After the Fetes Galantes ball at Versailles was cancelled two years in a row due to the pandemic, I wanted to put my red robe à la française to good use for DragonCon in Atlanta. And my friends Jessi and Paige from Cosplay and Cocktails inspired me to make my own Rococo costume(s) with a geeky […]
18th century dressmaking
Sewing My First Robe à la Française
In preparation for Fetes Galantes 2020 (yes, the one the pandemic canceled), I made a robe à la française, or sack-back gown, mock-up to wrap my brain around the confusing construction of this garment that had intimidated me at first sight. I hand stitched, machine stitched, and learned a lot along the way. I ended up finishing […]
An 18th Century Bergère Hat Upgrade
Several years ago I trimmed an 18th century bergère (a flat-brimmed straw hat with a shallow crown) rather modestly for a Claire inspired Outlander costume. I’ve since never worn it. So last year while working on my gown and accessories for Fetes Galantes (yes, the one the pandemic canceled), I upgraded my hat using The American Duchess […]
Hair Cushions: An Experimental Book Review of The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty
I’m no stranger to 18th century costuming, but my knowledge is relatively new and limited to Outlander and Black Sails, and I am still learning (always). I attended Costume College last month and sat in on the 18th century beauty lecture led by Lauren Stowell and Abby Cox from American Duchess. My husband, friends, and […]