depends on the pattern. if an all over non directional design in the fabric then I will square from selvedge to selvedge but if it has a pattern then I will cut according to the pattern even tho it won't be perfectly square. The fabric I have a problem with shops is wide fabric for backing. It is always cut then I loose sometime 6 inches on both ends when squared for the backing. I try to get the shop to tare the fabric. Usually they don't want to and say they add to compensate for it and then i point out they are loosing those inches