American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
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*...
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,...
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,...
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...
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...
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
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...
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....
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...
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,...
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...
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,...