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1790s Striped Jacket - progress!

1790s Striped Jacket - progress!

Oh hey, look what I found...I walked into my local Hancock Fabrics this past Saturday, pleased with the huge "50% OFF!" banner hung on the outside of the building, and...
American Duchess
18th c. Wigs of Glory: Addition and Subtraction

18th c. Wigs of Glory: Addition and Subtraction

It has taken me way too many days of experimentation, failing, purchasing, more experimenting, and attempting to film it all, to get this wig together and in a state of...
American Duchess
Measure Twice: Preparing For Costume Creation

Measure Twice: Preparing For Costume Creation

One day you're surfing the internet, enjoying your favorite dress diaries, when BAM! it hits you. There on your screen is an image of a dress, a jacket, a bodice,...
American Duchess
Depressionistas: Costume Incarnations

Depressionistas: Costume Incarnations

What is one way to save literally barrels full of cash on your out-of-control costuming habit? Remodel, revamp, reuse, recycle, and refurbish your old gowns into brand new ones!Remodeling gowns...
American Duchess
Tagged: Miscellany
Festival of Feathers: Let the Madness Begin

Festival of Feathers: Let the Madness Begin

Good thing I put that linen toile together for this robe, otherwise I'd be 100% lost. Instead, I'm only 60% lost! Every tiny thing is a challenge. I realized, once...
American Duchess
The Directoire Depressionista: Costuming & the Economy

The Directoire Depressionista: Costuming & the Economy

The Guilt of the FeathersSitting amidst my piles of rooster feathers, I come to realize that I feel guilty about the purchase of them. The desire to create the most...
American Duchess
Tagged: Miscellany
Wolfie and Woffington Give a Nod to Lil' Duchie

Wolfie and Woffington Give a Nod to Lil' Duchie

Finally I have returned from work-related duties in Atlanta, Georgia, and have been greeted by such a wonderful surprise! The Celebrated Mrs. Woffington, a wonderful 18th c. blog, has awarded...
American Duchess
Tagged: Miscellany
"Sewing Drought"

"Sewing Drought"

So happy was I to receive my feathers and fabrics this past weekend...until I remembered that I won't be able to work on the costume at all for the next...
American Duchess
Tagged: Miscellany
OhGawdFeathers: Enter the Schlappen

OhGawdFeathers: Enter the Schlappen

I get to have a goofy title for this entry because quite frankly, this is all nuts. I received my feathers this past weekend, a great big plastic bag full...
American Duchess
How To Bleach Feathers...

How To Bleach Feathers...

...or "Changing Birds in Mid-Stream."As you all know by now, I have been amassing to me a legion of feathers for the Halloween barn owl costume. The rooster schlappen has...
American Duchess
Guts: 1790s Wrap-Front Gown Details

Guts: 1790s Wrap-Front Gown Details

I was very bad throughout the construction of the voile roundgown, and didn't take nearly enough photos nor update this blog on the gown's construction. My excuse is that I...
American Duchess
Using the Binding Presser Foot You Don't Have...

Using the Binding Presser Foot You Don't Have...

...And Can't Get For Your Machine.I was full of glee today when I discovered such a thing as a binding presser foot for home sewing machines. Visions of perfectly machine...
American Duchess
Tagged: How-To Miscellany