I remeber the yard counting machines- there were advantages and disavantages- they often were not straight on the grain when they tore leaving you with 3 yrds at the snip and 2 3/4 at the bottom of the tear. If a thread in the fabric didn't tear right it left a run in the fabric. Rather cut it by hand. Always verify whatr the person behind the counter is measuring to be sure I don't end up paying for more then I got.