American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
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...
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...
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...
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*?
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...
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...
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...
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...
#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!
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...
#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...
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...