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Interview with Merja of "Before the Automobile"

Interview with Merja of "Before the Automobile"

Today's seamstress needs no introduction. She is renowned world-wide for her gorgeous costuming, amazing fit, brilliant styling, and - oh!- that silhouette! Merja Palkivaara of "Before the Automobile" and "The...
American Duchess
Tagged: Interviews
American Duchess Shoe Shop Announcements

American Duchess Shoe Shop Announcements

Howdy! Today I have a couple shop announcements for you. First... Imperfects Sale We have quite a few styles available, but only a small and random selection of sizes in...
American Duchess
Tagged: Shoes
Accessorizing for Williamsburg: The Do-It-Again-George Cape-Mantle-Thing

Accessorizing for Williamsburg: The Do-It-Again-George Cape-Mantle-Thing

Of course, my cape looks nothing like this... I'm off and running on my Williamsburg accessories. Feeling good about the muff, I jumped into making a cloak...something simple, easy, quick,...
American Duchess
Accessorizing for Williamsburg: An 18th Century Fur Muff

Accessorizing for Williamsburg: An 18th Century Fur Muff

On my list of things to make for our March trip to Williamsburg was a fur muff to keep the hands warm, in case of chilly weather. Mrs. Wilbraham Bootle,...
American Duchess

Accessorizing for Williamsburg, 2014

For once I have a decent number of gowns to wear to a big event, but what I *don't* have is a selection of accessories to help with what might...
American Duchess
Returning to Williamsburg in March 2014

Returning to Williamsburg in March 2014

Colonial Williamsburg, here we come! I'll spare you the "squee" (but know that it's happening) - my dear friend Maggie and I will be attending the Millinery Through Time conference...
American Duchess
Review: "Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern Cutting From Tudor to Victorian Times"

Review: "Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern Cutting From Tudor to Victorian Times"

Title: Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern cutting from Tudor to Victorian times by Elizabeth Friendship (c) Batsford 2013 ISBN: 0896762858 $21.00 - $26.00 Every once in awhile there comes a book...
American Duchess
Test Driving "18th Century Hair & Wig Styling - The Book"

Test Driving "18th Century Hair & Wig Styling - The Book"

As all of you 18th century beauties will already know, Kendra Van Cleave, the intrepid costumier and long-time blogger of Demode, has finally produced a how-to book on authentic 18th...
American Duchess
Extant Victorian Side-Lacing Gaiters

Extant Victorian Side-Lacing Gaiters

Darlings, I realize I've been going on and on about "Gettysburg" boots without showing you the real deal! So here are lots of examples of pretty gaiters from the 1830s...
American Duchess
Are "Gettysburg" Boots Appropriate For Civil War Costuming?

Are "Gettysburg" Boots Appropriate For Civil War Costuming?

Litchfield Historical Society - 1860 There's quite a lot of quibbling on Facebook about the dating on the new "Gettysburg" boots, so I'm here to give some insight into how...
American Duchess
Pre-Order: "Gettysburg" Victorian Side-Lace Boots

Pre-Order: "Gettysburg" Victorian Side-Lace Boots

Today I'm happy to open the pre-order for "Gettysburg" Victorian Side-Lace Boots. Pre-Order January 10 - 30, 2014 SALE $135 ($155) www.AmericanDuchess.com Gettysburg boots are typical of footwear found between...
American Duchess
Practical Footwear, 1860-1880

Practical Footwear, 1860-1880

AuntieNan asks: What did they wear in the way of practicality, on a railway journey, say, or going to town? Why, boots! Delicious, delightful boots! Just like the re-emergence of...
American Duchess