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V64: My Grandmother's Birthday

Happy Sunday! Today my Grandmama is 88 years old. I'm off to go and have a visit with her, before resuming my regularly scheduled petticoat sew-a-thon.
American Duchess

V63: Georgian Miniature Portraits

Mrs Oakeley, by John Smart, 1780s Happy Saturday! Here are a few 18th century miniatures, a lovely little (literally) art form that began life in the 16th century, and was...
American Duchess
V62: The Hairstylings of Madame de Pompadour, by Legros de Rumigny

V62: The Hairstylings of Madame de Pompadour, by Legros de Rumigny

Lovely reader Ceselha, of the blog "My Stubby Fingers..." pointed me to two books on ladies' hairstyling, from 1768, entitled " L'Art de la Coeffure des Dames Francoises," and a...
American Duchess

V61: Favorite 18th Century Shoe Buckles

If you own pair of latchet shoes, eventually you will own a pair of shoe buckles to close them. Shoe buckles were the standard way of fastening one's footwear in...
American Duchess
V60: 1770s Hair Notes

V60: 1770s Hair Notes

Today's post is a page out of my dress journal. I went through a great many images, a lot of them fashion plates, and broke down the various parts of...
American Duchess
V59: New "Kensington" 18th Century Leather Shoes in Black and Red

V59: New "Kensington" 18th Century Leather Shoes in Black and Red

Last week I asked you all for your help in deciding what color Kensingtons to release first. All three colors (black, red, and ivory) are the goal, but we just...
American Duchess
V58: The Tim Gunn Petticoat of Suck

V58: The Tim Gunn Petticoat of Suck

I thought I'd experiment with matelesse fabric, a recommendation from a couple lovely readers, to get the whitework/quilted look. Unfortunately I bought too little, because I clearly had my dunce...
American Duchess
V57: Mardi Gras / Carnevale 18th Century Costume + Hair

V57: Mardi Gras / Carnevale 18th Century Costume + Hair

I'm wearing tea-stained Georgiana silk shoes and Dauphine buckles - they were comfy, and didn't scuff or get dirty at all. Last night I went to a belated Mardis Gras...
American Duchess
V56: 18th Century Costumes from "Versailles: Countdown to Revolution"

V56: 18th Century Costumes from "Versailles: Countdown to Revolution"

I watched a documentary series recently called "Versailles," covering, in three installments, the history of the palace and its monarchs, Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. I was really...
American Duchess
V55: New "Kensington" 18th Century Leather Shoes - Vote For Your Favorite Color

V55: New "Kensington" 18th Century Leather Shoes - Vote For Your Favorite Color

Hi Ladies! Once again I need your help, this time in deciding on colors for the new leather colonial shoe, "Kensington." Kensington is a sturdy 100% leather shoe with a...
American Duchess
V54: How To Create A Simple 18th Century Pouf

V54: How To Create A Simple 18th Century Pouf

A few nights ago I dressed my hair into a simple 1770s pouf style, for modeling at the Nevada Museum of Art. I did this style using one hair piece...
American Duchess
V53: 18th Century Costume Modeling at Nevada Museum of Art

V53: 18th Century Costume Modeling at Nevada Museum of Art

Last night I posed for artists at the Nevada Museum of Art's costume painting class. I wore the Revolution Dress I made last year, and dressed my hair in a...
American Duchess