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2017 - Costuming Year in Review

2017 - Costuming Year in Review

Jane Austen Festival, 2017. Photo by Tony Tumbusch. It's that time - that year-end-year-beginning-blog-post time. This year I feel I was a terrible blogger. One of the side effects of...
CORRECTION - 1780s Cap Pattern - American Duchess Guide

CORRECTION - 1780s Cap Pattern - American Duchess Guide

Hi gals! We've been alerted to a flaw in the 1780s cap pattern from "The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking," so before you all tear your pomaded-and-powdered hair...
American Duchess
{Video} Wherein Lauren & Abby Get Racked

{Video} Wherein Lauren & Abby Get Racked

...or Racked gets Lauren'd & Abby'd. ;-) In early December, Abby and I took our annual trip to New York City to do *all the things.* One of the things...
American Duchess
A New 1780s CandyStripe Italian Gown

A New 1780s CandyStripe Italian Gown

Italian gown - The Met - 1785-87 C.I.66.39a-b Well, I just can't stay away from the late 18th century (can you blame me?). There is just so much to be...
American Duchess
The Robe a la Turque - Part 4 - The Kurdi Polonaise

The Robe a la Turque - Part 4 - The Kurdi Polonaise

The last major piece of my take on Guimard's 1790 Turkish stage costume was the fabulous fur-trimmed blue robe. I pondered over this piece for a long time, trying to...
American Duchess
Simplicity 8578 and 8579 - TWO new 18th Century Patterns!

Simplicity 8578 and 8579 - TWO new 18th Century Patterns!

Ladies, we are SO excited to finally announce two new 18th century American Duchess patterns from Simplicity! Simplicity 8578 is the Robe a la Francaise (Sacque) and petticoat and Simplicity...
American Duchess
New! "Forget Me Not" 18th Century Shoe Buckles

New! "Forget Me Not" 18th Century Shoe Buckles

Hi All! We're thrilled to announce that Kimberly Walters of Sign of the Gray Horse has created another gorgeous shoe buckle design! Copied off an original in a private collection,...
American Duchess
Tagged: Shoes
What to Do When Someone Else is Making the Same Dress As You...

What to Do When Someone Else is Making the Same Dress As You...

(....or has made the same dress...) Do it anyway! I've recently been eyeballing the 1660 bodice from the V&A, remembering how much I love the 1660s and that I've only...
American Duchess
American Duchess SALE!

American Duchess SALE!

It's all you need to know. Just kidding, here's what you need to know... First... www.AmericanDuchess.com is the place. Then... 20% OFF Classics: Londoner (tan) - Our gorgeous Edwardian oxfords...
American Duchess
Tagged: Sale
BOOK RELEASE: The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking

BOOK RELEASE: The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking

Today's the big day! Our book, The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking: How to Handsew Georgian Gowns and Wear The with Style has officially been released! While you...
American Duchess
NEW! Special Edition "Dunmore" 18th c. Shoes in Red/White

NEW! Special Edition "Dunmore" 18th c. Shoes in Red/White

This year, we've created a special shoe to coincide with the launch of our new book, The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking. The idea came about from the...
American Duchess
Podcast Episode 13: Flappers, Fringe, and Fashion with Zoë Beery

Podcast Episode 13: Flappers, Fringe, and Fashion with Zoë Beery

Nope. Hi All! This week on Fashion History with American Duchess we speak with the amazing Zoë Beery, a writer for Racked, about her article on how flappers didn't wear...
American Duchess