830s dress for a long time now, but haven't actually, y'know, done it. Until now. I can't really account for how...
American Duchess
My Annual Sewing Rut

My Annual Sewing Rut

Once again, I have absolutely no motivation to make a single stitch of anything lately. I've learned that this is quite normal, and that if I force the issue I'll...

Happy Valentine's Day!

...here's a pink dress... LACMA, 1830 It's a dress I'm madly in love with. It's the kind of painful sort of love that makes me want to attempt to make...
American Duchess