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Petticoat Pitfalls for Grand Panniers

Petticoat Pitfalls for Grand Panniers

Well shoot, this didn't work.... Don't you just love when you finish up a project, perhaps the first part of an ensemble, something you've maybe done numerous times before, only...
American Duchess
How to Avoid Lampshade Hoops in the 18th Century

How to Avoid Lampshade Hoops in the 18th Century

It's a thing in the Georgian period too! I've recently started on my next big (physically big), early 18th century project, a Robe Volante. One of the reasons I felt...
American Duchess
1765 Robe a la Bon Bon - Simplicity 8578 - Trimming the Beast

1765 Robe a la Bon Bon - Simplicity 8578 - Trimming the Beast

Cutting strip after strip of pinked trim - the trick is the fold up your fabric three or four layers and cut through all at once. A plain sacque in...
American Duchess
How to Dress 18th Century - 1770 - 1780 Robe a la Polonaise {Video}

How to Dress 18th Century - 1770 - 1780 Robe a la Polonaise {Video}

Howdy! I've been trying to make videos for getting dressed in different decades of the 18th century, since this is quite a visual subject and video is a natural tool...
American Duchess
1720s - 1740s Robe Volante - Initial Musings

1720s - 1740s Robe Volante - Initial Musings

I just can't get enough of 18th century back pleats! The time has come. This one has been brewing for awhile. I have a sortof underdog love for weird garments...
American Duchess
Feet Are Weird {Video}

Feet Are Weird {Video}

Yup, they sure are! In this hopefully very useful and interesting video, Nicole explains all that goes into how shoes fit, and why it's never as simple as just length...
American Duchess
Tagged: Shoes
1765 Robe a la Bon Bon Sacque - Simplicity 8578 - Construction Complete!

1765 Robe a la Bon Bon Sacque - Simplicity 8578 - Construction Complete!

Trying on the new sacque - it's always nice to have something, y'know, fit at its first real try-on. Next time I say something like, "oh I'll just throw this...
American Duchess
Getting Dressed in 18th Century - 1780s - 1790 {Video}

Getting Dressed in 18th Century - 1780s - 1790 {Video}

Let's get dressed! Hi Lovelies! I made a short video showing the steps and pieces of getting dressed in a 1780s Italian gown or Robe a l'Anglaise. I know for...
American Duchess
Pattern Notes on Simplicity 8578 - Robe a la Francaise Dress Pattern

Pattern Notes on Simplicity 8578 - Robe a la Francaise Dress Pattern

A couple years ago now we worked with Simplicity to create a Robe a la Francaise pattern (Simplicity 8578) based on Abby's sacque in The American Duchess Guide to 18th...
What Is a "Hedgehog" Hairstyle *Really*?

What Is a "Hedgehog" Hairstyle *Really*?

A lady sporting the hedgehog hairstyle - 1775-78. Gallerie des Modes, MFA.org 44.1344 It is a truth universally acknowledged that all 18th century historic costumers, when we first start, quickly...
American Duchess
Cake or Death - Marie Antoinette

Cake or Death - Marie Antoinette

I have a new video for you today, the first in a series! I'm quite proud of this, even though it's...weird, and possibly off-color. I hope you enjoy it!
American Duchess
Finished Vintage Dress UFO #2 - Simplicity 3280

Finished Vintage Dress UFO #2 - Simplicity 3280

Simplicity 3280 1939 dress in rayon faille Two weekends, two finished vintage dress UFOs, and I have to say it feels *great* to pick up old projects and finish them!...
American Duchess