Tailor 
Striving
We thought it before the style of cheongsam is similar, and tailors just need to sew it by the size measured from the customers. After interviewing Master Chen, we found it is not only need to be engrossed in work, but also need to revise and confirm with customers all the time in the process of sewing cheongsam.
Master Chen told us although the essential factors of cheongsam are stationary, there are many variations, such as collar or open front. Master Chen draw down these different designs in his spare time to remind himself and be a reference to customers while they were booking their cheongsams.
Master Chen draw the cheongsam style in paper
On the aspect of pattern making, Master Chen said that tailors usually design pattern and cut down the cloth, but if the pattern makes mistakes, it is irrevocable. Master Chen started to make paper pattern, and let the customers to try on paper pattern to check everything is all right. Then, he sewed cheongsam by the paper pattern to reduce the opportunities to make mistakes.
Master Chen's manuscripts are as exquisite as computer graphics
When we asked Master Chen whether he had difficulties when he sew cheongsam, Master Chen said with a smile “Of course! What I can do is just crying, and try to solve it after crying.” In the conversation, Master Chen showed that even he met problems, he always do his best to solve them. Master Chen told us tailors need to deal with different fabrics in different ways. For example, costumers used cotton to make cheongsam, but use rayon more often nowadays. Rayon is easier to water shrinkage than cotton. Therefore, customers sometimes make mistake Master Chen to cut corners in sewing cheongsam. To prevent misunderstanding, Master Chen will check with customers every details before making cheongsam based on past experiences.
In the interview with Master Chen, we found Master Chen is not a guy persisting in his views, rather than considering carefully with other’s opinion, and improved himself. Master Chen said jokingly “There are no reference books about making cheongsam, and all inspiration comes from my thought, and my thought comes from rice wine.” We can find that Master Chen’s practiced skills of making cheongsam came from adjusting gradually, and always trying to do the best.
Master Chen said making costume is similar with cheongsam, but there are still some differences. The customs emphasize cuffs and color. For example, while doing the glove in "The Assassin", Master Chen thought the gloves are not aggressive enough, so he told the problem with Huang Wen-Ying to finalize the manuscript of gloves together.
Master told us “While we met something we were not familiar, we should find the help from other, but we can’t just follow other’s advice. We should think thoughtfully, and adjust ourselves to do the job.”
From the interview with Master Chen, we can find that good skills are not only constantly working, but also need to review whether there is a better way and adjusting ourselves. Master Chen always works hard to improve himself, and that is why he is doing a wonderful job!
Master Chen is continuously self-adjusting the process of making cheongsam
