I am making a log cabin quilt and the outermost strips, I seem to have to cut more of. I just found out. DH has been cutting the strips. I thought the fabric was 45" but it isn't. It's 42. Ok, but not even an exact 42. Has anyone else noticed this with fabric?

Usually, a person should only figure that you have 40 inches of usable fabric. Different bolts from the same manufacturer can vary in width.

I count on 40" usable. If extra, it can go into my scrappy pile for crumb blocks.

Yes, and since some selvedges are wider than other's, it is better most times to figure on 40" of usable widths :D:D:D

i design all my quilts using 40 inches this way i never under buy for a design.

Yep, I usually count on 40-42" usable. Never 45. Even IF the fabric comes in that wide, the selvage needs to come off.

I don't think I ever had one 45". I think the patterns used to say 42-45" fabric. I'll have to pay attention from now on. I noticed FQ's are getting skimpy

I used to count on 42" usable, not any more.
Some fabrics have good width then you notice the selvage comes way into the fabric.

I had never thought about the widths until last week. I bought some estate fabric, washed it and used my ruler to fold it. It was then I realized some of the fabric is 35-36 inches in width. Gee that must be really old fabric. Last time I remembered it being that narrow was in the 1960s.

I have not seen a true 45 in a long time ..