ISO a good tailor in NYC or Westchester

[Fletch]

Anyone in my area have a good craftsperson to alter (not custom-make) vintage or modern vintage-style suits? I have several that need sizing up or down to my current 42R, and I'm shy about taking them to just anyone.

I don't require a full-whack bespoke house. What I do need is someone who:

1. Speaks and understands English well. My NY tailors in the past have routinely skipped over certain jobs, usually involving details like vents or buttons. I hope it was because they couldn't understand me verbally.
2. Is flexible. What I mean is s/he won't grumble about taking in back seams because it's easier to move buttons waaay in, or talk me out of a 1 3/4" cuff because the standard is 1/2" narrower.
3. Is at least competitively priced. I'm willing to pay what it takes for good hand work in this locality, but I'm thru getting soaked. Especially by people who flunk on counts 1 and 2.
4. Has at least some experience with vintage styles. I may compromise on this one if 1, 2 and 3 are "go," because I can usually tell them what I want.

And please, fellas...don't bother telling me that I've got to go to Tailor X because everyone else is a slipshod stumble-bum. If that's your conviction, you're entitled to it, but I can't possibly trust such advice.

I thank you all in advance...

 

[Senator Jack]

Here in Astoria there's elderly Greek man who was a tailor in Athens in the 50s/60s, so he knows well-made vintage. By far, he is the best tailor I've gone to for alterations in this city. He doesn't grumble about work, but he will tell you what can and can't be done. ('Not possible, my friend,' he may say, but then he'll explain why it's not possible, and it's never because it's too much work.) The only thing I can't seem to get him to do is to taper, ('You don't need, my friend') but he will cuff in any width you want. I haven't had him tear the back seam out of a jacket yet, but he did open the side seams of a vest for me. I believe he charged me $25 for that job. The most I've ever paid for a job is $75 and that was to have new lining sewn into a jacket. (He even sewed the original label back in.)

He works at a drycleaner here and keeps random hours, but if you're interested, I'll get you the telephone number and you can find out when he'll be in.

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[Fletch]

Bump...and thanx Senator

Surprised no more responses. Maybe NYers want to keep their tailors a secret...If you could please PM me that cleaner's number, I'd be grateful to you.