Well, since Catwalk Queen was nice enough to link to me yesterday, I will play true to type and show another Duro … but because I think a lot of you are going to dislike this color combo I'm shooting it in front of a busy background so as to give you something else to look at. (That handsome man on the wall over the dress form's shoulder? That's my grandfather, Fritz.)
This is in wool crepe, which I've washed so it's a little felty — I love it when wool's a little felty, it just has such a great texture and weight to it. The blue is a very peacocky blue, and the gold is downright mustard.
The colors are a little truer with my flash off:
With any luck, because it's wool, it will be nice and warm for Thursday, when I am speaking on a panel at the Free Library of Philadelphia (where I am fighting WAY above my weight class, I can tell you: the other panelists are the amazing Mark Liberman, the charming [in his books, at least, but I expect he'll be so in person as well] and well-read Ben Yagoda, and the almost frighteningly erudite John McWhorter. I, my friends, I am the comic relief.) You should definitely come see it. (Just don't expect me to carry the show.)
I think I only have a couple Duros of my own left to show — and I have only one more cut out waiting to be finished, but I think that one's going to be a doozy. Hint: Darth Vader Fabric.
A Dress A Day 
And WHAT could possibly be wrong with this color combination? Sheesh! People are just too picky, especially if they can’t appreciate felty wool :-). I for one adore everything about it.
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Congratulations on sharing the panel with such heavyweights. Have fun !
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Isn’t felty wool itchy? I like the colors though. Best wishes for your speaking engagement!
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Okay, read the bits on the other panelists and they scared me a little. Bet you get more questions than anybody else in your bright, fun, felty Duro!
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When did I miss the Darth Vader purchase???I can’t wait!I love the wrapped waistband tie and mustard contrast. It looks like you went with the pattern and didn’t follow the mustard around the back. Just as well, from behind everyone will get a taste of the front with the sleeve detail.Fab.: ) Becky
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Hope you’re being reassuring rather than apologetic when you say, *Still* with the Duro!
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I really like that colour combination…unusual as it is. Please keep posting Duros.
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i *love* wool and i think a wool/duro combo is about as close to heaven as one can get
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Who wouldn’t like the color combo??? My first thought when I saw the photo was that it was a PERFECT color combo. It’s gorgeous.Ericawho has a duro pattern and is still working up the nerve
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Love the dress and would love to be at the discussion, but Philadelphia is a bit more than a day trip from Pittsburgh.
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Glad you liked the post, I love this new Duro its beautiful!
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Never mind the dress – I LOVE the big photo display!
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I love the dress but you are right about the color combination. It looks like you are getting ready to sing a solo at the Ukrainian-American Society of Detroit’s annual banquet.
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OK, I have to admit I’m not lovin’ the color combination, but that’s only because I’m Danish and that blue/yellow combination is what one of our local soccerteams use – the team with the most hooligans and the most primitive men in Denmark…so I’m biased…other than that I like your choice of fabric and I am sure you’ll look great in it….Good luck with the speech, I am SURE you’ll do well, I think you’re the kind of person who’ll do well in whatever you decide to do….
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That’s my favorite so far. I’m such a sucker for color experimentation.On my flight home from Italy I was wearing blue knee socks, an orange skirt and a purpley-maroon sweater. It looked very chic (I thought) until I got to Newark, at which point I looked like a clown. I think colors are different in Europe. Or else I’m just color-impaired. Which is entirely probable.
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Henriette – surely Sweden has first dibs on that colour combo? 😛 That’s what it says to me – novelty dressing to match the flag. Like, for the Olympics or something. I’m damaged, what can I say.Felty wool… I’m not sure if I dig it. Hm. I think it depends.
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I really like that colour combination. Very smart looking and really jazzes up the blue.Patricia
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As a swede I would never wear this combo unless it was during the olympics or another major tournament!
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You know, if you said “peacock blue and mustard” to me, I would definitely say thumbs down. But seeing them together, I’m converted! Also, felty wool crepe sounds positively divine in this 10 degree weather (where I am). Lovely, as always. Good luck on the talk!
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I just finished sewing my first dress and it’s a duro. (though I used the simplicity pattern, not the McCalls) I think it’s a great pattern to start out with because there’s nothing fussy, no set in sleeves or anything. I’m already planning what fabrics to use for my next one.[oh, and I added pockets]
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I really love the color combo! I never thought of making one in wool, but now I must. I believe I will add pockets to mine too(as my dd above did), since I can’t always be wearing my apron.
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oh oh oh I almost forgot, will you be having any time to shop in Philly? Another one of my dd’s goes to University of the Arts and there is a fabric store closing with lots of pretty stuff(she went last Saturday).
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Thus proving Duros work for winter dresses as well as summer ones. I bet this is very flattering when worn. I love the longer ties. Your panel sounds like fun. My husband and I sent crossing emails to each other about this event, which features the blogger that I read every day and the blogger my husband reads every day. Have fun!
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I like the colors. Bright and cheerful for drerary winter days. Cute!
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Are you using McCalls 5137 for your Duro dresses? I just discovered it in the pattern books and now that I see your dress, it looks the same.I found a great big floral print to use for mine!
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Cindy, OMG,where is the fabric store which is closing? Is it Stapler’s? I don’t want to find out after it closes! Is it on Fabric Row? I know one of the shops there is closing 😦 . I’m trying to scratch together enough pennies for some of the silk brocades!
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Huh? There was a dress in that picture? I’m sorry, I was captivated by your dashing grandfather & the shelf of photos (who is that in the white frame, bottom row, red 2-pc. outfit, looking over the shoulder at camera? Is the subject in a bathing suit?)
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Although, I’m sure this combo would look lovely on you, it isn’t my style at all. Mustard colored fabric always reminds me of baby poo and the thought of wearing wool makes my menapausal body want to sweat just thinking of it. However, I adore the fabric on the chair. It would go perfect in my house. I love pink!
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Erin, I came close to buying the Mccall’s Duro pattern, but somehow the photo of the finished dress on the catalog page looked so voluminous! I did buy the New look blouse pattern http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=6620but wouldn’t you know its for stretch knits only, and nice ones are so hard to find! I am still very tempted to try the dress.
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I live in Philly-I’d love to come to the lecture because I love language and I would really like to see the dress in person! Now which fabric store is closing?Gina
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I will try to get my dd on the phone tonight and get the name of the store.
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I work at the FLP, and I have to admit, I’ve been wondering what you were going to wear to the lecture! Say what you will about the other panelists, but I haven’t given a second thought (or first, for that matter) to what they’ll show up in. Five dollars says all three in khakis and sensible collared shirts.kbj
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I like the color combination, what do you wear under it? It seems (perhaps misleadingly) a little low cut for 5 degree weather. Wrack my brains though I do, I can’t figure out what third color would complement these two. If you actually found a peacock or mustard cami or turtleneck, I’d love to know where! Knock ’em dead in Philly, Erin!
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Bani, oh yes, it says “SWEDEN!” to me as well, but the reason I’m not loving the colors is because of the primitive soccerteam from Denmark – Brndby….
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I love this dress–the Duro style, the fabric, even the colors. I started buying Duro style dresses a few months ago, not knowing that there was a name for the style. They are very flattering to my plus size body.BTW, I love your dresses generally. So much so, that I may just have to learn to sew!
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I’m thinking this fabric would make an excellent duro… in fact I’d have a hard time believing it wasn’t created for that exact purpose. With the bands in the coordinating cherry blossom print. It’s also available in red. But the confidence to wear a dress festooned with geishas? That has to come from within.
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No time to shop in Philly, sadly. I’m there less than 24 hours! Although if anyone wants to tell me that store, JUST IN CASE …I will probably wear a dark brown or black long-sleeved scoop-neck tee under this. I also have some stripey tights that have teal and mustard in them, but that may be Too Much. Thanks for the Scandinavian Warnings; I’ll be sure not to wear this in Denmark or Sweden! (I really, really love Denmark, though …)
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I find these dresses just lovely to look at. I have never worn one,but I am rethinking that as we speak. What is the draw, are they flattering to many body types? are they easy to make? Please someone enlighten me.
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The perfect day to wear your dress: 6th of june. Perfect weather, and it’s Swedens national holiday, so you have the perfect colours!!
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Actually, I quite like the color combination…In fact, my wedding colors were blue and yellow. Not the same shades, but these are just as nice together I think!
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I’ve just noticed this: does the yellow not go all the way around the neck?
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I like this dress!
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We’re the Eagles, the West Coast Eagles…..Perfect footy colours, with the preseason coming up soon makes me think how great that would be at Subiaco, especially at night games. too bad i’m a Dockers fan.
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