For me I would have to feel the fabric. I don't buy fabric by brand, I buy it by feel. This is called the hand of the fabric. I feel for texture and drape -- different pieces of fabric from the same company can feel vastly different so I don't just focus on a single brand. This is why I am hesitant to buy fabric online unless I am very sure what I am getting (Kona cotton and batiks from name brand companies are a couple I will buy on line).