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Mme Demorest's Illustrated Portfolio of the Fashions for 1880

Mme Demorest's Illustrated Portfolio of the Fashions for 1880

Last weekend a dear friend, Jenny, gave me an incredible gift - a complete pattern catalog from 1880. I've been studying it with great interest and costume lust, careful to...
American Duchess

Bastille Day Picnic Inspiration

Portrait of Madame Emilie Seriziat and her Son, 1795 I've been MIA lately due to moving, yay! But also nay! because all of my sewing stuff is in complete disarray....
American Duchess
White/Ivory 18th Century Gown Inspiraton

White/Ivory 18th Century Gown Inspiraton

I just received 10 yards of delicious ivory silk taffeta, and I'm just *itching* to make something (or a lot of somethings) out of it. Of course I'm thinking along...
American Duchess
How Wide Should Your 18th Century Panniers Be?

How Wide Should Your 18th Century Panniers Be?

I've set out on the adventure of making a Grand Pannier to wear under voluminous 18th century apparel, and the first question that came to mind is - how wide...
American Duchess
The Many Types of 18th Century Gowns

The Many Types of 18th Century Gowns

I realized today with the 18th century gowns I have made I have only scratched the surface of how many different types there were. It's easy to fall into the...
American Duchess

Problem Solving with Regency Stays

Boobs are such an issue in the Regency. Seriously, they're just in such *weird* places! Naturally, or rather unnaturally, we as costumers want to try to achieve these, um, heights,...
American Duchess
Tagged: Regency Research

What is Osnaburg?

I was pretty stoked recently when I found osnaburg fabric at Walmart, of all places. I bought what was left on the bolt, dreaming of all the awesome interlinings and...
American Duchess
Bright Yellow Regency Gowns

Bright Yellow Regency Gowns

...because there's never enough yellow in my life! I have to admit that Regency isn't my period, so when it came time to look for inspiration for something to wear...
American Duchess
Tagged: Regency Research

Men's Regency Inspiration

I've been a bag blogger, I know! It's just that, well you know how it goes - brain fried with all kinds of in-progress projects, future projects, crazy stuff happening....
American Duchess
Tagged: Regency Research
Beautiful Historical Fans - Please Vote!

Beautiful Historical Fans - Please Vote!

Hello Lovelies! Today I'd like to share with you a number of gorgeous historical fans, and ask your opinion on which you like the most... Fan #1 - The Met,...
American Duchess

18th Century Pattens for Shoes

Bata Shoe Museum - Shoes with clog English, 1710-1730 Pattens. What are pattens, besides really really cool? Pattens were ladies' shoe accessories worn to protect one's fancy shoes, to raise...
American Duchess
V352: New Vintage Shoe Acquisitions

V352: New Vintage Shoe Acquisitions

Well, I've been on eBay entirely too much...again...acquiring vintage and antique footwear for our quickly growing collection. All the shoes I nabbed aren't even here yet, but I wanted to...
American Duchess