IF you are looking for the "straight of grain" on the fabric, you can snip a piece and PULL A Thread. This will tell you where to cut. If a fabric looks really off I'll do this. Yes, sometimes, like tearing one end is much larger than another, as it' how they make it now. Digital prints are the worst.
Remember most fabrics are made in a foreign country by workers who don't care about quality. NOTHING is done well as in past times. I also find that I have to really watch things if I'm using a digital print as they are really stretchy - EVEN if they "claim" to be 100% Cotton. I now either starch the heck out of them or press a very thin stabilizer on the back.
Good news is we're not "YET" paying $25-$30 a yard for this same lower quality as many quilters in other country's are paying.