I try to remember to check the grain lines before buying fabric now.
Along with that, I try to remember to check to see if a horizontal stripe or design follows a thread or if it wanders off. One-fourth inch "offness" over the width of a fabric is comparatively "good"
The older I get, the less inclined I am to fight with something that is very wonky.
(My family is sufficiently "wonky" to deal with)