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V239: Cassell's Household Guide

There is something so -udderly- wonderful about household guides of the 19th century. And what is even more wonderful is that they are all out of copyright and readily available...
American Duchess

V238: What Is This Style of 18th Century Jacket?

A beautiful image popped up on my Pinterest feed this morning: 1730-60, French manufacture, held in the Digitalt Museum I find this extant ensemble really interesting because, well, it matches....
American Duchess
V234: What Kind of Heel Is That? A Quick Guide to Historical Shoe Heels

V234: What Kind of Heel Is That? A Quick Guide to Historical Shoe Heels

Following yesterday's post about why we no longer have proper French heels on shoes, I thought it would be good to add to and define some of the terminology, and...
American Duchess
V233: The Death of the French Heel

V233: The Death of the French Heel

VandA, 1760-70 Why don't we have killer French heels, the likes of which were *the* heel style for hundreds of years, on shoes these days? Where did they go? Are...
American Duchess

V223: 17th Century Infanta Inspiration

Blargh, I hate being sick. I don't want to sew or do much of anything, really, but it's just so easy to look at pretty pictures....so I'll do some of...
American Duchess
V203: New Dress Design: Robe Royaliste

V203: New Dress Design: Robe Royaliste

I don't have enough 18th century gowns. I have jackets and things, and I do love jackets, but when it comes to full gowns, I have, like, one (soon to...
American Duchess
V200: Redingote Portraits of Win

V200: Redingote Portraits of Win

I love the 1780s and 90s, particularly the mannish styles, like the Redingote. Something about those big collars and buttons, paired with big-ass Gainsborough hats - YUM! Lady in Light...
American Duchess

V191: Matchy - Or Not - Striped 18th Century Gowns

Sometimes it really helps, when you're in the midst of working on a project, to go back and look at reference images, to see how the seamstresses back in the...
American Duchess

V179: More Georgian Jackets ... Decisions, Decisions

I certainly have a love affair with 18th c. jackets. They're just so darned cute! Now I get to decide, yet again, what kind of jacket to make from 2...
American Duchess
V164: Vintage Shoe Ads of 1939-1941

V164: Vintage Shoe Ads of 1939-1941

Oh how I love shoes, particularly vintage 20th century shoes. They make me swoon! Some of you already know I'm working on a couple 1920s and 30s designs for next...
American Duchess

V161: Pretty Victorian Parasols

Happy Saturday. I'm a bit late with this entry because I was away at the Carson City Rendezvous for most of the day, but better late than never. These are...
American Duchess
V160: Progress on My 18th c. Pocket...and Then More Pockets!

V160: Progress on My 18th c. Pocket...and Then More Pockets!

I've been embroidering on and off since early May, on my first Georgian pocket. I originally used a pattern from Costume Close-Up: Clothing Construction and Pattern, 1750-1790, but decided not...
American Duchess