American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Sewing Cake "Pavlova" Pattern 1940s Photo Shoot
Howdy! Back in January, I worked on a "collabvertisement" with Steph C. of "Cake Patterns," to showcase one of her awesome, indie, vintage-inspired patterns, "Pavlova." It was a freezing cold...
Restoring Antique Shoes - How to Polish Leather Shoes
Ever since I started collecting antique shoes, I've been a little obsessive about restoration, primarily bringing leather shoes back from the dead. I look for the *worst* leather shoes on...
New 18th Century Shoe - Your Opinions Please
Howdy! So...I've been working on a new 18th century Colonial shoe about 1700-1770. She's gorgeous, complete with snazzy French heel and white rand, and I'd like your opinion on what...
The Very Inspiring Blogger Award
Thank you to Deborah, for awarding my blog here the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! I love awards, primarily passing them on and seeing them whiz around the internet. So here...
Butterick to the Big Screen - Historical Hollywood Contest!
Thanks to Francis, who posted about this on Facebook... Butterick is holding a contest to create your own Hollywood-inspired outfit, using a contemporary Butterick pattern, specifically any period from 1860...
Style in the Sky: British Airways Fashions Through the Ages
I can't help but love aviation fashion. I was a complete sucker for "Pan Am ," and before that, "View from the Top ," and just about any photograph of...
How Wide Should Your 18th Century Panniers Be?
I've set out on the adventure of making a Grand Pannier to wear under voluminous 18th century apparel, and the first question that came to mind is - how wide...
The Many Types of 18th Century Gowns
I realized today with the 18th century gowns I have made I have only scratched the surface of how many different types there were. It's easy to fall into the...
Regency Shoes - Delightful Flats
I'm a little in love with Regency right now, can you tell? I've got new duds for both myself and Mr. C to do, but we're also prepping a new...
Problem Solving with Regency Stays
Boobs are such an issue in the Regency. Seriously, they're just in such *weird* places! Naturally, or rather unnaturally, we as costumers want to try to achieve these, um, heights,...
Tim Gunn-ing the 1912 Day Dress
Every once in awhile, a "simple" project comes along and kicks my butt. Usually it's after I've just successfully completed something really complicated and I'm feeling good about my sewing...
Starting a "Simple" 1912 Day Dress
I've got a case of Costume ADD! My squirrely brain has landed on this "quick and easy" 1912 daytime tea dress. I thought I would just throw it together...ha...haha...HAHAHA. I...