18th Century Shoes from American Duchess!!!

I'm crazy excited to share the news!  American Duchess has just posted her new 18th century footwear campaign and they are drool worthy to say the least! 

Pre-orders start on April 1st (I fool you not!)
She must pre-sell 100 pairs to place the first order...I'm sure most of you follow American Duchess so you probably already know but be sure to reblog for all of your costume crazy friends! :)  (if you don't follow her blog...it's a fun one with regular posts)  http://www.americanduchess.blogspot.com/ 

pre-order here: http://www.american-duchess.com/

You might look at the above picture and say...buh I want different colors!!! Have no fear! The Duchess has you covered as these elegant ladies are color customizable when you order!

Thank you American Duchess!  See you on the 1st!

Researching the Past for Future Sewings and Such

So I have been giving more and more thought on researching to go along with sewing.  While my sewing time has somewhat been diminished I want to give more time to researching and recording while I sew (when I can).  I don't know if this will actually happen and it might be just me rambling.  I usually spend quite a bit of time reading 18th century information on my own and thought I would put it to better use.  I wandered across the above painting a few times over the last two years and have always love it.  I came across it again today AND this from Burnley and Trowbridge:

which of course makes me want to make it even more.  I think I will do a little research on the Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of Russia, 1783-1801 and the dress.

I also wanted to delve more into researching women in 18th century society including social customs, education, etc...for both American women and European women.  I will probably narrow it down to a specific topic once I pick which books I plan to read.  Hope to keep you posted.

As you can see I am trying real hard to get back to the blogging :)

P.S. I finally subscribed this week to Your Wardrobe Unlock'd and Foundations Revealed which I'm super excited about and kind it of course got me pumped on the research thing.

18th Century Catch Up Time!

(from KCI)

Ok I have been UBER busy over the last few months.  My goal the next few months is mucho more costuming.  See the fabulous dress above.  I want.  I want, I want, I want.  I will try to make.  I have a billion other dresses on my agenda but I think I have to make this first.  I have some plain light blue taffeta that I plan to use.  I am also still working on doing as much by hand as possible.  I almost tossed my machine all together the other day but stopped myself.  I need it for other household projects and "just in case."  I did inherit a treadle machine that could quickly be in working condition and I would love to use that instead.  I will post more on that later.

I also have been working on my white corded riding habit which is very close to being done.  Though it, again, is on hold as it won't be used probably for a long time due to the weather quickly warming to high 80s the last few days :(  ...I lengthened the sleeves and changed the fur collar, cuffs and pockets.  Instead of fur they will be green velvet and there will be green velvet self covered buttons for front closure.  Have you seen the BBC Tom Jones?  Sofia wears a VERY similar riding habit when Tom breaks his arm.... btw I am also making this same habit in a full green velvet jacket with a green wool skirt.  The green velvet jacket has been cut but again... it is shelfed :(

Remember the Pink Picnic Caraco?  That's back also.... The pink is changing to a purple/pink taffeta and I remade the skirt to match the top.  Hoping I have enough of the taffeta for a skirt trim.

Then there is some new silk that I picked up....an english gown? circa 1780s? I think so :)
The embroidered fabric will be the gown...solid cream silk petticoat...burgandy silk sash with rhinestone buckle? Yes. I do think so :)

Oh and all my other fabric just waiting for a some prettiness....time?  where are you?

I also had a few people from my 18th century group over for tea last Saturday morning.  We discussed future events and fun stuff that we will be doing...Which means fun photo ops for you :) 

I leave you with my dress from All-Con I wore for a few hrs on Sunday...the theme was steampunk and you might recognize the dress...it used to be more of a hoop skirt when I started it...it turned into a bustle :)