How to choose your fabric

Look at the fabric before you buy it. I mean REALLY look at it. Are the edges of the fabric fraying? Are they rolling? Either of these behaviors will make the fabric more difficult to handle while sewing. T-shirt knit and velvet(een) both roll badly and are a hand-full to sew. Does the fabric seem to wrinkle easily? Are there fabric care instructions on the bolt? Before you buy the fabric, make sure you know how to take care of it.