This has been going on for many years. I first noticed it when I was cutting pieces for a quilt and I didn't get enough across the width. A quick measure, and sure enough, it was only 40 inches wide. This was an "In the Beginning" quilt fabric purchased at a quilt shop while on a road trip. I called and had them send me more -luckily they still had some. I think that was at least 10 years ago.