American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
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...
1780s Green Half-Boned Stays Finally Completed
I went ahead and finished these, even though I will never wear them. I originally started these for The Revolution Dress, but I cut them too short for my long...
Revolution Dress - About Those Stays
The Dreamstress asked me to share a little about the stays I've been working on. Those extra grommets at the bottom are me messing up. Ignore those, pls. :-) I...
Revolution Dress - Undies!
This is just a quick post on underwear, in all its glory. As you know, I've started this latest 18th c. gown project with the basics, a proper set of...
Starting Small on a Big New 18th c. Project
I finally have a new 18th c. project in mind, yay! I want to make a striped red Robe a l'Anglaise, but to be worn either polonaise'd (verb) or "dans...
1780s Half-Boned Stays
Finished - they close edge-to-edge across my bust, but I also like them open like this - more thrust! See the difference in shape between these and Olympe's? In my...
Olympe's Stays - Complete! Finito! Done!
I finally finished Olympe's lovely cream, goldenrod, and powder blue stays. Finally. FINALLY. It's only taken me FOREVER. They are too small for the smallest setting on my dress form,...
Extant 18th c. Stays from the Marjorie Russell Clothing and Textile Museum, Nevada
A little while ago I attended a fascinating lecture on underwear through the ages, presented by Jan the Costume Anthropologist at the Marjorie Russell Clothing and Textile Research Center. While...
Olympe's Stays - More Progress
Not too much exciting to show you, just some progress on Olympe's creme and goldenrod stays. Both sides are fully boned, with the grommets punched into the fronts, backs, and...
Corsets Corsets Everywhere!
Happy New Year everyone! It's been madness here in terms of stay-making. I've got Olympe's final pair in-progress, all the boning channels stitched, with one side boned. A close up...
The Jane Austen Maxi Bra Complete
Regency underwear....I wouldn't call it "pretty," really. It was definitely designed for a utilitarian purpose rather than, uh, anything else. (this is just my opinion of course). That being said,...
18th c. Sunny Stays Complete
Well here they are! I'm proud of these stays, and I know Lauren the Silhouettist will also love them. Don't squeel about the metal grommets, they'll be covered in threads!...