The Tailor Shop - revisited

Last December I accompanied Lorraine, Bob and Shaw to the tailor shop they had chosen out of literally dozens that line this one street in old Wuhan. It's about a 20 minute bus ride from the university and very close to both the Thanksgiving Church and the Catholic church I have attended. When I was there the first time in December I decided the ultimate "souvenir" would be to have a vest made so I could wear it when teaching in America. So, when I returned to China I hauled two living patterns: one vest and one blazer.

We returned with this mission in mind on my first Tuesday here in Wuhan. The two women who work with customers remembered me! (They remembered I had purchased material for my mother to make pillows!)

After some tea, and Shaw chatting in Chinese with them, we got down to business. I brought out my first item: a blazer. My well worn and loved Nordstrom blue blazer had died last year, so I removed the gold buttons and brought them to recycle here. After selecting the wool and silk lining, Shaw, the tough negotiator who never leaves any money on the table, went to work. Apparently the two women were very tough on him. (As a female, I must confess I was proud of them since they were tough.) He told Bob and me, let's wait till the man returns to the shop, he's easier! Well, we did and he did get the price down a bit.

Next, I pulled out of my backpack the vest I brought. I found the green fabric I loved so much in December and pulled it out. Then, I looked to find a silk pattern that matched what a friend of mine had described. Eureka! But then, I thought. Hum...why not get another one done and make it three so I grabbed a blue pattern I liked as well. Shaw began his negotiations on the second round.

After agreeing on the price, writing all the details down, taking snips of the cloth and attaching them to the bill of sale, we also agreed on the delivery date.

This Monday we returned to retrieve the goods.

All I can say is...AMAZING workmanship! As I tried on my new Nordstrom replacement jacket I couldn't help but think how it was even better than the original. Out of the corner of my eye I saw them watching me examine it in the mirror, so I gave a little dance and the two ladies broke into gales of laughter.

Next, the vests made their appearance and as I tried each one on—black/red, green and blue—I motioned for the two women to pose with me and Shaw captured the moment on my digital camera. They were very excited!!! Now, I have three silk vests (Kate: yours has a black background with red and gold Chinese writing that, according to Shaw the Chinese historian, is what's written on the inside of the Xian tombs) Each one has three traditionally crafted fasteners that are called Pan Co (Round bottom, according to Jessie my TA who examined them today) which are constructed with one piece of fabric. It takes about an hour to create three of these fasteners per vest.

As I tried each one on, I thought...hum, I like Kate's vest, too. So at the conclusion of our business I asked for a second black/red one. (Kate, hope you don't care we'll look like twins!) They were happy to comply for the same price.

For those who are wondering the cost for these items, I'll share.

Bear in mind I had Shaw, the master of negotiation, arrive at the price. So, I am completely certain there's no way I could have arrived at this price myself. The total for one wool blazer with silk lining and four inside zippered pockets and two inset exterior pockets; three silk vests with two inset pockets on the outside and one inset pocket in the silk lining on the inside: 640 RMB ($80). Not bad for a wonderful, practical souvenir of my two months living here in China!