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Introducing: The Isabella MacTavish Fraser Wedding Gown Project

Introducing: The Isabella MacTavish Fraser Wedding Gown Project

The famous Isabella MacTavish Fraser wedding gown c. 1785. Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon. Reproduced with permission of Inverness Museum & Art Gallery Big news! We've been hinting at it for...
Lauren Stowell
Should You Always Wear a Bum Pad for 18th Century Dress?

Should You Always Wear a Bum Pad for 18th Century Dress?

The split bum, perfect for 1776 - 1790s, worn with polonaise and Italian gowns. This is particularly effective for gowns with the skirts pulled up. From the American Duchess Guide....
Lauren Stowell
Ikea Costuming 101 - Making Historical Gowns with Duvet Covers, Curtains, and Sheets

Ikea Costuming 101 - Making Historical Gowns with Duvet Covers, Curtains, and Sheets

The Italian Gown from "The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking" was made with one LJUSÖGA Queen size duvet cover from Ikea. Accurate printed cottons are very difficult to...
1780-81 Glasgow Polo-Sacque Fiddling

1780-81 Glasgow Polo-Sacque Fiddling

Progress! This past weekend I made a lot of good progress on my version of the 1780 - 1781 Polonaise-Sacque Jacket. I am always so very chuffed by how quickly...
Lauren Stowell
Where to Buy American Duchess Shoes in Europe

Where to Buy American Duchess Shoes in Europe

https://americanduchess.eu/ UPDATE - November 2021 It's taken us a decade or so, but we FINALLY have a European website! Huzzah! If you are in the EU or non-EU member state...
Lauren Stowell
Tagged: Shoes
Making A Start: The 1780-81 Glasgow Polo-Sacque Jacket Progress

Making A Start: The 1780-81 Glasgow Polo-Sacque Jacket Progress

A quick mockup - feeling excited! At last, and for the first time in 2019, I am sitting down to sew something! The first four months of this year have...
Lauren Stowell
A Little History of ... Hamilton / Schuyler 18th Century Shoes

A Little History of ... Hamilton / Schuyler 18th Century Shoes

New American Duchess "Hamilton" / "Schuyler" 18th Century Shoes for men and women. Next in our line up of new men's (+ women's) styles are the beautiful "Hamilton" (mens) /...
Lauren Stowell
Meet our New Theatrical Footwear Line!

Meet our New Theatrical Footwear Line!

American Duchess Spring/Summer 2019 Theatrical Line We are trying lots of new things this year in shoe-company-land. For years we have (rather unexpectedly) supplied historical footwear to the opera, ballet,...
Lauren Stowell
A Little History of...Albert / Bertie Regency Pumps

A Little History of...Albert / Bertie Regency Pumps

Zack Pinsent for American Duchess This season we're very excited to launch our new men's styles....which are also women's styles! One of our most basic and versatile styles is the...
Lauren Stowell
Pre-Order is Open at American Duchess

Pre-Order is Open at American Duchess

Pre-Order is OPEN at AmericanDuchess.com April 18 - May 10 Wow, where do we even start! There is so much new stuff this season! You won't want to miss these!...
Lauren Stowell
How to Scale Up Gridded Sewing Patterns with Adobe Photoshop

How to Scale Up Gridded Sewing Patterns with Adobe Photoshop

If you've been into historical costuming for any amount of time, you will be familiar with many a book featuring gridded (or scaled) sewing patterns. The Tudor Tailor, Patterns of...
Lauren Stowell
SALE! It's Spring Cleaning Time!

SALE! It's Spring Cleaning Time!

Woo! It's our annual Spring Cleaning Sale! We have many beautiful styles coming into bloom for you this season. Check out these deals... Amelie - $75 ($120) - These beautiful...
Lauren Stowell
Tagged: Shoes