Sewing Expo Outfit

Last weekend, I went to the Rocky Mountain Sew Expo. It's billed a "Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival." That's definitely a descending order description, as the expo was mostly quilting, some crafting, and only a little sewing. The place was filled with quilt creations of every imaginable type, which I enjoyed seeing even though I'm not a quilter. Most of the clothing was what I'd call "wearable art" -- store-bought clothing with appliques, embroidery, decorative stitching and/or other stuff added to it. I like recons as much as the next gal; in fact, I picked up an idea or two to try, but I have to say I was a little disappointed with the lack of booths featuring from-scratch fashion sewing.

I wore my typical outfit -- black tee, homemade skirt, black tights and black boots. Instead of my usual cardigan, I wore a vest because I knew I'd be too hot in a room filled with people.

I thought I might get a compliment or two on my skirt; it was a sewing expo, after all. But I was totally unprepared for all the attention I got. I was barely through the gate when I got the first compliment. Everywhere I went, I could hear people remarking on my skirt or my outfit. At least a dozen people complimented me directly. It was surreal. I was surrounded by people who quilt, craft or sew (or at least have an interest in quilting, crafting or sewing), and they were going nuts over a basic cotton skirt.

Though most of this outfit is in heavy rotation, I rarely wear the vest because (and you'll be shocked to hear this) it's too short in the torso. I know that nobody notices, but it bugs me.

The vest was a chance find at an odd store in the outlet mall. I liked it so much, I bought it despite the fit issue. It's made of a comfortable stretchy fabric that does not wrinkle, and the buttons are nifty. Best of all, it has a detachable white ruffle which is ingeniously attached by a series of buttons inside the vest.

buttons all around the inside of the vest

white ruffle buttoned in

ta-da! vest with ruffle attached

I get the look of a ruffled blouse without an extra layer that would make me too hot.

I should wear this vest more often, but first I need to sew some of the buttons back on. Because the vest is too short, I'm constantly pulling it down. I've managed to yank off the buttons along the bottom, leaving the ruffle hanging unattached. :P