Answering Your Questions From 'I WORE 18TH-CENTURY CLOTHING EVERY DAY FOR 5 YEARS' (while sewing)
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- Опубликовано: 5 авг 2024
- What was the average woman's wardrobe like in the 18th-century? How did women deal with their periods in the 18th-century? How did you deal with thigh chafing? Sit back and relax as I try to answer all of your burning questions from my video "I wore 18th-Century Clothing Every Day for 5 Years" as I hand-sew an 18th-century style sewing kit called a "Housewife" or "Hussif".
Watch "I Wore 18th-Century Clothing *Every Day for 5 YEARS & This Is What I Learned (Corsets Aren't Bad!)" - • I Wore 18th-Century Cl...
Y'all. I didn't expect that video to go "viral-ish", but here we are. You asked me a lot of questions in the comments, and so I'm going to do my best to answer them. I also just want to sit and chat with you a bit about how having a video go "viral" and having your RUclips Channel grow from 2000 subscribers to 37,000 subscribers in a month feels like (spoiler: weird and cool.) Below you'll find the list of sources I use to begin to answer the question about how 18th-century women dealt with their periods, all of the different creators mentioned in this episode, where to buy 18th-century stays and shoes, further reading, and my images/video citations.
💌Business Inquiries ONLY abbycox@viralnationtalent.com
🤓Primary Sources:
*Physiological Essays and Observations by John Stedman, 1791. Archive. Org, archive.org/details/physiolog...
*Emmenologia by John Freind, 1729. Archive.Org archive.org/details/emmenolog...
*Sarah Malcolm on Trial for Murder, February 21st, 1733 www.oldbaileyonline.org/brows...
*A Treatise of Midwifery by Alexander Hamilton, 1781 - www.google.com/books/edition/...
*The London Practice of Midwifery, J. Murray, 1811
www.google.com/books/edition/...
*The Physician’s Vade Mecum; or a concise system of the practice of physic by Joseph Townsend, 1781. www.google.com/books/edition/...
*A Compendious System of Midwifery Chiefly Designed to Facilitate the Inquiries of Those who May be Pursuing this Branch of Study. Illustrated by Occasional Cases By William Potts Dewees · 1825 www.google.com/books/edition/...
📸IMAGES & VIDEOS:
*Summer Dresses, 1783, Object Number - J,5.139, Asset Number - 79588001 © The Trustees of the British Museum. www.britishmuseum.org/collect...
*Chemise, 1780-1800s, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2005.368 www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
*Pantalets, 1802-1820, Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
*A Morning Ramble, or, The Milliner’s Shop, 1782, The British Museum, www.britishmuseum.org/collect...
*Chamber Pot (Bourdaloue), c. 1740, The J. Paul Getty Museum, www.getty.edu/art/collection/o...
*Was This Beloved Queen of Britain A Drug User? • Beloved Queen Victoria...
🧙🏻♀️Creators Mentioned:
Costuming Drama: / @costuming_drama
Unpacking the Trunk Costumes: / @unpackingthetrunkcost...
Karolina Zebrowska: • How Did Victorian Wome...
Dandy Wellington: / indiglonyc
Not Your Momma’s History: / @notyourmommashistory
📚Further Reading
Dress of the People by John Styles - amzn.to/373fZ8y
The American Duchess Guide to 18th-Century Dressmaking - amzn.to/375F0Qw
The American Duchess Guide to 18th-Century Beauty - amzn.to/3dGD2sy
Costume Close-Up: Clothing Construction and Pattern, 1750-1790 by Linda Baumgarten - amzn.to/3dDwhY9
Sweet and Clean? Bodies and Clothes in Early Modern England by Susan North - amzn.to/3dEbO5I
📸My Video Kit:
Camera: amzn.to/2AKyToy
Lens: amzn.to/375FOow
Mic: amzn.to/2z5mtXY
👠Shoes & Stays:
Redthreaded Corsetry: www.redthreaded.com
American Duchess: www.americanduchess.com
🎶Music from www.epidemicsound.com
**I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. By purchasing items through the links listed above, I could earn a small commission for your purchase, which goes directly to supporting this channel. Thank you.❤ 
Хобби
🎉 HOUSEWIFE KITS! So, the housewife I was sewing was just a pattern I doodled up before cutting it out, so there is no *exact* pattern like available. However, there are some kits available to purchase from some lovely small businesses!
Willoughby & Rose: willoughbyandrose.com/collections/supply-kits/products/18th-century-housewife-hussif-kit
The Lady Detalle: www.etsy.com/shop/LadyDetalle?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=695684041§ion_id=16515943
You have inspired me to live a dream of mine for years . So thank you
Fanciful Utility by Anna Worden Bauersmith also has mid 19th century housewife patterns based on extent pieces she has in her personal collection. www.thesewingacademy.com/shop/
Pardon me but what is a housewife for exactly?
@@sarenahuisman3446 mini sewing kit, like a travel kit for running repairs.
You said you were dressed normal, or like middle class, but wasn't the middle class a lot smaller in the 18th century? I am thinking back to an account of a diptheria(?) outbreak in London 200 years later that was describing appalling conditions throughout many of London's large working class. Also, as you know better than me, wardrobe would be smaller and garments washed less frequently. So a woman with whatever socioeconomic status was most prevalent would wear a dress with fabric that clean and fresh looking? I don't intend for my tone to sound pushy, I'm just curious.
Oh, and in the original video, you said that nowadays we don't protect our skin from the sun but back in the day you might wear a long sleeve white gown. Wasn't Marie Antoinette's portrait of her in a white dress cause controversy because the color and fabric were similar to that of underclothes? Or were most white gowns totally acceptable because of different fabric choices or another reason I'm not considering?
I would absolutely love to watch a detailed video about how people dealed with menstruation back then!
I will be working on it! There is so much to discuss, explore, and experiment with! 😍
Me, too!!
@@AbbyCox Thank you, I'll be looking forward to it! It is definitely a super interesting rabbit hole to jump in.
There is a book called The Curse by Emily Toth. She is an English prof but I took every class she offered on my journey to acquiring a History degree. Monthly rags were the norm-tied on securely with more strips of cloth. Oh, the monthly rags were washed and reused. I guess the maxi pads with a belt from my teen years are a step up from that.
This is all so fascinating! Congratulations on your channel :)
Yes she does sound like this in real life. 😂 Favorite part about her...her personality!
I love you *so much* 😂❤️❤️
That's why I love watching her videos, and her and Lauren's livecasts - it feels like I'm hanging out with my best friends
Me too. I've just subscribed to your channel Cheyney and I'm looking forward to the education. Thank you xxx
Totally!!!
Id love to find ways to incorporate clothes, then and now. Love listening to you. (I volunteered at a homestead house with my mother in Virginia when i was young.)(carding wool, spinning and turn of the century dancing) it was a great experience. (Love your channel)
A murder trial is not what I was expecting to hear about during a conversation about menstruation, but I'm definitely intrigued
I read somewhere that pms was part of lizzie borden's legal defense.
Part of Lizzie Borden's defense was that the clothing she burnt in the incinerator was stained with menstrual blood, rather than the blood of her parents.
Also something to keep in mind about the information offered as a defense at a murder trial...it’s possible she actually was guilty and that she was describing this method of dealing with menstruation because it was unusual (and actually not a method she even used, but rather one contrived to prove her innocence).
Congratulations! I watch you because you are real, funny, and informed. :) In the 70's I asked my grandmother(born in 1900)detailed questions about her/her mother/her grandmother and their actual 'dealing with the period process. She told me that as far as she knew, nothing had changed in all that time. She wore 'cotton waste' - which is the short stapled cotton left from the baling/ginning/processing of cotton, which was rolled into a short roll, placed in the center of a long strip of cloth which was tack stitched to her waist band at the back. The front of the strip was pulled forward, between her legs and tucked (or normal days) or tied (for fieldwork, etc days) to the waist band in the front. Further questions elicited that the waist band was actually just a strip of cloth which she wore around her waist to hold this contraption during her period. The cloth strip was washed and reused. The waste cotton was burned. She further stated that she only burned it when all the men were out of the house as it smelled. She did not know what women who lived in places where 'waste cotton' was not available did. She was of the opinion that women just did what they needed to and made as little fuss as possible. She also stated that 'so many women were pregnant most of the time' that it didn't 'figure'. I was raised in rural western Texas. She and her family were also rural, southern women. She also described the wonder of the first commercial period pad she ever saw! Her sister was working in a hotel in Waco and they had them for sale to 'travelers'. She was impressed, but did not hold with burning money. So, I don't think she ever used commercial products.
My mom used the same system, but crocheted from wool. They were reused after washing, and if they didn't hang on the laundry line, all neighbours knew that woman was pregnant (laundry was done every 4 weeks, since it took several days). My mom was born 1940 in Germany. When she started earning her own money she would spend 1/3 of her salary buying disposable pads because she was disgusted by having to wash the woolen ones.
Wow! So informative! Thank you for sharing!
My husbands grandmother, born in a farm around the Depression, mentioned a “menstrual crock” once. It sat on the back porch and I think must’ve functioned sort of like a diaper genie today, holding them separately and enclosed until they could be washed (maybe even boiled?). Unfortunately she now has late stage Alzheimer’s and I can’t ask for clarification and I haven’t had luck finding more documentation online. Was it a rural thing? A class thing? A family habit? Unknown but the word “menstrual crock” will haunt my thoughts forever.
"She also stated that 'so many women were pregnant most of the time' that it didn't 'figure'". I imagine this happened a lot. Even today with women who have children back to back for a few years, or just have a lot in general, between pregnancy and breastfeeding, you don't get your period at all during that time. When you figure that before the invention of baby formula all women were breastfeeding for likely well over a year, even one pregnancy could mean you didn't get your period for 2 years or more, it's entirely likely that many married women didn't have a period for many years or only had one once every several years between children. It likely wasn't an issue they dealt with as regularly as we're thinking.
@@Leiloni What about bleeding after birth? That one takes a while...
Abby answering the important questions here, The names of her pups.
😂😂😂 the guilt I felt when I got called out by the lack of introducing my doggos was *bad*
@@AbbyCox The real truth about youtube, when people care more about your pets than your actual content. xD The extra footage of them at the end was A+ content .
Anyways, I actually loved the video and am looking forward to seeing more from you, Thank you for creating!
@@allusen 😂😂😂 Thank you for watching & being here! I am more than happy to share all the pup footage because they are endlessly entertaining to me 😂.
I once admitted a home care patient with a gravy boat collection. They weren't gravy boats.......... I told her son. The whole family already knew most weren't gravy boats. No one had the nerve to tell her!
😂😂😂😂😂
Ahem. Are “gravy boats” typically used from the front or the back? I know certain cultures use similar things today, so I’m curious how they relate and such, esp with western culture not really using those tools as much as eastern cultures.
You remind me so much of a friend from college. (We won't mention how long ago that was!) I was hooked by The Video. Such a fascinating way to think about the clothes I have taken for granted all my life. Wow
...
@@SJ-le2vc apparently from the front. There is a handle and it looks like a gravy boat except that both long sides are bowed in. I've seen it slipped under from the front then its squeezed between the legs. Very discrete hands free if you're good at it.
@@nckoes That's kind of brilliant.
Hi. Librarian here. Great video.
I know of three possible ways to get more access to primary sources than the ones mentioned in the video.
1. Your public library. They are often subscribed to major databases.
2. A university you previously attended. You may be able to access the library databases for free or for a discount.
3. A local college or university. There can be a fee (and quite expensive) but it is better than paying for each article on Google Scholar and you have access to the researchers at the university library.
Hope that helps. The video is great.
Edit: And to clarify, I am referring to using primarily sources transfered online available worldwide,, but all of the above can have physical primary sources as well.
Another librarian here....Don't forget that the library you use may also be able to borrow or obtain copies of resources from other libraries through their interlibrary loan services.
Hi, I'm yet a another librarian!
I'm working at a library with quite an impressive collection of prints and manuscripts from the middle ages through 16th, 17th century to today and also some of the 18th century, I wanted to add that at least in Europe many libraries have (growing) parts of their collection digitised and you can see and read many old books online for free by looking them up in the online catalogue. there are high quality photos of so many of our old books online, you just have to find the right one. and while my library specialises in 16th and 17th century, there are also some that focus on 18th century literature.
(Please excuse any grammar mistakes, English is not my first language. I tried.)
Accessibility tip: repeat/read questions allowed for the blind/people who can't see the question bc they're sewing pretty please! 💖💖💖
I want a merch sticker that says "Ibuprofen ain't got nothin' on Laudanum, guys." Just...please?
Laudanum and Asperin(used to be a clear liquid) bottles with Tequila and Vodka are part of my steam punk attire.
I second this motion.
@@byronthe0xx i will make it ;) -HalcionDaze
I could do that, @CatBat333 I have a few ideas for it too
Answer to how to know if a video has gone viral: if a video has more than double the average view count of the channel in question it can be considered viral. So 1 million views is considered viral for a sewing video, but not for a music video.
I actually wore split drawers for my wedding. The dress was modern but the gown was full and heavy (ballgown). And i was glad i could pee by myself without needing any help. Prioratire's video was definitely a help!
Split drawers are THE BEST THING OF ALL TIME! (This was super-genius!)
I sure wish that I had known about split drawers and also known that approaching the toilet "backward" or "horse style" would have made my life sooooo much easier! Of course that might have been too much of a show for my brother in law at the end of the reception when we did a traditional thing from hubbie's family (sie leben hoch) where the bride and groom are toasted "most highly" ...being lifted and bounced on chairs and bil's head went under my dress! :0
@@bun04y
Those are risks I would take, especially when there is so much fabric concealing everything.
For chafing I rub solid deodorant on the inside of my thighs after, a shower. It lasts 8 - 12 hours depending on the brand. Secret, Lady Speed Stick, Dove , etc. as long as it is solid. This is also good for under the breast (for big breast) and or excessive stomach area/rolls. Any place where skin rubs, it should be applied. The downside to this is that my toilet seat needs a little extra cleaning because the deodorant on the thighs gets on the seat. This is a small price to pay for comfort!! But it works!!! You only need to reapply if you go swimming. Please spread the word and enjoy wearing summer dresses 👗👍🏽😁
I've been using this little hack for years. I use the Mens Dove Stick under my breasts and butt/thigh crease and it works a treat. But you're right about the additional toilet seat cleaning lol
I tried it once. It lasted maybe 5-10 minutes and then PAIN. I have to have some sort of physical barrier. It’s an awesome hack for some people, it’s just not a universal one.
Monistat has a anti-chafing lotion that’s been the best I’ve found, other than shorts, to help with the chub rub, in modern days.
Look into a product called "Body Glide" it's made specifically for this purpose. It won't transfer on your clothes or toilet.
@@SJ-le2vc I found the silicone formulation of Monistat made me a bit claggy! :o(
PLEASE do a video on menstruation during the 18th century. I've always been curious.
How I got here(hold on for the ride): I could sew enough to hold two pieces of fabric together, with a machine. My Nanna taught me when I was a kid. Recently, with the pandemic, I took up sewing masks. I was traveling for my job and away from a sewing machine, so I looked up how to sew by hand. That was when I found Bernadette Banner. Bernadette Banner led me down a rabbit hole of historical costuming, then to stays, which led me to you, American Duchess, and a new hobby. I’ve watched your videos over and over, and while I know nothing about garment construction except for what y’all have taught me, I’m going to make a pair of stays. This will eventually lead to a robe a la francaise.
When I learned to knit....as soon as I got the basics down, I found the most difficult lace I could, and made that. Struggling through things way beyond my skill set teaches me sooooo much along the way.
Check out the Burnley and Trowbridge historical sew-alongs !
Same here, went from sewing help to Bernadette Banner sewing pockets to Abby and I am sucked into all the new videos are awesome.
Welcome to the dark side. We serve tea and cookies every day at 4 :D Btw, you should check out costume college, if you want to really fall down the well!
Ok that's precious tho, mom going thru the comments for you
Hi, Mom!
Hi!
Vee Dragon Hi!
Vee Dragon Hi Mom! 😁🤗
"it is a smart house" *terrified glance at ceiling*
I'm surprised that any information about periods in the 18th century exists at all. It was such a taboo subject. My mother grew up in the 1930's, and when she got her first period, she had no idea what was going on. When she got her second period, she told her mum, and was meet with "oh you've started that nonsense". Not very helpful.
David Hutchison 1st period in the 1970s , not much change till then, I thought I was dying. 🤨
That's fucking terrifying 😳 I couldn't imagine not knowing what's going on
Omgsh 0.0 I thought mine was terrifying. No mom at the time, just my dad. But dang that’s rough. My daughter is 9 and already knows so much about what to expect. Like I don’t want her scared and want her to know I support her when she hits puberty.
@@RebeccaStoneoffthehook I used to go on 'beinggirl.com' when I was younger it taught you everything and even sent you a free period kit. With pads, tampons and deodorant. There also articles. I believe I learned about it in a tween magazine 😁
I got my first period on a Sunday night, during a commercial break watching Bonanza. Grabbed my aunt ‘cause I thought I was dying! After she stopped laughing and yelling at my mother, for not warning me, she explained how to take care of myself.
I’m an early subscriber. I think I was in the first 200? Don’t worry so much about putting more of yourself out here...just BE yourself. Being your own snarky, vivacious self is what brought us to you. As an Idahoan and official spud, I love your mug! This tater loves you. Thank you for answering those questions, particularly about your doggos! They’re just too cute. Love, light, and blessings to you and yours, and may life be kind until next we meet.
I saw that mug and thought about the book “Potatoes Not Prozac”. True thing. Apparently they can be a mood enhancer... author referenced the science.
😭😭😭 I always look for your comments on my videos, because you were one of my first subs and seeing your comment is like a digital security blanket! ❤️ Big hugs!
Hey I'm in Idaho too!! Where from in Idaho?!
I watched it twice: once on my own, one with my boyfriend. He loved your dress and your zany personality. And my sister watched it. And my daughter...
On the topic of menstruation, I suffered from excruciating periods prior to my hysterectomy (endometriosis), to the point where I couldn't wear tampons, and frequently just the pressure of panties was more than I could bear on my pelvis, taking pads off the list of options, as well. Free bleeding was destructive to my limited wardrobe, so I started "wearing" a folded washcloth or piece of linen towel held between my thighs to do the job, with a loose shift worn over all (no waistbands allowed on days I was that tender). I got used to it pretty quickly, to the point where I could putter around the house without it shifting around. Not sure I would have trusted it out in public, and I am as far from a thigh gap as one could get, but I did wonder if historically, women might not have utilized something similar. One wouldn't be mending fences, riding to market, etc while using such an arrangement, but (pain allowing) would have been able to get through a large portion of their normal activities...
I'm not sure how early this was invented but until the adhesive pad was invented (1970s) women used a "belt" that went around the waist and between the legs suspending a disposable pad or cloth. Ask a woman who was of childbearing age in the 60's they could tell you all about it.
@@daisymae3717 Or the 70s or 80s. My mother remembers wearing them and she was born in the 60s.
I use washable pads that snap on to my panties. Hand wash or throw them in the wash! Easy peasy.
Amanda Joy I remember seeing belted pads for sale in the 80s and sex ed books mentioned them. In the UK they were Dr White's which are still sold. Why did women still wear them then though? I thought belted pads were pretty much abandoned when the stick-on pads came along.
@@IndigoJo I was not of childbearing age until the 00s, so I don't really know, but possibly everyone 25-ish and under in the 70s switched but women who were between 25 and 50 kept doing what they were already used to?
It’s probably already mentioned in the comments. But one word that is still used for menstruation is rags. Which gives an idea of what was possibly used during their monthly.
For those wondering about periods and dealing with it, maybe a diva or moon cup could help a lot. I've been using one over pads for a few years and they are a great alternative to pads and tampons for historical use. TMI but I only change mine 2 each day, once when I wake up and then again before I go to bed so I think you could easily go a full day of costuming at an event and not have to worry about changing. Also catch that Gap Victorian shirt! Mine ahould be coming in next week
This!! I wear mid-Victorian clothes a lot, and while I haven't used Victorian reproduction menstrual products (yet), my go-to is a menstrual cup, with modern cotton underpants, a cotton reusable pad (the kind that just snaps right on), and no split drawers that day. I tend to have a super heavy flow, and I also forget I'm wearing the cup sometimes or get stuck doing something outside, so having the extra layer for leakage is essential. But it works great, and I recommend it for anybody who has a heavy flow.
Same here. Cups have been a life saver for festivals and events.
@@horseenthusiast1250 I second that! I used to use tampons before I knew about cups, and let me tell you.. changing a tampon with all the skirts is a challenge! Its much better with a cup because I don't have to change it until evening when I am back in modern clothes.
In high school, a group project of mine did some similar research as far as a cervical cap for preventing pregnancy or attempting to abort an unwanted surprise, and half a lemon was sometimes used (not all that successfully, but possibly more successfully than without,) so I’m curious if something along those lines could’ve been used by some. Probably not more “proper” woman, but maybe amongst lower class women or prostitutes?
Disclaimer: do not use the lemon, it’s not supposed to be very hygienic or safe, so not something I’d recommend for many reasons! Current/modern products are much safer, please stick to those.
I love your channel Abby and American Duchess. I was given 2 pairs of huge linen lined, embroidered silk curtains from a mansion being renovated. I'm hoping, with the help of your pattern, to make a Robe a la Francaise. I'm very nervous, but it's been a dream of mine since childhood. I bought some excellent pre-made stays and undergarments, but the gown I want to make myself. Wish me luck. Thank you for all of your advice. xxx
It's so bizarre that linen has become a luxe fabric when.... it wasn't. Linen (and hemp!) were mainstays for so long and now if you want linen bedsheets -- or linen outfits -- you have to save up for them and wash them till they're perfect.
Didn't that start with Rachels video about "Born in the wrong century"? That's how I found you.
Yep! That video came out on Friday and then the "I wore..." came out on that Sunday! ❤️
@@AbbyCox I came for the look, stayed for the smiles and the content. Love your blouse btw.
@@darkiee69 Thank you! 😍 It's from the Gap!
Abby Cox you also sound like Rachel Maksy. I am happy to have found you. Continue your good work!
Let's see... i found Abby through Rachel, who i think i found through Morgan, who i definitely found through Bernadette, who i found through a costuming IRL friend :)
Having a mum who will check your viral video's comments section for you is another level of mum+daughter connection! 😆 I looove my mama but must admit that's never a dilemma I've ever needed her help with 😅
Easy, the reason we all subscribed after watching that video is because of your personality. You seem really fun to be around so you don't have to worry, keep being yourself and we'll be there for the journey. Thanks for your videos and best if luck with your channel. p.s. love your puppers❤
I found you in the channels you might like based on what you subscribe to. My great grandmother (born in 1903) said regarding her period they rolled up rags and pinned them to their drawers. I'd imagine in the earlier era they may have done the same and belted them in place with the apron. Love your channel. Keep up the good work.
I made myself a travel sewing kit in a vintage cigarette tin I got from my grandpa. Made myself a pin cussion in a similar way to yours, but stuffed mine with cut up cabbage and other tiny fabric scraps and thread bits, since I don't have any stuffing. Recycling!
Now that we know your puppies, we can live a happier life
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Abby - Love your energy! I fell down the old time menstruation rabbit hole a few years ago and just sticking rags/towels between your legs and having wearing an apron under your clothes to protect your clothing was the common solution (i think it was primarily worn backwards, to protect your skirts when you sat down. Also came across using a piece of sheep skin (with the wool on it) as a pad, the wool would absorb the blood and it was washable and reusable. Sadly, I'm post menopausal and won't be able to try any of the old or new solutions.
Say, Abby,
Could you show us what the Hussif would hold? Where would things go? I get the pin-cushion, but the rest is a mystery. Thanks!
just sewing bits and bobs - thimbles, needles, pins, thread, small scissors, bits of candy wrappings, wadded up receipts, fossilized dog treats...bits of fuzz..you know..normal stuff. 😂❤️
@@AbbyCox don't forget bobby pins and couple of foreign coins!
Plus some buttons I bet and don't know for sure but surely some bits of ribbon!
Lip balm. A must.
A needle threader and quick unpick are essential too!
i found american duchess through bernadette banner's video. when i realized you had your own channel, i couldn't click subscribe fast enough! if you asked me which video was my favorite, i'd have to say all of them. :)
Me too :)
😭😭😭 Thank you!!! ❤️
@@AbbyCox
I would love to see a more detailed vid about periods in the 18th cen. I am always interested in getting more information about how women really lived their lives. Thank you for sharing your vibrancy with all of us! I am really enjoying seeing what you're working on.
I found your channel after Bernadette Banner gave you a shout out on her Instagram story!
Me too!
Same.
Ditto
I’ve been following American Duchess for some time and recently found out that you have your own channel now. Super Excitement. When the first book came out you unknowingly helped me make not one but two pair of stays (especially the extra info about leather eyelet reinforcement). They are so much more comfortable than the store bought stays we have at work. I am also *that person*. So Thank You! Your channel is Wonderful.
Oh my gosh! I’m studying at IU now!! I love it here :) part of my degree is historical music study, and I’ve been entertaining the idea of giving a recital of period music on period instruments in period costumes 😂
That sounds amazing! There is a lovely historical costuming community in Bloomington/area - I'm sure people would *love* the recital!
Abby Cox I’ve been wondering if there are people/groups/places to get started around here, but haven’t been able to track any down! Do you have any suggestions?
I love the history of clothing and fashion, along with other parts of social and cultural history (food, the arts, technology, everyday living, etc.) so I've been drawn to your videos and other historical costumer videos. If I ever get up the nerve to properly learn sewing (beyond sewing cat toys, pillow covers and hemming pants and skirts!), I would love to make comfy yet pretty 1910s-1920s style clothes. Your puppies are so cute! 🥰
Wooo! Happy that your video has brought me to your channel, and also happy that the captions are working great for this one! Thank you!
This is brilliant. Thank you so much for answering our questions!
Thanks so much for your videos! Congrats on going full time. Looking forward to more!
I was here early ish! I first saw you on Bernadette's video doing a hair demonstration in New York, when I heard you had a new channel (from Bernadette) I came over and loved it! I have watched most of your videos more than once already. I loved the unboxing videos because you are showing amazingly detailed images of a primary source (ones I like) and your well informed detailed assessment of them! Plus, I love your personality, makes me smile.
Edited: spelling mistake🤦🏻♀️
I’ve been following you I *think* nearly since you started 😊 I’m mostly a lurker but have to tell you I love your videos! thank you for being such a fun and informative presence ♥️
I'm so glad to have found your channel. It's a breath of fresh air. I'm looking forward to more videos.
Abby, your videos are the quality content that we all needed during this crazy time. You are amazing and your videos are so freaking entertaining. Thank you!
I’m loving all the costume content in general at the moment, and yours in particular.
Abby your videos are so full of info and personality, they make my nerd heart happy.
You've been very quickly become one of my favorite RUclipsrs☺ I don't wanna miss a single! Thank you!
Obsessed with your channel! Congrats on the success, that’s no small feat in such a saturated platform. I have always wanted to start a channel but truthfully I just get so bored of the same topics, I have never been able to narrow down a focus. Thanks for being you and sharing your awesome experiences with us :)
Your videos are so fun and interesting! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion!
Neat little project and informative video!! Your dogs are adorable. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to next week!
I hope you are doing well, and that the change in work is (if not what you wanted) ultimately all that you want it to be. Love the content, love the personal touches. Looking forward to more.
Great follow-up video. I love your voice, your style, your sense of humour. I'm always up for learning more about how people used to live, before modern conveniences.
I love your videos so much!!! They’ve inspired a lot of my venturing into this world:)
I loved thus so much, Abby. I can’t wait to get this sweet hussif. The dog content...verrrry familiar. Thank you for being just genuinely you.
This is so interesting! Your Hamilton review got me started on your channel but now I have been loving all your videos! I love hearing your experiences
Your puppos are super adorable, your videos are always interesting or informative to this history major (I always learn something new), and I gotta say your blouse is really pretty!
I rewatch this video so much! I just find it so nice to sit down with a cup of tea and watch 😊
I'm glad your video went "viral" cause it was the first of your videos I saw and I immediately subscribed. You're my cup of tea. I love your videos, I think I've gone back and watched them all.
That video is actually what introduced you to me 🥰🥰🥰🥰 I fell in love with your energy and presence, and now I'm slowly working through your catalogue 💚💚💚 You and a bunch of other fashion historians. You are all amazing.
I only just found your channel yesterday, but I’m absolutely loving your personality and humor and enthusiasm with sharing your wonderful knowledge with us. I definitely subscribed!
I love that you sewed though this video. I felt like we were just having a chat together at your dining table. Reminded me of so many chatty-crafty sessions with my late best friend. She'd knit, and I'd create the project of the week. Brought back happy memories. Thank you!
I would love to see you construct the individual pieces of your dresses from that time period. I love seeing how people dressed in centuries past. Also, I love your outgoing personality and how relaxed you are behind the camera. You're a natural!
Ms. Cox, thank you for making the video. I also believe in many of the issues you brought up and though it was quite apropos and timely as the function and wear of clothes. Also the dress was fabulous.
This was such a great video; I definitely was curious about a handful of the questions answered, but hadn't asked, so I'm glad you ended up doing this!! I'm becoming more and more interested in vintage and historical fashion, so I am SO happy that I've recently found your channel and Instagram account! I look forward to future content!! 😄 Your pups are adorable by the way, and that little bum trick with your mini aussie is SO darn cute!! 💕 Thank you for your wonderful content and for the lovely reccomendations for more people to follow!
Thank you so much for making this video, Abby. It's great to get to know you better. You are not an imposter, you are you and please never stop being you. Love the bloopers at the end of your videos. You've inspired me to pick up sewing again and explore whether I can make a career out of sewing. Thank you.
I'm glad your channel is growing so well, and I love your videos Abby!
Thanks for this Abby! I love listening to your thoughts and how you process things. It's honestly quite similar to how I think about things. Strong opinions and just enough nuttiness to make being around you fun. And thanks for introducing the puppers. My husband is in veterinary school so we love all things furry (feathers and scales are swell too)!
When you were doing the apology part, I did not buy for one second that you were going to keep that apology serious! I appreciate the sincerity, and the seriousness at the beginning was peak humor! 😂
I was randomly recommended your video and the title totally clickbaited me. I was like “WHAAAAT? She wore those clothes for FIVE YEARS?” so I watched and I was hooked!
I am one of the newcomers and love your channel! I'm a history nerd and also new to sewing so loving it. Also you and are dogs adorably and funny!
So cute, the housewife project. Adorable doggos. Really enjoying your content. Thanks!
Puppies!!! And sewing chats. And puppies! Happy birthday Soobie! Thank you for another fantastic video Abby. And thank you for additional puppy content. Griff and Soobie are too cute!
Con go atulations on your recent success!!
The algorithm decided that I wanted to watch you - and it was quite insistent, putting you out there for several days before I clicked.
Rapt that you are finding such success with your life on line. I have been watching American Duchess videos for ages. Looking forward to further great things to come.
I've discovered your channel last week in a video of Rachel Maksy and I love what you're doing
I’m just over here living my best life watching your video at 1am 😂 I’m so glad you made this video! I was curious about a lot of this.
You are so wonderful, thank you for the content you create!!
I loved the video, but I absolutely adored the fact that you cited your sources!!
Your humility and humble personality is inspiring! :) Thank you for inspiring me, and inspiring me in my own videos! It would truly be an honor to see you on my channel, you beautiful and inspiring lady!! Keep being you and spreading the simple life!! ❤️ Much love!
Thank you so much for answering some of my questions. I'm looking into one of the living history museums and wondered if you could give any advice. I'm hoping to get in on one of the year long fellowships. I really enjoy your content and I am a huge fan of history especially the fashion and politics, but mostly the fashion. I have some visual impairment issues but I love sewing though I'm defiantly not anywhere near your level. Thanks again for the answers I'm excited for your next video.
Finally got the time to watch some of your videos. Fun!!!
Congratulations on working on RUclips full time. I only discovered your channel a few weeks ago and I love the content and your personality.
Regards Rowena 🇬🇧
I love your videos!! I've always been curious about historical costuming but there is no movement for it around town and no one to talk to about it (try and you'll be considered weird over here!) I truly enjoy your videos because they feel like a conversation I don't get to have "live" over here. Keep 'em comin'!
What a wonderful video. Great content. I have subscribed! Your shirt is superb! This was so much fun!
I enjoy your videos and your knowledge of sewing and clothes they are great and we really love them
Thank you for sharing 😊😊
I have a new youtuber to watch and for that you should never feel like you aren't worth our time. Love the sass, the emotions, the sewing and knowledge.
Thank you for being real, and being you. Don’t loose that as you become a RUclips star 🙂
I am currently writing my MA dissertation on stays. Such a fascinating subject. Often forgotten about too. Love your personality.
Loved the primary source info! Really loved this follow up video having just discovered your channel this week. :)
I've been following you way before the video and I'm excited to see what else you do! One day I'm going to make my own 18th Century gown!
I loved your virtual thimble party and chat session and I completely agree with the commenters who said that it was your great personality that prompted them to subscribe. (I've only subscribed to about 5 channels) I love your dry sense of humour (
Fellow IU Art History alum here! Just an FYI, if you happen to be a paid member of the IU Alumni Association, academic journal access is a member benefit. If not, try your local library. Even if they don't have a subscription to academic journal databases, you should still be able to request individual articles through Interlibrary Loan. Also, absolutely loving the channel!!
Love when you all shout out to other channels for more info on subjects.
Thank you for talking about a subject that for me, growing up as a young teen in the early 1970's was a taboo subject. It was a taboo subject even up to and including my marriage, and to some end, is still a taboo subject. I enjoyed sitting here, embroidering while you were sewing, felt like we were having a sewing bee and indeed a (one sided) conversation, Looking forward to next week and your next chat. Congratulations on your success, may it continue to grow.
Your channel is my new favorite rabbit hole on the internet!
Hi Abby, I am a woman from New Zealand, who shares your love of history and "dress ups". I have recently made up some historic aprons for myself and my (home-schooled), daughters, as I thought to myself "If I am going to go to all that trouble of making regency gowns, I want to protect them by having aprons to wear when we're doing dirty stuff." Actually I have done two of the four at this stage, but have begun to cut out the other two.
I decided to try an innovation of adding some deep (concealed) pockets into the side seams because it is so helpful to have free hands when one is doing housework, and discovering all the things which have migrated around the house!
It is so encouraging to hear your experiences of the freedom and joy you get from learning the benefit of making clothes from natural fibres and learning how comfortable they are when you wear them properly. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Esther
PUPPYYYYYYYY
Also super enjoying your videos. Please keep making them!
"She is small but she is Alpha" man... I wish I could relate
Same Scraps.