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Podcast Episode 2: Civil War Mourning with Samantha McCarty

Podcast Episode 2: Civil War Mourning with Samantha McCarty

Hello All! We're excited to announce our "second" episode of Fashion History with American Duchess! Today, we are chatting with the lovely Samantha McCarty of The Couture Courtesan all about...
American Duchess
Introducing our Fall Collection of Historic Shoes - Pre-Orders Open!

Introducing our Fall Collection of Historic Shoes - Pre-Orders Open!

It's a big day! For the first time, we're presenting our entire Fall collection all at once. Intense. This year we have new offerings in several of our historic categories....
American Duchess
1830s Corset Inspiration & Research

1830s Corset Inspiration & Research

Hello Lovelies - So I'm plugging away on my 1830s corset, and all seems to be going to plan...which is good seeing as how when I picked up my needle...
American Duchess
Dipping My Toe Into Uncharted Corsetry

Dipping My Toe Into Uncharted Corsetry

Hello Lovelies! Abby here -- Ok - so my title is not entirely true. I've made an 1800s corset before...hell I've even taught a workshop on how to pattern and...
American Duchess

An 1830s Day Dress for Dickens Fair 2016

Three 1830s gowns in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art You may be thinking, "Dickens Fair is in December, so long away!" and you would be right, but...
American Duchess
New Civil War Boots - Pre-Order Now Open!

New Civil War Boots - Pre-Order Now Open!

It's another pre-order day! I've been trying to go more towards "collections" for Summer and Fall and less all-over-the-place for introducing new shoes for you ladies. With that, I'd like...
American Duchess
Tagged: Shoes Victorian
Review: Hand Bound 18th c. Style Book by Paul McClintock, From Common Hands Studio

Review: Hand Bound 18th c. Style Book by Paul McClintock, From Common Hands Studio

Hand made sketchbook with historic marbled paper cover and tooled leather binding - From Common Hands Studio I recently received a fabulous gift: a hand-made custom blank book from Paul...
American Duchess
What It's Like to Be an Extra on a Historical Documentary, pt.1

What It's Like to Be an Extra on a Historical Documentary, pt.1

This time last year I was cast in a Weather Channel documentary on The Donner Party, filming right here in Northern Nevada where the ordeal took place. Casting It was...
American Duchess

The Problem with "Always" and "Never" in Historical Costuming

Dress - 1864-67 - cotton - The Met < soapbox > Every once in awhile some new statements will pop up in this community that make me balk. These statements...
American Duchess
1880s Wool Ensemble - The Bodice and Finished Outfit

1880s Wool Ensemble - The Bodice and Finished Outfit

1885 Wool and Velveteen Day Dress In the last post about this outfit, I talked about apportioning rulers and how I made the overskirt/apron for this outfit. I promised you...
American Duchess
1880s Wool Ensemble - Apportioning Ruler Adventures

1880s Wool Ensemble - Apportioning Ruler Adventures

I've been slow but steady on the progress of this grey wool and black velvet mid-1880s outfit. It's been about a month of weekends working on it, but I'm proud...
American Duchess
Artifact: Paragon Home Shoe Button Kit

Artifact: Paragon Home Shoe Button Kit

In my journey of studying and recreating old-fashioned footwear, I get to geek out on old technologies re-discovered. I just love the how and why of things: the effect an...
American Duchess