I think my biggest rule of making a garment not look home made, is the "well pressed is half sewn" saying. I abide by it, press every seam and press probably mroe than I have to.
Especially making a lot of jeans for myself, the need to press and press is crucial. (http://snuzalsews.blogspot.com/2010/10/34-jeans-talk-about-happy.html latest jeans on my blog. ignore the wee pull at the top of my zip, I get it on RTW jeans too.. to do with button placement I think)

Now I'm off to read how to cover snaps, what a cool idea.

What fabulous zips! I'll have to go check those sites out. I discovered www.zipperstop.com lately, and just LOVE it.

snuzalsews.blogspot.com

Well I just have to join in and say I LOVE this. I make a lot of pants, and this is my TNT method of putting a flat fly front zip in. I don't use the video now, but will ALWAYS use this technique, why pattern companies make their instructions so complicated, I'll never know.

Fab tutorial

Should also add I've done this with a few patterns, and it's perfect. I really enjoy doing it, as it costs so much here to buy a pattern.

You can also download most big brand (simplicity, vogue, butterick, etc etc etc) and print them from www.sewingpatterns.com :o)

This is such a fabulous tutorial. I used it once a couple of days ago when making a coat, and will be doing the same tomorrow for another coat. Loving it!