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V335: eBay Find of the Year: Antique Button Boots...That FIT!

V335: eBay Find of the Year: Antique Button Boots...That FIT!

In my recent eBay haunting, I've collected a number of interesting items - a leather punch, a cast iron fluting iron, two early Victorian slippers, and a pair of Edwardian...
American Duchess
V333: Precious Things: Early 19th Century Slippers

V333: Precious Things: Early 19th Century Slippers

I've been spending way too much time on eBay, building the American Duchess Historical Footwear collection ... out of real historic footwear! My latest acquisitions ... This single shoe is...
American Duchess
V332: New Project: Giant "Green Acres" Bustle Gown

V332: New Project: Giant "Green Acres" Bustle Gown

I am suffering from severe CADD (Costume A.D.D.) lately. My '30s plaid Christmas dress sits on the mannequin, nearly complete, but with the arrival of a giant roll of green...
American Duchess
V330: Shoes to Get Excited About in 2013

V330: Shoes to Get Excited About in 2013

Two thousand and twelve is drawing to a close, but that brings excitement for the coming year! I have already been designing and planning my little heart out, and researching...
American Duchess
V327: "Tavistock" Button Boots - Pre-Order Now Open

V327: "Tavistock" Button Boots - Pre-Order Now Open

Go order yours at www.American-Duchess.com
American Duchess
V326: Elastic Goring in Victorian Footwear

V326: Elastic Goring in Victorian Footwear

Hello Lovelies! Today I'm going to tell you about the magical world of elastic, as used in Victorian footwear, one because it's fascinating, but also because there have been some...
American Duchess
V325: Introducing "Tavistock" Authentic Victorian Button Boots

V325: Introducing "Tavistock" Authentic Victorian Button Boots

...and it's about time! I am so excited to finally be able to release for pre-order our first boot, and indeed the only completely authentic Victorian button boot available! Tavistock...
American Duchess
V322: Another Day at Dickens Christmas Fair, San Francisco

V322: Another Day at Dickens Christmas Fair, San Francisco

I'm back from S.F. now, but here are some photos from our second day at Dickens... Maggie's puffy puff-butt in the morning. I found this endlessly amusing. Maggie's costume was...
American Duchess
V321: An Excursion to The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

V321: An Excursion to The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

Hi all! I'm down in San Francisco land with a whole wad of my favorite people, not least among them The Laced Angel, and Serendipitous Stitchery, the latter of which...
American Duchess
V298: Costumes For Sale

V298: Costumes For Sale

I'm clearing out some space-takers in my Costume Closet, available in my Etsy shop. Here's what's on offer today... 1790s Gaulle. Drop-Front, made 2012 as a mock-up for another gown....
American Duchess
V295: Victorian Plastic - Yes, Victorian; Yes, Plastic

V295: Victorian Plastic - Yes, Victorian; Yes, Plastic

Ever since learning about plastic injection molding of the 1870s, I've been gnawing on the idea of Victorian plastics. It seems like an oxymoron - we all know plastic is...
American Duchess
V296: Victorian Christmas...Stuff

V296: Victorian Christmas...Stuff

With the holidays looming, it's time to think about what the heck to wear for all the fun Victorian Christmas events. I've been spending 2012 building up my 18th century...
American Duchess