American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Regency Short and Somewhat Transitional Stays
The newt project for Lauren the Silhouettist is a pair of Regency short stays. We first took a look at what's out there, for inspiration: Transitional 1790s (left) and long...
18th c. Sunny Stays Complete
Well here they are! I'm proud of these stays, and I know Lauren the Silhouettist will also love them. Don't squeel about the metal grommets, they'll be covered in threads!...
Costume Analytics: Baroness Crussol's Flamboyant Red Jacket, 1785
Did you miss Costume Analytics? This week we are taking a look at a portrait by Louise-Elisabeth Videe Lebrun, painted in 1785, of the Baroness Crussol. We can tell the...
Boutique: Treasures from the November 2010 Buyer's Trip
Three pairs of beautiful vintage shoes, gloves, figurines, hatpins, teaspoons, more... I spent last weekend down in Sacramento, CA, shopping for interesting things for the Boutique. I feel quite satisfied...
Sunny Stay Continued
I love how sometimes there are projects that just want to be made, and they come together so quickly and precisely, and you just love every minute of it. I...
Birthday Bait - Books, Teacups, and Lady Grey
Sometime last weekend I turned Older. Luckily this aging was softened by fabulous gifties! I am no longer a "one book wonder!" (well, to be fair, I previously had, like,...
Fundraising, and the Casaquin in Action
I wanted to post the couple of photos from last Saturday's fundraiser in which many a costumed lady represented various arts from the past - tatting, crewelwork, drawing, penmanship, quilting,...
Sunny Stays on Winter Days
Sometimes random things pop up, like a quick little project making a delightful pair of yellow and cream striped stays. How could I resist! I have a lovely client, also...
Planned Projects for My 18th c. Ladies
What's in the works here at American Duchess? KCI's embroidered voile Regency gown, plus Janet Arnold's open robe, done up in gleeming red taffeta. Deadline for this is December 18th,...
The Almost-Finished Casaquin Jacket
This little jacket (which ain't so little, turns out) is finally getting finished, and just in time for the fundraiser event on Saturday, where I will be representing an 18th...
Costume Analytics: Marie Antoinette's Celadon Zone-Front Gown
This week on Costume Analytics, we take a look at another of Marie Antoinette's fabulous dresses, from the Sophia Coppola movie . This time it is the beautiful celadon green...
Design Sundays: "Holly Day Dress" on Garmz.com
I thought I'd try my hand at a dress, inspired by both the 18th century and the 1960s. It's a winter party dress, heavy wine-colored satin with nice big pleats...