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Costume Analytics: Marie Antoinette's Dove Grey Riding Habit

Costume Analytics: Marie Antoinette's Dove Grey Riding Habit

Welcome to "Costume Analytics," where we take a close look (or as close as possible) at scintillating costume pieces from portraits, movies, and museums, and break down what they're made...
American Duchess
Stays - Olympe's Test Stays Complete

Stays - Olympe's Test Stays Complete

I've learned SO much while working on these stays, and much shall change in the final pattern. They're to be mailed off to Olympe today, for a fitting, and we'll...
American Duchess
Staycation - More Progress on Olympe's Test Stays

Staycation - More Progress on Olympe's Test Stays

The tabs on the right are bound, but not on the left. Also to come - eyelets, bindings, and ribbons for the straps. Some more progress on the test stays...
American Duchess
Cranach and Holbein and Durer, Oh My...

Cranach and Holbein and Durer, Oh My...

"Judith Victorious" Cranach, c 1530 Something I'm thinking about, but I'm not *sure* about right now. I've had an itch, a tiny only mildly itchy itch, for some years now,...
American Duchess
Staying Put - Olympe's Test Stays, and Moving

Staying Put - Olympe's Test Stays, and Moving

More work on the test garment that will help me fit Olympe's stays. I've installed all the boning as well as the grommets (to be covered in threads in the...
American Duchess

Happy Autumn from American Duchess

In honor of the turn of seasons, enjoy this autumnal new background from ShabbyBlogs.com. And just for extra Autumy celebratory entertainment, here's a poll: What is your favorite period for...
American Duchess
Tagged: Events
Olympe's Stays - Mock-Up Progress

Olympe's Stays - Mock-Up Progress

The blue line at the waist indicates where an additional tab will be cut, after installing the bones. Ah, lovely progress on Olympe's stays this evening - well, the mock-up...
American Duchess
Olympe's Stays - Overnight Stay

Olympe's Stays - Overnight Stay

The boning channels, stuffed. I should have taken more care to cut the peach jacquard in a way more, well, thought through, but as a mock-up garment it was not...
American Duchess

The Problem With Sewing for Other People

This is a blog, a place where I can post my dress progress, what's going on in my life, what I'm working on, places I'm going...and also a space in...
American Duchess
Tagged: Shoes
The Stays That Bind: Olympe's 18th c. Stays

The Stays That Bind: Olympe's 18th c. Stays

Starting a new project, a pair of stays, a commission for Olympe. Olympe's materials - cream jacquard, yellow linen, and the stays shall be interlined in canvas They will lace...
American Duchess
18th Century Notebook

18th Century Notebook

This just in, from Demode (which means most of you already know about this): The 18th Century Notebook A vast and huge consolidation of 18th c. clothing from across the...
American Duchess
Tagged: Research
Happy Friday

Happy Friday

Happy Friday to my international sewing, seamstering, and seriously silly pals! And if it's not Friday where you are anymore, then happy Saturday. Either way, have a cupcake :-).
American Duchess
Tagged: Miscellany