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Baroque-Orama: Lace Reform, Etc.

Baroque-Orama: Lace Reform, Etc.

I've done so much hand-sewing today that my wrist hurts and I have to stop! I don't wanna stop!! This morning, being clear, bright, and only minorly breezy, I undertook...
American Duchess
Going Baroque: Progress Bit-by-Bit

Going Baroque: Progress Bit-by-Bit

I could say that this is going slowly and tediously, but each piece is exciting to me! Last night I stitched on another piece of the satin bodice covering, and...
American Duchess
Going Baroque - The Danger of Satin, and a Tale of One Sleeve

Going Baroque - The Danger of Satin, and a Tale of One Sleeve

This 1660s bodice is coming together in bits and pieces, in no particular order, with no particular sense, yet is somehow coming out alright. I've run out of bones, but...
American Duchess
Going Baroque: De-Bling-ification

Going Baroque: De-Bling-ification

That's just TOO MUCH BLING! Yesterday I acquired my trim, 8 yards of stiff, shiny, blingy silver goodness, about 2" wide...but unfortunately blisteringly, blindingly blingy. Too much bling - baroque...
American Duchess
Going Baroque : Patterning Extravaganza

Going Baroque : Patterning Extravaganza

Ah, the joyous process of draping and drafting. There is nothing quite like developing a pattern from nothing, finding the shapes, getting the exact fit. I don't claim to be...
American Duchess
Going Baroque - The Guts of the Beast

Going Baroque - The Guts of the Beast

So excited about this costume am I that I spent tonight sewing the lining (simple white muslin) and the interlining (canvas) together and beginning my boning channels, to make the...
American Duchess
Adventures in the Forgotten Century - American Duchess Goes Baroque

Adventures in the Forgotten Century - American Duchess Goes Baroque

There comes a time in every girly costumer's seamstressing career when she wants a pink polonaise, a huge, fluffy, crispy, pink taffeta 18th century polonaise. She salivates over the mere...
American Duchess
1940 Floral Summer Dress - Progress

1940 Floral Summer Dress - Progress

As promised, progress photos on the 1940 dress, done up in brown floral cotton shirting, and using a vintage 1940 Simplicity pattern belonging to my grandmother. The wonderful thing about...
American Duchess
Pattern for Smartness - 1940s Sewing Inspiration

Pattern for Smartness - 1940s Sewing Inspiration

I clicked through to this video from la Chatelaine Chocolat's blog, so we have her to thank for the link. I'm enthralled by this little video put out in 1948,...
American Duchess
Tagged: How-To Miscellany
Plans: Vintage Summer Dresses, 2010

Plans: Vintage Summer Dresses, 2010

As the massive project of James' 18th c. suit draws to a close, I have much to think about of where I want to go next. With the weather beginning...
American Duchess
Tagged: Vintage
The Little Business of Ribbon Cockades

The Little Business of Ribbon Cockades

I enjoy making these WAY too much. So much, in fact, that I went to the fabric store and came home with, uh, 11 rolls of grosgrain ribbon. Whoops! I'm...
American Duchess
Tagged: Miscellany
A Few 18th c. Style Fabrics You Should Know About...

A Few 18th c. Style Fabrics You Should Know About...

I've been scouring all my favorite web-haunts for fabrics from which to make my summer dresses. In the search, I've come across some really gorgeous batistes, lawns, and voiles that...
American Duchess
Tagged: 18th Century