American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Introducing the New "Georgiana" 18th Century Shoes, And How to Dye Them Perfectly
Today, after years of re-development, I'm happy to announce that "Georgiana" 18th century shoes have returned! "Georgiana" was the first American Duchess shoe style ever, but after we sold out...
My New Old WWI Blouse
Last month, directly after our annual Titanic Tea, I went a-hunting on eBay and found this lovely blouse. I'm sure with more research I could date this to a more...
A New 1950s Dress for Me
I managed to sew something...or...*finish* something, I should say. Yippee! A simple dress with a figure-skimming, yet relaxed, fit. I needed a quick-and-easy project to get me excited about costuming...
The Reno Tweed Ride: Inspiration
Coming up in June, our local Steampunk group is hosting the first Reno Tweed Ride, wherein a lot of nutters dress up in, well, tweed, and ride bicycles through Downtown...
An Original "Astoria" Edwardian Shoe Restored
A little while ago, our wonderful customer Deb found an original "Astoria" shoe languishing in an antique shop. She asked if I'd like to have it, to which I enthusiastically...
On Location at Bacon's Castle - Journey to the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries
The Lady of Portland House shines in "Antoinette" Mules in blue While I was in Virginia this past March, I had the opportunity to work with some truly wonderful ladies...
18th c. Quilted Petticoat Progress
I realize I did a lot of work for my trip to Colonial Williamsburg that I then didn't finish in time...and didn't share with you. Followers on Facebook will know...
Shoe News from American Duchess
I've been deep in the Caverns of Business, carefully setting up lots of exciting new things for you guys - new collaborations, bunches of new styles for Summer and Fall,...
Ladies' Elizabethan Separates Explored
Last time, I was musing over trim styles on doublets, but towards the end of that post I realized that perhaps the design I had in mind was a "fair-ism,"...
Elizabethan Doublet Trimming Ideas
Diane d'Andouins by Etienne Dumonstier Earlier this year, when I was feverishly sewing for Colonial Williamsburg, I put together a quick test bodice in some russet velveteen. It was just...
Spring Fever: Floral Shoes!
Okay, so maybe it blew a gale and was a bit nippy today, but on the whole it's been quite lovely here in Nevada, which has put me in mind...
My Annual Sewing Rut
Once again, I have absolutely no motivation to make a single stitch of anything lately. I've learned that this is quite normal, and that if I force the issue I'll...