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V363: Semi-Finished Project: The "Green Acres" Bustle Gown

V363: Semi-Finished Project: The "Green Acres" Bustle Gown

I've been a bad blogger, but only because I've been *really* busy trying to get the Green Acres gown done for a local Victorian ball, this past Saturday. I suppose...
American Duchess

V361: Corset Training - Facing Questions and Issues

Hi! I've been wearing my corset now for 7 days, and within even this short amount of time, I have learned quite a lot about corseting, and also been asking...
American Duchess
V359: "Green Acres" Bustle - Progressing on the Bodice

V359: "Green Acres" Bustle - Progressing on the Bodice

I haven't been sewing consistently, but I have made more progress on the bodice for this giant green bustle dress. It's beginning to look like the end - needs finishing...
American Duchess
V356: A Few More Antique and Vintage Shoes

V356: A Few More Antique and Vintage Shoes

Well, here I am again to show you more historic shoes from my rapidly growing collection.... Wedding Slippers, 1870s. These are a perfect example of an 1870s slipper. They have...
American Duchess
V355: Green Acres Bustle Gown Progress

V355: Green Acres Bustle Gown Progress

Little by little this gown is coming together. It's complicated! Please forgive my lack of backdrop - working on a better system! I have all the trims on the skirt...
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

V347: Shoes of the 1860s-1880s

I'm still plugging away on my 2012 "Vintage 365" project, ha! I want to share my new costume-related New Years Resolution with you, but I can't until I'm done with...
American Duchess
V346: How to Make a Victorian Bustle - Pattern and Instructions

V346: How to Make a Victorian Bustle - Pattern and Instructions

Hi all! Okay, I'm going to attempt to explain how to make the lobster tail bustle I posted about last time. I want to stress that there is no right...
American Duchess
V345: Finished 1880 "Lobster Tail" Bustle

V345: Finished 1880 "Lobster Tail" Bustle

I finished off my electric blue "lobster tail" tournure this morning, and I'm really happy with the result! I took lots of photos of the construction, so I will write...
American Duchess
V344: And Now To Make a Lobster Tail

V344: And Now To Make a Lobster Tail

...a bustle, I mean, or a tournure. Originally I had planned *not* to make a big ole honkin' bustle, but I can see now why it is a necessity. The...
American Duchess
V338: Green Acres Bustle Gown Skirt Progress

V338: Green Acres Bustle Gown Skirt Progress

It's slow going over here in Green Acres, partially due to laziness, and partially due to the omg-howmuchyardage!?-for-trims that comes along with many bustle projects. My original plan for the...
American Duchess
V336: The Geneva Hand Fluter - Experiments

V336: The Geneva Hand Fluter - Experiments

Last to arrive from my round of eBay acquisition was the Geneva Hand Fluter, a ridged iron that was used to flute, or crimp, all kinds of things, like cuffs,...
American Duchess