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V232: Velvet Patches for 18th Century Dress Up, by Ruby Raven

V232: Velvet Patches for 18th Century Dress Up, by Ruby Raven

Hi Ladies! Whilst visiting Costume College, a lovely lady, The Ruby Raven, gifted me with a delightful little box of velvet patches, or "mouches," the kind ladies would stick to...
American Duchess
V231: Indienne Chintz a la Waverly Window Curtains, 1780s

V231: Indienne Chintz a la Waverly Window Curtains, 1780s

Good 18th century style Indienne print chintz can be hard to find. For some reason, rambling, graphic florals, in a limited color palette, on a white or light ground aren't...
American Duchess
V230: Small Biz Betties: When Are You a "Professional?"

V230: Small Biz Betties: When Are You a "Professional?"

Hi again! Welcome to this week's Small Biz Betties, where I'll be waxing poetical on how to know when you have taken the leap and become a "professional" in your...
American Duchess
V228: New "Valois" Shoe Buckles

V228: New "Valois" Shoe Buckles

Finally, after forever in development, we've got the Valois buckles for your Kensington shoes. Chris is doing official product photos right now, so here's a preview of how the new...
American Duchess
Tagged: Shoes Vintage365
V229: Analyzing Hedgehog Hairstyles

V229: Analyzing Hedgehog Hairstyles

I am always on a quest to achieve bigger, better 18th century hair styles. Some hairstyles are super complicated, like the poufs of the 1770s. Some appear to be more...
American Duchess
V227: American Duchess Silks Stockings Are Dyeable, Yay!

V227: American Duchess Silks Stockings Are Dyeable, Yay!

Great news! For those of you who were asking, I did a little test yesterday, on a sample pair of our new silk stockings, to see if they would take...
American Duchess

V226: Advertisement Fans, or Fans of Advertising?

I ran across this cool advertisement fan on Bobby Pin Blog awhile back, and thought it was a nifty idea... Advertisements on fans seem to have been pretty common in...
American Duchess
V225: Starting the 1790s "Robe Royaliste"

V225: Starting the 1790s "Robe Royaliste"

Before Costume College, I was making plans for a new 1790s gown in purple taffeta, called the "Robe Royaliste." I decided on a chemise style like the lovely green/gold gown...
American Duchess

V223: 17th Century Infanta Inspiration

Blargh, I hate being sick. I don't want to sew or do much of anything, really, but it's just so easy to look at pretty pictures....so I'll do some of...
American Duchess
V222: "Miss Nevada" 1890s Vaudeville Secret Gala Costume

V222: "Miss Nevada" 1890s Vaudeville Secret Gala Costume

I'm terrible at keeping secrets, but managed to not make a peep about my "super-secret Costume College Gala costume" for the greater part of a year. All the Northern Nevada...
American Duchess
V220: The Parisian Gown - Finished!

V220: The Parisian Gown - Finished!

Despite all the trouble this gown gave me, I'm so happy with how it turned out! I certainly learned many a lesson about fabric choice, sleeve construction, and general patterning....
American Duchess
V218: Costume College 2012: Time Traveler's Gala

V218: Costume College 2012: Time Traveler's Gala

The Gala at Costume College is overwhelmingly awesome. Everybody turns out with the most dazzling, stunning, out-of-this-world costumery you can imagine. Here are a few snaps I took tonight... Yay...
American Duchess