Description Child's vest handmade by Susan A. Mackay. The vest has a check pattern with black-and-green vertical lines and black-and-red horizontal lines. The lining fabric is blue.
Historical Notes Boston, Massachusetts, native Susan Mackay lived in Westford with her husband, Douglas, and their two school-age children. An accomplished seamstress, Susan used her skills to sew linens and garments and made her career as a fashion executive. She was a senior vice president for TJX Companies. On September 11, Susan boarded Flight 11 with six coworkers for a business trip to Los Angeles. She was 44 years old.
Curator's Comment Susan Mackay planned her looks from head to toe, including coordinated nail polish. She started making her own clothes in seventh grade and soon began dressing her six younger siblings. Although fashion became part of her professional life as a senior vice president for clothing store TJ Maxx’s parent company, she continued to sew at home. When Susan’s youngest sister could not find her ideal wedding dress, Susan created one for her. Susan sewed clothes for the whole wedding party, including this vest worn by one of the boys in the wedding. HIDE