In the Dance world, congresses are basically a convention where you take dance classes all day and evening, then watch performances by the pros, and finally social dance all night into the wee morning hours (like until 4-7AM). It's a wild time and there are lots of great classes and dancers.

In the Latin Dancing world, there tends to be the LA Style salsa congresses and the Cuban/Timba congresses. There are also some specialized ones for Bachata and Kizomba that appear when more dancers of or studios teaching those styles reside in the region.

I recently attended the Seattle Salsa Congress which is a mash up of LA Salsa, Cuban Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba. There were so many great classes and I had a blast social dancing with all my friends. I love the dance community.

Ran into my talented friend James.

Below we were in Juan Matos class.

Below taking Sergio and Marichu's Bachata class as Daniel and Deseree sadly were denied entry by customs! But Sergio and Marichu were amazing too! We learned a crazy wild dip!

The dance floor at 4 AM in the Bachata room. Still going strong!

Maykel Fonts below left taught some really fun Rumba routines (Cuban Style) and I adored Mouaze Konate from Paris and his Mambo class. Have you ever taken a class from someone and felt you instantly understood whatever they taught, no matter what language they spoke? That's how I felt meeting Mouaze (said like the sound you make for a kiss -- mwa sa). 

It was my friend Cam's birthday. You know suitable party photos ensue. 

There were some great shoes! I wish I'd taken the time to try some on, but I found these gorgeous compression leggings from Brazil that went home with me instead. You know they must be good if I purchased ready to wear clothing! ;) 

The day congress started, I gave myself a couple hours at home to sew up a pair of compression leggings. I used some lovely compression fabric from Sportek (love them & their customer service!). This is the 2nd time I've used it. The first time, I made a pair of black leggings. Loved them so much that I wanted another color.  I squeezed these out of 1 yard and had some left over for bits of a sports bra. Yay!  They work out to be around mid shin length, sort of a pedal pusher. Which I love. Next time, I'll order a yard and a half or yard and a quarter and make them full leggings. 

The only challenge I have is the rippling that still occurs when feeding through the walking foot and topstitching the seams. Maybe I'll try washaway stabilizer tape next time. Any suggestions?

I really like every fabric I've purchased from Sportek. I found them when seeking compression fabrics. I have one other one to try and then I'll be posting a 3 fabric comparison in my standard legging pattern (the one below) which is a pull on pant at zero (0) ease that I've folded out 2" negative ease per piece (2" from front leg, 2" from back leg) to create a negative ease in the garment. The folding was a "let's see what happens when I do this" experiment that has served me quite well! 

I even used my self-drafted leg gusset pattern. You'll note, it's not a traditional gusset because I kept the crotch curve. But it works really well!   

You'll also notice the satin stitch on the center back. That's my own way of differentiating front from back. Sure, my front crotch curve is super short compared to my back crotch curve. But you know what? I get dressed in semi-dark lighting a lot of times or in a hurry. So if I have something that I can sense by feel and not have to look, then it makes dressing easier and I don't have to add a label! I just mark evenly on both sides of the center back seam. :) 

Do you attend conferences? What's your favorite subject?
Have you used any great compression fabrics? Love to know some other sources and athlete favorites!

If you're looking for a special, high quality, long lasting product, I highly recommend that you take the time to wander through or seek out the expertise of the wonderful team at Nancy's Sewing Basket in Seattle, WA. 

​Even if you're not in the Seattle Metro area, if you call, they will help you with a mail order. I did this one time with bra wires. They were the only game in town that I found who carried any underwires. ​They talked me through sizing. I gave lengths, widths, and they measured the wires. Then I paid for it all over the phone and in a few days I had lovely French Underwires in my mailbox. 

Nancy's is located on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. It's just off of Aurora Ave, also known as 99.  You will have to go through neighborhoods whether you get there from 99 or from I-5. Either way, it's worth the trip. Besides, when you're done you can walk down to Cafe Ladro and get a cup of joe. I HIGHLY recommend the Medici - a not-super-sweet mocha with fresh orange peel zested into the cup. It's outstanding!  Then, you can walk across the street and try Storyville. After that, you can walk down and try Metropolitan Market for coffee or better yet - for their salts and ready-made foods and other gourmet items. Then have dessert at the little chocolate shop and any other number of amazing coffee shops or restaurants. Queen Anne is a lovely little place. 

I just love that Nancy's was showing vintage playsets, including one fromDecades of Style! They are an excellent resource for independent sewing patterns.  Years and years ago, they were my go-to for LaFred patterns after meeting her at Sew Expo. I really liked that I could physically look at the pattern.  They also carry Burda Style in-print, a rather large rack of them. So exciting!  They definitely set themselves apart as a high quality resource. 

If you see in the reflection, there's a burgundy awning across the street, that's a great Thai restaurant. So, there's another fun option when you exhaust yourself from fabric shopping.  There used to be a yarn shop across the street which meant it was a double joyful visit, but sadly they closed years ago. Can you tell I am a long time customer? So is my mom! We love Nancy's. 

When you enter, lower left is filled with Bridal and Special Occasion fabrics to die for! Oh and those brightly colored sheer cotton lawn's you see wash up beautifully! I've a couple calling my name in my stash.

The walk up the stairs is filled with joy and excitement, "What will I see here today? What new garment of deliciousness have they made? I wonder what's in the Ribbon Room..."  Patterns are up and to the right. Counter is up to the left. Ribbon room in the back right. Notions back left. 

Here in the pattern area (we are now facing the opposite direction of the above photo), they always have either an interesting project or some wonderful bits and bobs. Just look at these lovely leather pieces!

I hadn't thought to use their cute selection of ribbons and some mesh to make a lingerie bag, but it's genius! 

On this visit to Nancy's I happened upon their new and growing selection of lingerie fabrics.  I had called about a year ago asking for underwires, since they're the only game in town (Seattle) who was carrying them. I was tickled to find they carried Power Mesh, which I promptly used in this dance top.

And look! Decades of style patterns all made up! How delightful is that? 

If you visit Nancy's for nothing other than the ribbon room, it's worth it. Vintage findings like flowers and lace alongside some of the most gorgeous embroidered ribbons and rich silks are so divine. This is the closest thing I've seen in the Seattle area to the button and ribbon shops I visited in the NYC Garment District in the 90's. Though, there's really great light in the Ribbon room compared to the Garment District shops I visited.

Just LOOK at those vintage sweet peas! If only I had a project in mind. Right below the mirrored cabinet are a nice selection of fold over elastics. Not the cheap flimsy kind, but nice quality, unusual ones. That's why I go, because I know whatever I buy there is excellent quality, the staff is extremely knowledgable, and it will be a classic addition to my garment sewing. 

You'll also notice the ribbon embroidery samplers on the wall. They offer classes on how to create those. 

Have you been to Nancy's Sewing Basket? What's your favorite purchase? What did you like the most?