The currency has basically 'even' for a number of years so it has stopped being a real factor these days.
The US was going to go metric at one point but there was such push back that it never happened. It also dawned on the powers that be that it would cost a lot to change the system - all new traffic signs and mileage markers in meters, new gas pumps that measure in liters, new scales in kilos, new odometers and spedometers in cars, etc. That's probably what really killed the idea.
Regarding fabric, I would prefer to get 3 less inches and pay half or one-third of the cost. ;) I have a cottage in Canada so spend lots of time there and don't know how you guys afford to quilt at all. I love finding a quilt shop up there but can almost never bring myself to buy anything.