After reading most of these comments I measured the flannel I purchased at J-A in January and the flannel I purchased yesterday at W-M. All of the pieces, thankfully, are 44-45 wide - however some of them do have selvages almost 1" wide. Luckily I am making a flannel rag quilt and using part of the selvage will not be a problem. I agree with others who have said it will just be easier to purchase 1/2 yard and cut it to make fat quarters. I wonder if the authors of future pattern books will take into account the "new" measurements?