American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
What If I Were, 1850
"What If I Were in California in 1850?" I've been wanting to try a digital recreation of a Daguerreotype for awhile now. They've always fascinated and creeped me out, and...
Concept Sketch for an Irish Ensemble for Gold Rush Days
This coming weekend I will be wreaking havoc and eating candy at Gold Rush Days, one of my favorite events of the year, in Old Sacramento. The original plan was...
Mid-Victorian 1840s-to-1860s ReFashioning
The original, made last year. So you all think I haven't been sewing...and you would be sortof right. Little bits at a time, little projects (that turn into massive projects),...
Costume Fly-By - 1872 AquaPoof
1872, from the Met. Look at all....the...ruffly organza...and...bows...and ruffles...oh my.
Annies Got Their Guns - a Day at the Carson City Rendezvous
After our ride on the stagecoach, which was crazy and fun. We got the last ride of the day, too Yesterday, my lovely mother and I dressed up all perdy-like,...
The Victorian Steampunk Ball ... (If You're In The Reno Area)
If you happen to be in the Northern California or Northern Nevada areas, check out this event. It's going to be *awesome,* and I know that, because I'm part of...
More Tea with Madame X - Progress on The Satan Bodice from Hell
...did I say satan? I meant satin, really. Or is it the same thing... I'm starting with the most recent photo, because I'm too embarrassed to start by showing you...
Tea With Madame X -or- A Start to A Goth-tastic Gown
Last week I put together a "quick and dirty" black satin bustle skirt to wear with my Steampunk outfits, but as all of you know, having a large quantity of...
1880s Bustle Skirt - It's Black, It's Shiny, It's Quick and Dirty
Playing dress up with a pseudo Victorian shirt and a velvet waist cincher A very short time ago I found myself in a predicament, one that involved needing a black...
What Exactly IS a Tea Gown?
Pretty new teacup from Sacramento. There is a tea coming up, to which my Lady Mother and I have been invited, and we're quibbling over what to wear. In our...
A Day in Virginia City, Nevada - The Girls of 1879
On the back stairs of the extremely haunted Old Washoe Club. These stairs were used to usher prostitutes into the upper levels of this building, known as The Millionaire's Club....