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American Duchess & Royal Vintage Winter Sales!

American Duchess & Royal Vintage Winter Sales!

Here's the official announcement: All sorts of things are on sale: Lots of our regular line marked down, such as Virginia, Antoinette, Tissot, and more Imperfects, while they last Dead...
American Duchess
Tagged: Shoes
1930s Velvet Evening Gown Inspiration

1930s Velvet Evening Gown Inspiration

To get right to it, I have about two weeks to make my Christmas Party dress. This year it's green and it's velvet, and it's all the fault of these...
American Duchess
A Real 1920s Lady...Woman...Nun?

A Real 1920s Lady...Woman...Nun?

Can't call this a flapper dress! Remember that part in "Chicago" where Roxy doesn't want to wear the demure dress to court because it's so frumpy? Yup, that's this dress...
American Duchess
Tagged: 1920s Vintage
A 1930s "Bonnie & Clyde" Sweater Blouse

A 1930s "Bonnie & Clyde" Sweater Blouse

Another adventure in sewing knits - I'm hooked, now! I've got my wooly nylon thread, my ballpoint needles, and a goodly dose of foolhardiness. Sorting through my vintage sweaters board...
American Duchess
All About the New 16th c. "Tudor" Exclusives

All About the New 16th c. "Tudor" Exclusives

It's been *ages* in prototyping the new Tudor shoes, but they're finally done! This has been an interesting project, one with many challenges. The first was sorting out the design....
American Duchess
Retro-cycling Modern Sweaters to Make Vintage Sweaters

Retro-cycling Modern Sweaters to Make Vintage Sweaters

Rocket Originals UK - reproduction patterned sweater in claret. I'm sweater obsessed at the moment. It might be that it's November and snowing outside (yay!), but it's also because ready-made...
American Duchess
Tagged: Knitwear Vintage
So You Think You Can't Sew Vintage Knitwear....

So You Think You Can't Sew Vintage Knitwear....

Well I'm here to tell you you can! To sound a bit cheesy I'll say "if I can do it, you can too," but that is absolutely true - I...
American Duchess
My New Victorian Corset by Anachronism in Action

My New Victorian Corset by Anachronism in Action

Over my years of historical costuming, I've learned enough about corsetry to know I know nothing. This is engineering to a T, with bust-to-waist ratios, shaping, materials knowledge and use,...
American Duchess
Oxblood Stratford Elizabethan Shoes ON SALE

Oxblood Stratford Elizabethan Shoes ON SALE

I know many of you have been patiently waiting, so here's the official announcement: Oxblood Stratford Elizabethan Shoes are on SALE at www.AmericanDuchess.com We have a new shipment of oxblood...
American Duchess
Tagged: Sale
How to Add Shaped Pockets to Pants and Skirts

How to Add Shaped Pockets to Pants and Skirts

Pockets. We need them. We put things in them. They keep our hands warm. They're conspicuous in their absence on pants, and a pleasure when included in skirts. Quite a...
American Duchess
Tagged: How-To
An Easy Thrifted and Me-Made 1930s Fall Outfit

An Easy Thrifted and Me-Made 1930s Fall Outfit

With so many fanciful gowns from various centuries lingering in my closet, 20th century items just feel like normal clothes now. Which is great! Sure, I wear my share of...
American Duchess
Tagged: 1930s
8 Easy Historical Halloween Costume Ideas

8 Easy Historical Halloween Costume Ideas

It's nearly Halloween time, and I'm sure you're all thinking about (or working feverishly on) your costumes! Halloween can be a weird time for historical costumers. We costume all year...
American Duchess
Tagged: Miscellany