Mason helped businesses organize the regional sewing expo to educate a hungry audience of sewing and fiber arts enthusiasts and to strengthen the market for sewing-related goods. An expert with needle and thread herself, she used her networking and administration expertise to get the first festival off the ground in 1995. Since then, attendance has grown from 150 participants to more than 400.

Mason attributes this momentum to a growing interest in quilting, sewing and other fiber arts all over the state.

"Many of the smaller communities don’t offer much in sewing classes or shopping for fabrics,” she said. "The variety of classes at the festival draws a diverse audience."

There are nearly 100 classes to choose from. Classes are taught by a featured national presenter each year, as well as regional and local experts and educators from manufacturers like Bernina and Husqvarna Viking.

Laura Heine, a nationally recognized quilter, fabric designer and owner of Fiberworks in Billings, teaches a machine quilting class that fills quickly, said Mason. Other classes range from home decorating techniques to machine embroidery.

At the festival’s merchant mall, purveyors of all things sewing sell their wares, and style shows invite creative thread-heads of all ages to show off their stitching savvy and win prizes in competitions ranging from quilts to formals.

Mason coordinates the event with a committee of about ten individuals from sewing related businesses. The process works, said Mason because the committee is involved and works hard together.

"Businesses definitely see an economic impact from doing this," said Mason.

She said area businesses report that the visitors who travel to the festival shop heavily in their stores during the event and return for follow-up purchases throughout the year. Small businesses that go to Billings to exhibit at the merchant mall have said it gives them a chance to market to buyers they might not otherwise reach.

Libby Stanhope, who owns the Silver Thimble in Bozeman brings her wools and novelty fabrics and patterns just to advertise in that area of the state.

"People call me and ask me to ship them something or they may come in six months later and say, I took your class, or I saw your fabric," said Stanhope.

The festival is a social event, as well, said Mason. "This is so much fun. That’s why we keep doing it."

Brochures for the 2006 Rocky Mountain Sewing Festival, Sept 28 through 30, are now available in sewing related businesses and MSU Extension offices throughout the state. For more information, visit the Yellowstone County MSU Extension office Web site or call (406) 256-2828.