A sharing sewing tips thread

[storynanny]

I was struggling with part of dressmaking this evening and my oh said why don't you ask mumsnet! It made me think that maybe we could share our best sewing tips.
I use a very simple sleeveless shift dress pattern to make a couple of new dresses each summer, basically the dress plus lining sewn together, add zip, no need for facings. However because you leave the shoulder seams unstitched until the dress and lining are sewn together at neck and armholes, I can never get them matched up perfectly with neat lining. Any suggestions or tips for improving the finish of the shoulder seams or a better way of making up the dress?
My tip of the day is one I was given years ago by a professional and has proved very useful with 3 sons! When taking up jeans, hammer the thick side seams on a hard flat surface first, then they will machine easier.