The first vest

In my sewing marathon last Tuesday I started and almost finished this vest. I added buttonholes and buttons at home yesterday. I am still not so good at getting the buttons and holes exactly where I want them. I think this is a matter of marking as much as anything else, of doing a good job marking.

The vest was intended for my grandson, who wants to be a "mafia guy" for Halloween. Unfortunately, as I progressed in making it I realized it was not long enough for his long torso. The chest size was right and the waist okay but when I looked at it I was sure it was not long enough. So I called my daughter and she measured her son from shoulder to waist and that confirmed it.

I am now in the process of modifying the pattern to fit him. The bitch of it is that I could not find a pattern closer to his size. The pattern I got - and just about all of the others I found - is multi-sized for both men and boys. You'd think that would cover it but it doesn't. The boys' sizes are S, M, L, and the L is not large enough. But the small men's size is way too large. So I have decided to adjust just the length - and a tiny bit of the waist - and see how that goes.

I may have a problem with having enough fabric but I don't think so. I found two clothing items at the Goodwill Outlet last week, both of them pin-striped, one a pair of slacks and the other a suit jacket, and I think one way or another I will have enough. I only need enough of this fabric for the front, after all, just those two pieces. If I need to buy more black satin for the lining and back then so be it.

What tips did I garner from class Tuesday?

One in particular: you can make a dress form from duct tape and a large T-shirt. And some kind of stand, like a Christmas tree stand. This subject came up at lunch and it reminded me of the sculptures you can make with clear packing tape. I suppose packing tape would work for the dress form too, but duct tape is probably better for pinning. By the way, there are several videos on YouTube on how to make one of these.

Also: sharpening scissors: go to a knife shop, where they will sharpen them right there and do a good job. If you take your shears to a sewing store they will send them out.