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1860s Purple People Eater - Finished, Just Barely! and the Magic of Gored Skirts

1860s Purple People Eater - Finished, Just Barely! and the Magic of Gored Skirts

This past Tuesday I was in a mad rush to finish the day version of my 1860s purple gown, just in time for the tree lighting ceremony downtown. This was...
American Duchess
Review: "Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern Cutting From Tudor to Victorian Times"

Review: "Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern Cutting From Tudor to Victorian Times"

Title: Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern cutting from Tudor to Victorian times by Elizabeth Friendship (c) Batsford 2013 ISBN: 0896762858 $21.00 - $26.00 Every once in awhile there comes a book...
American Duchess
Weddingote: Draping and Testing

Weddingote: Draping and Testing

Now that Costume College has come and gone, it's time to focus seriously on my wedding gown, which is to be worn in two months time. I'm going to share...
American Duchess
In Progress: Late 16th Century Doublet

In Progress: Late 16th Century Doublet

Every once in awhile I go meandering off into other centuries. My love of costuming started with Elizabethan, and it is still a period I adore, though I seldom costume...
American Duchess
1959 Derby Day Dress - Simplicity 3063

1959 Derby Day Dress - Simplicity 3063

Yesterday was our Great Basin Costume Society's "Fancy Fillies Derby Day Tea," where bunches of eccentric people got together, wore weird clothes, and watched some horse race... Hehe <3 The...
American Duchess
Starting a "Simple" 1912 Day Dress

Starting a "Simple" 1912 Day Dress

I've got a case of Costume ADD! My squirrely brain has landed on this "quick and easy" 1912 daytime tea dress. I thought I would just throw it together...ha...haha...HAHAHA. I...
American Duchess
V225: Starting the 1790s "Robe Royaliste"

V225: Starting the 1790s "Robe Royaliste"

Before Costume College, I was making plans for a new 1790s gown in purple taffeta, called the "Robe Royaliste." I decided on a chemise style like the lovely green/gold gown...
American Duchess
V189: Beginning a Robe a l'Anglaise a la Polonaise

V189: Beginning a Robe a l'Anglaise a la Polonaise

I've been procrastinating on, well, everything costume-related, and with Costume College a mere month away, it's time to get down to business with this striped gown. My material - I...
V185: The Polonaise Jacket of Doom and Hell

V185: The Polonaise Jacket of Doom and Hell

Du...Du Hast...Du Hast Mich You know those projects that just don't want to be made, and give you trouble all the way through to the violent end? This is one...
American Duchess
V156: A Start to The Billinghurst Stays, 17??

V156: A Start to The Billinghurst Stays, 17??

Rather awhile ago I shared with you some photos of a very interesting, atypical pair of 18th century stays held in our local costume and textile collection. There was much...
American Duchess
V122: Beginnings of a Polonaise Jacket

V122: Beginnings of a Polonaise Jacket

Gallerie des Modes, 1780. Dames a la Mode on Tumblr I've finally settled on a design for one of my Colonial Williamsburg pieces - a polonaise jacket, inspired by a...
American Duchess

V87: Period Piecery - Elizabethan Cabbage

I started on a new Elizabethan ladies' doublet the other night, and to make a long story short, it didn't fit. I thought I had traced the pattern - Margo...
American Duchess