American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
Photoshoot - Into The Woods
Over the past year, so many of us have felt a yearning for a more natural, peaceful life. I know I certainly have, and have spent more than a little...
1780s Embroidered Italian Gown - Skirts and Sleeves
In the first post on this project, I constructed the bodice front and back. Now it's time for skirts - the fun part - and sleeves - the evil part....
A 1780s Embroidered Italian Gown - Finally
Most of my 2020 was spent in working on - and finishing! - UFOs or "unfinished objects." I completed my 1760s Sunset Silk Robe a la Francaise, an 1890s linen...
April Vintage Pre-Order is OPEN!
I will admit I haven't been sewing much (Covid energy-sap), but I do have plans. Honestly all I've really been up to is -work- but at least it's fun work,...
The February 2021 Collection is Here - {Pre-Order Open!}
Time for the first collection of 2021!This year, the big plan is to do a pre-order every single month through August (yowza!). Our February collection got off to a bit...
The {FREE} American Duchess Cape Pattern
Click Here for the pattern Howdy! Since we put our Patreon to sleep, we needed to find a new place to host the #ADCapeCult 1910s Wrap Cape pattern. So it's...
{Video} Cake or Death - Marie Antoinette
This is a bit of a weird one.Last Spring, 2020, I made an attempt at Youtube, like SO many of us. I had an idea for a series of cake-decorating-meets-interesting-historical-deaths....
How to Care for "Velvet" Finish Sauvage Leather
Leather comes in many different finishes, from smooth to suede to velvety. It's important to know how to look after each of these leather types to keep your shoes looking...
My 2020 Costuming Year in Review
This has indeed been a weird, challenging, rough year. I think I've left my house, like, 20 times max for 10 months. During this time I feel I sewed very...
Old Projects I, Uh, Forgot to Post About
With all the updates to Ye Olde Blogge, I was going back and checking the "Projects" page when I found several costumes I finished but never actually posted about. The...
Lessons of the Volante - So Far
Du....Du Hast...Du Hast Mich... There's something about pleat-to-fit garments that both attract me and drive me bonkers. I think it's a combination of no two surviving examples being the same...
Pattern Notes & Adjustments for Simplicity S8941
As promised, here is my really big post of pattern notes and adjustments for Simplicity S8941 1790s to Regency Round Gown and Open Robe pattern.This pattern was originally designed in...