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1765 Robe a la Bon Bon - Progress on the Gown

1765 Robe a la Bon Bon - Progress on the Gown

The sacque back is looking swell I've been sewing on-and-off on my new sacque for a few weeks now. I only have the weekends to fiddle these days, but luckily...
American Duchess
1760s Robe a la Bon Bon - The Petticoat

1760s Robe a la Bon Bon - The Petticoat

Finished sacque petticoat over pocket hoops I've been steadily progressing on my new sacque, using the Simplicity 8578 Robe a la Francaise pattern we released December 2017. Since I already...
A *New* 1760s Robe a la Bon Bon (or Sacque-a-Macarons?)

A *New* 1760s Robe a la Bon Bon (or Sacque-a-Macarons?)

I have a confession to make. I admit to feeling quite jealous whenever I see Abby dressed in the pink and white 1768 sacque from The American Duchess Guide. To...
American Duchess
2017 - Costuming Year in Review

2017 - Costuming Year in Review

Jane Austen Festival, 2017. Photo by Tony Tumbusch. It's that time - that year-end-year-beginning-blog-post time. This year I feel I was a terrible blogger. One of the side effects of...
CORRECTION - 1780s Cap Pattern - American Duchess Guide

CORRECTION - 1780s Cap Pattern - American Duchess Guide

Hi gals! We've been alerted to a flaw in the 1780s cap pattern from "The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking," so before you all tear your pomaded-and-powdered hair...
American Duchess
{Video} Wherein Lauren & Abby Get Racked

{Video} Wherein Lauren & Abby Get Racked

...or Racked gets Lauren'd & Abby'd. ;-) In early December, Abby and I took our annual trip to New York City to do *all the things.* One of the things...
American Duchess
Simplicity 8578 and 8579 - TWO new 18th Century Patterns!

Simplicity 8578 and 8579 - TWO new 18th Century Patterns!

Ladies, we are SO excited to finally announce two new 18th century American Duchess patterns from Simplicity! Simplicity 8578 is the Robe a la Francaise (Sacque) and petticoat and Simplicity...
American Duchess
BOOK RELEASE: The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking

BOOK RELEASE: The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking

Today's the big day! Our book, The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking: How to Handsew Georgian Gowns and Wear The with Style has officially been released! While you...
American Duchess
NEW! Special Edition "Dunmore" 18th c. Shoes in Red/White

NEW! Special Edition "Dunmore" 18th c. Shoes in Red/White

This year, we've created a special shoe to coincide with the launch of our new book, The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking. The idea came about from the...
American Duchess
The American Duchess Guide: Behind the Scenes With The 1760s Sacque Gown {Video}

The American Duchess Guide: Behind the Scenes With The 1760s Sacque Gown {Video}

Our c. 1768 sacque gown created for The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking, made for and modeled by Abby Cox. You can create this or your own creative...
American Duchess
The American Duchess Guide - Previews!

The American Duchess Guide - Previews!

Lovelies, we are so excited to finally be able to give you all a sneak preview and some behind-the-scenes info on our upcoming book, The American Duchess Guide to 18th...
American Duchess
The "Jane Austen Goes to Ikea and then to Jane Austen Festival" Gown

The "Jane Austen Goes to Ikea and then to Jane Austen Festival" Gown

This year was my first visit to Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, at beautiful Locust Grove historic site. I had been to Locust Grove before on a rainy November...
American Duchess