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V40: Edwardian Hair Styling Mysteries Solved, 1905 - Part 1 - Shampoo and Other Scary Things

V40: Edwardian Hair Styling Mysteries Solved, 1905 - Part 1 - Shampoo and Other Scary Things

The other day, while washing my hair, I began thinking about hairdressing habits of the past, and how we ladies today treat our hair in *such* a different way from...
American Duchess
V39: 1920s Beaded Flapper Dress Design

V39: 1920s Beaded Flapper Dress Design

Today Lady Carolyn invited me to participate in a presentation on 1920s fashion coming up at Reno's National Automobile Museum at the end of March. How could I resist! I...
American Duchess
V38: Progress on the 1912 Titanic Abbey Gown

V38: Progress on the 1912 Titanic Abbey Gown

Well I've gone through all the easy bits now, and am on to the hard I-hate-these-parts bits, with my 1912 gown. The sleeves of the gown are made of just...
American Duchess
V37: Steampunk School Picture Day

V37: Steampunk School Picture Day

Last Saturday Chris and I spent the afternoon snapping photos of the local Steampunk club, "High Desert Steam." We had access to the Victorian train cars stationed at Victorian Square,...
American Duchess

V36: SuperStripe Sunday - Stripes in the 1770s

Met It's Superbowl Sunday here in America Land. I don't follow football, so I'll be burying myself in the sewing loft and trying to accomplish something on the 1912 Titanic...
American Duchess
V35: Starting on Fabric Stamping for Colonial Williamsburg

V35: Starting on Fabric Stamping for Colonial Williamsburg

Yesterday I thought I'd try my hand at stamping the linen/cotton I bought for one of my Colonial Williamsburg jackets. I don't have a ginormous fabric stretcher thing, so I...
American Duchess
V34: Last Day to Pre-Order Astoria Edwardian Shoes

V34: Last Day to Pre-Order Astoria Edwardian Shoes

Okay, Ladies, today is the last day to pre-order Astoria Edwardian shoes for the special $110 price. The Astorias have done super awesome, and both the ivory and black colors...
American Duchess

V33: Only Death and Taxes, in the 18th century

I have done absolutely nothing costume-related in the past couple of days, and that is because I've started my 2011 taxes. /groan. 'Course, taxes in the 18th century were a...
American Duchess

V32: Guest Post @ The Dreamstress, and Pierrot Jackets

One of my favorite pierrots - from The Met Today I am a guest blogger for The Dreamstress. I wrote a little article about Pierrot jackets, one of my favorite...
American Duchess

V31: Book Review: "18th Century Embroidery Techniques" by Gail Marsh

18th Century Embroidery Techniques Gail Marsh (c) 2006 by Gail Marsh ISBN 978-1-86108-476-7 There comes a time in every 18th century costumer's career when embroidery seems like a good idea....
American Duchess
V30: An Embroidered Apron - My First Williamsburg Piece

V30: An Embroidered Apron - My First Williamsburg Piece

I was pleased to receive my vintage embroidered panel in the mail the other day, but it needed some tweaks. Firstly, it was dirty and smelled of vintage. (You know...
American Duchess
V29: Fabrics for Colonial Williamsburg...Again.

V29: Fabrics for Colonial Williamsburg...Again.

Oh, the best laid plans of seamstresses.... I went shopping for fabrics today and came across the perfect stripe silk for my future Colonial Williamsburg polonaise. It looked at me...
American Duchess