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V131: 1912 Ladies, and Alcatraz

V131: 1912 Ladies, and Alcatraz

Our ship docked at Pier 33, San Francisco Hi again, from the Big Blue! The last two days we've been at port in San Francisco, a city I'm familiar with,...
American Duchess
V130: Catalina Island, 1940

V130: Catalina Island, 1940

First off, this... Now, got that out of the way... I'm currently on a cruise with Lady Carolyn, going up the West Coast of America, into Canada. Carolyn is an...
American Duchess
V123: Instant 1930s Shirt

V123: Instant 1930s Shirt

Back in 1930, in Hollywood, the Hays Code determined what was and was not acceptable to show in a motion picture. Things like profanity, drug trafficking, and childbirth couldn't be...
American Duchess
V111: Costume Painting, Week 2, at Nevada Museum of Art

V111: Costume Painting, Week 2, at Nevada Museum of Art

Last night was the second session of the costume painting open studio at the Nevada Museum of Art. Our model was Jeff, wearing a "Burning Man/Steampunk/Mardi Gras/Carnie/Jester" outfit. It was...
American Duchess

V108: "Downton Sixby," on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

A little while ago I got a call from the costume designer at Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, asking if there was any chance they could get ahold of a...
American Duchess
V104: Costume Painting at Nevada Museum of Art, Class 1

V104: Costume Painting at Nevada Museum of Art, Class 1

Last night was my first class of the costume painting open studio at the Nevada Museum of Art. I have modeled for previous sessions, and it just looked like so...
American Duchess
V99: Happy Easter

V99: Happy Easter

Happy Easter Day, everyone. Here's a creepy vintage Easter image... Now don't you just feel like dressing in a giant egg suit?
American Duchess
V80: Petersham vs. Grosgrain Ribbon

V80: Petersham vs. Grosgrain Ribbon

What is the difference between Petersham and Grosgrain ribbon? Both ribbons are ribbed and have a matte finish, but there is one really big difference, the edge finish. Grosgrain ribbon...
American Duchess

V75: The True Origin of "Mad as a Hatter"

Here's a random bit of trivia for you to pull out at your next Mad Men cocktail party... The Mad Hatter, illustration by John Tenniel , 1865 Where Does the...
American Duchess
V56: 18th Century Costumes from "Versailles: Countdown to Revolution"

V56: 18th Century Costumes from "Versailles: Countdown to Revolution"

I watched a documentary series recently called "Versailles," covering, in three installments, the history of the palace and its monarchs, Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. I was really...
American Duchess
V37: Steampunk School Picture Day

V37: Steampunk School Picture Day

Last Saturday Chris and I spent the afternoon snapping photos of the local Steampunk club, "High Desert Steam." We had access to the Victorian train cars stationed at Victorian Square,...
American Duchess
V11: Sewing Tool Binge Day - Thing You Never Knew You Needed

V11: Sewing Tool Binge Day - Thing You Never Knew You Needed

So .... I might have gone on a bit of a bender at JoAnn's yesterday ... It's Hallie Larkin's fault. Hallie wrote an article on her blog, "At the Sign...
American Duchess