American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Taking Stock: Project Updates and Plans
American Duchess has undergone a change in location: I have moved from California to Nevada, and all of my things (and I mean ALL) are currently stacked haphazardly in a...
A Pogey Weekend
Two words best describe my adventures last Sunday: "Pogey" and "Bait."If you are unfamiliar with Pogey Bait, please take a stroll over to the Dreamstress, and read about it. There...
Congratulations Avi, Cutest Crafting Pet!
Congratulations to Avi, Taiwan Dog Extraordinaire, who won The Dreamstress' "Cutest Crafting Pet Competition!"Avi won a box full of all kinds of goodies - a bag of pineapple lumps (have...
18th c Barn Owl Costume Madness : Progress at Last
Despite my unexpected interstate move from California to Nevada, I have managed to get a little work done on the barn owl costume that I am to wear in, oh,...
Cold-Weather Couture for the Chilly 18th c. Lady
Someone looks coooollldddd. It's cold outside. Really cold. Really wet. Really windy.It can safely be assumed that back in the 18th c it was also cold, wet, and windy, particularly...
ATTN: Northern Nevada Costumers
I'm not sure how many of you lovely ladies who follow AmDuch are anywhere even remotely close to Reno, but who knows! If you are one of those elusive Reno...
John Galliano's 18th Century Pannier Revival
Someone's been in the 18th century bubbly...with a side of pierogi. It's John Galliano, one of the leading high fashion designers in the world. His Spring 2009 collection blended heavy...
The Language of the Fan
It might very well be impossible to be a costumer and not have heard of "The Language of the Fan." It's like Latin - we all know it existed, but...
The Pretty Picture: Blogging For Costumers
Anyone who has turned to the vast power of the interwebs has learned that there are myriad Dress Diaries, Journals, and Costuming Blogs out there ready to help you learn...
All Tied Up: Surviving The Day in a Corset
We in this modern age, this 21st century, are witness to a strange and fascinating phenomenon - women having the desire to wear hot, heavy, and restrictive clothing outside, in...
1795 Barn Owl Costume: Feathers At Last!
The half-finished, un-feathered robe has been sitting on the dress form for months with so little love given to it...until TONIGHT. (ok, well technically last night, but y'know...) The base...
Stiff Canine/Kitty Crafting Competition
A competition for the cutest crafting pet/sewing helper/general furry costuming menace, over at The Dreamstress. Now, I won't try to sway your vote or anything....just sayin'...that's a Robe a L'Anglaise...