How do you know when something is seconds? And what exactly does seconds mean in the fabric world? The print is off? The colors aren't quite right?
And other than checking to see how opaque a fabric is, and that it feels good... any tips for selecting the good stuff when shopping at a chain? I haven't bought too much fabric from the chains yet (only been quilting a few months) but I did notice when I prewashed some flannels I bought from Hancock, the edges frayed much worse than flannels purchased at LQSs. The stuff from Hancock also seemed thinner, and pilled up quite a bit after multiple washings. And a few of the cottons I have worked with from Hancock and JoAnn seem to fray more easily.