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V128: Interview with Laurie Tavan, "Daze of Laur" Couture

V128: Interview with Laurie Tavan, "Daze of Laur" Couture

Today's interview is with a fantastic seamstress, Laurie Tavan, who creates incredible historical garments and custom corsets. Her attention to detail and skill in design and technique are second to...
American Duchess
V127: Costumer's Link Love

V127: Costumer's Link Love

Here are some costume blogs I've found recently, and really enjoy. I hope you enjoy them too!: A Lady of Fashion The Mended Soul Today's Dandy Serendipitous Stitchery The Button...
American Duchess
Tagged: Vintage365
V126: A Colonial Williamsburg Pocket for Colonial Williamsburg

V126: A Colonial Williamsburg Pocket for Colonial Williamsburg

I'm about to leave on a West Coast cruise for eight days and I thought I'd take along some embroidery. I'm not much of an embroiderer, but it interests me,...
American Duchess
V125: Costume Painting, Week 4, Tudor Peasant Girl

V125: Costume Painting, Week 4, Tudor Peasant Girl

Here is my painting from last night's historical costume painting class. We had a lovely model dressed as a Tudor peasant. The white shirt and head wrap gave me a...
American Duchess
Tagged: Vintage365
V124: How to Measure Your Footsies and Find Your Correct Shoe Size

V124: How to Measure Your Footsies and Find Your Correct Shoe Size

Hi all! I made a video to show you how to measure your foot and find your proper shoe size. This includes both the length and the width measurements associated...
American Duchess
V123: Instant 1930s Shirt

V123: Instant 1930s Shirt

Back in 1930, in Hollywood, the Hays Code determined what was and was not acceptable to show in a motion picture. Things like profanity, drug trafficking, and childbirth couldn't be...
American Duchess
V122: Beginnings of a Polonaise Jacket

V122: Beginnings of a Polonaise Jacket

Gallerie des Modes, 1780. Dames a la Mode on Tumblr I've finally settled on a design for one of my Colonial Williamsburg pieces - a polonaise jacket, inspired by a...
American Duchess
V120: 1912 Titanic Ball, Hair Stylings

V120: 1912 Titanic Ball, Hair Stylings

I just got back from The Other Side of the Mountains (Californialand), and my trip down to Gaskells Victorian Ball. It was an amazing evening, full of beautiful 1912 gowns...
American Duchess
V121: "The Unsinkables" at Gaskells Titanic Ball

V121: "The Unsinkables" at Gaskells Titanic Ball

As promised, here are a few photos from Gaskells Ball last Saturday, with our "Unsinkables" group of lovely-attired ladies. I had a fabulous time, and got to see so many...
American Duchess

V119: Are Sequins Period Accurate?

The Met: toque (hat), 1915 The short answer is YES! I've heard this question come up a couple of times, in regard to using sequins on our Titanic gowns. Sequins...
V118: Costume Painting 3 -Scantily Clad Carolyn

V118: Costume Painting 3 -Scantily Clad Carolyn

Last night was class #3 of Costume Painting at the Nevada Museum of Art. Carolyn modeled for us, in her Victorian skivvies. I'm not totally happy with this painting, except...
American Duchess

V117: Book Review: "Couture Sewing Techniques" by Claire B. Schaeffer

Couture Sewing Techniques Claire B. Shaeffer (c) 2011 by Claire B. Shaeffer ISBN 978-1-60085-335-7 A great many of us are self-taught seamstresses. We come equipped with a suite of sewing...
American Duchess