"Instead of looking at who made a garment, look at how it was made to make sure you're getting what you're paying for."
HEMS: A good hem is double-stitched and invicible from the outside of the garment. A generous hem allowance is also a good sign.
SEAMS: All seams should lie straight without pulling or puckering and, preferably, be generous enough to let out if the need arises.
STITCHING: It should be secure and straight. Look for about eight to 12 stiches per inch.
LININGS: They should be made of smooth fabrics like rayon, acetate or silk. If the lining fabric is stiff, it will ruin the drape of the clothing.
BUTTONS. The buttons should match the garment, meet the buttonhole perfectly, be sewn on securely and, on heavier fabrics, reinforced with disks. Buttonholes should be perfectly finished, with no loose threads.
ZIPPERS: They should be hidden and dyed to match the garment. Pull them up and down a few times to make sure they work smoothly without snagging.
PATTERNS: Printed and woven patterns should match up on all seams. If it's a two piece outfit, patterns should always match up from piece to piece.
