Questions, and a Good Find

According to pattern makers (Vintage and modern alike) I don't have a waist. I can't say that I would argue with them. For my bust measurement the waist is always too small, and for my waist measurement the bust is too large. I haven't decided if this means I'm too fat or too flat-chested yet... I'll get back to you.

So, when altering your patterns (I'm not the only one with this problem, right?) do you make the larger size and "shrink" the bust or make the smaller size and enlarge the waist?

Further, do you shrink/enlarge by taking in/out the side seams or do you fiddle with the darts?

I know, all these questions, I'm like a child.

My good find this weekend was at my local Goodwill for $3

I thought the retro (1976) book will go nicely with my vintage machine and vintage style... it's actually got some pretty good advice in it. Especially for someone who is entirely self/mother taught. My mother is a great sewist but not such a great teacher, I can remember such Socratic phrases as "no... you kind of have to turn it just a little... no not like that... here I'll do it..." and so on.

I hope to sew together the pieces of my "Summer Somthin" dress tomorrow and hem and finish it this weekend. *crosses fingers*