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1760s Robe a la Francaise - Finished + Video!

1760s Robe a la Francaise - Finished + Video!

At last, at last! My Robe a la Bon Bon 1750 - 1770 sacque is complete! I finished this gown a little while back but it's taken me quite some...
American Duchess
1765 Robe a la Bon Bon - Simplicity 8578 - Trimming the Beast

1765 Robe a la Bon Bon - Simplicity 8578 - Trimming the Beast

Cutting strip after strip of pinked trim - the trick is the fold up your fabric three or four layers and cut through all at once. A plain sacque in...
American Duchess
1765 Robe a la Bon Bon Sacque - Simplicity 8578 - Construction Complete!

1765 Robe a la Bon Bon Sacque - Simplicity 8578 - Construction Complete!

Trying on the new sacque - it's always nice to have something, y'know, fit at its first real try-on. Next time I say something like, "oh I'll just throw this...
American Duchess
Pattern Notes on Simplicity 8578 - Robe a la Francaise Dress Pattern

Pattern Notes on Simplicity 8578 - Robe a la Francaise Dress Pattern

A couple years ago now we worked with Simplicity to create a Robe a la Francaise pattern (Simplicity 8578) based on Abby's sacque in The American Duchess Guide to 18th...
What Is a "Hedgehog" Hairstyle *Really*?

What Is a "Hedgehog" Hairstyle *Really*?

A lady sporting the hedgehog hairstyle - 1775-78. Gallerie des Modes, MFA.org 44.1344 It is a truth universally acknowledged that all 18th century historic costumers, when we first start, quickly...
American Duchess
Event Announcement: 18th Century Hair at National Arts Club, NYC

Event Announcement: 18th Century Hair at National Arts Club, NYC

News! Abby and I are back to the incredible National Arts Club in New York City on September 13th, 2019, to do an 18th century hair demo and talk all...
American Duchess
18th Century Hairstyles for Long Hair

18th Century Hairstyles for Long Hair

Jenny's long hair was plenty to go over the ski slope hair cushion. Nearly as often as we receive questions about doing 18th century hairstyles for short hair, we see...
American Duchess
18th Century Hairstyles for Short Hair

18th Century Hairstyles for Short Hair

Nicole's chin-length bob was perfect, if not even a little too long, for the early 1780s crape'd hairstyle once supplemented with a few hair pieces at the back... One of...
American Duchess
#ADBeauty - 18th Century Hats, Caps, Bonnets, and Accessories

#ADBeauty - 18th Century Hats, Caps, Bonnets, and Accessories

Jasmine wearing her Therese hood, a very simple early 1780s accessory It is my belief that one can never have too many 18th century accessories. Hats and caps are essential...
#ADBeauty - 8 Authentic 18th Century Hairstyles!

#ADBeauty - 8 Authentic 18th Century Hairstyles!

Big Hair? Yes you can! Possibly the post you've been truly waiting for, today I'm going to give you some previews of the hairstyles in our next book "The American...
American Duchess
#ADBeauty - 18th Century Cosmetics and Hair Care Products

#ADBeauty - 18th Century Cosmetics and Hair Care Products

Cynthia applied 18th century rouge in The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty. "The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty" is a how-to book broken into what could...
American Duchess
Introducing "The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty"

Introducing "The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty"

We're official one month away from the release of our second book, "The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty" ! This time last year we were sewing, styling, and...
Lauren Stowell