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21 Gift Ideas for the Historical Costumer

21 Gift Ideas for the Historical Costumer

Gosh, are you ready for the holidays? If you're wondering what to get for the historical costumer in your life...or you need to gently hint to someone about what *you*...
American Duchess
Preview Pages from the Bellas Hess 1917-18 Winter Catalogue

Preview Pages from the Bellas Hess 1917-18 Winter Catalogue

I recently received a number of vintage and antique catalogs, from my good friend Lady Carolyn. Most of them - Delineators, McCalls, Bella Hess - are in very fragile condition,...
American Duchess
What to Wear to Costume College 2014

What to Wear to Costume College 2014

This year I didn't kill myself with insanity-sewing for Costume College. I realized I had more than enough costumes to choose from, and way too much in my work schedule,...
American Duchess
Dinner At The Parlor

Dinner At The Parlor

This weekend, I took an impromptu trip to the Bay Area to see beloved friends. And then there was food, wine, and Cards Against Humanity. The official vintage-costume-party is actually...
American Duchess
Tagged: Miscellany
The Reno Tweed Ride: Inspiration

The Reno Tweed Ride: Inspiration

Coming up in June, our local Steampunk group is hosting the first Reno Tweed Ride, wherein a lot of nutters dress up in, well, tweed, and ride bicycles through Downtown...
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...
Celebrating Renoir - The Artist

Celebrating Renoir - The Artist

In the Garden, 1885 I haven't been doing much (any) sewing since I got back from Williamsburg, so I don't have much (any) to show in that department. Instead I'd...
American Duchess
Elizabethan Costume Modeling at Nevada Museum of Art

Elizabethan Costume Modeling at Nevada Museum of Art

This past weekend I modeled again for the painting class at the Nevada Museum of Art. It's quite an enjoyable experience, even though sitting still for 3 hours is difficult....
American Duchess
My Costuming Year in Review - 2013

My Costuming Year in Review - 2013

The very last day of 2013 is a good time to look back, as so many of us have been doing this past week. Here are the costumes I made...
American Duchess
Tagged: Miscellany
Announcing the American Duchess "Winter Wonderland" Photo Contest

Announcing the American Duchess "Winter Wonderland" Photo Contest

Hey everyone! Tomorrow begins our first official Photo Contest on Facebook! The theme is loosely "winter wonderland" - starting tomorrow, click on the "Photo Contest" tab under our cover photo,...
American Duchess
Turning Over A New (Silk) Leaf

Turning Over A New (Silk) Leaf

This 17th c. gown is one I'd like to re-make, in silk satin, so I'm going to sell this version on Every once in awhile there comes a time when...
American Duchess
Tagged: Miscellany
My October Wedding Inspiration

My October Wedding Inspiration

Via In ten days is my wedding. The dress is nearing completion. The florist, the caterer, the photographers, the decor, all of that is lined up. The leaves are turning,...
American Duchess