I agree, too. Especially with "when 'good enough' was left the way it was. It did bother me but not quite enough to do it over."
As I've said here before, it annoys me that I don't have a 1/4 foot and have to move the needle to acquire it, or put strips on the bed of my machine. I, too, pay attention to grain lines. Crooked fabric is a lesson in frustration and, I think, a bad product, and I just prefer not to use it.....if I catch it in time.
"right from the start" is an excellent rule of thumb. The English, I believe, say: "Start as you mean to go on." The same thing, really. I also prefer not to fudge; it's always a reminder that I didn't do something right in the first place.
Great post, bearisgray!