I try to purchase an extra 1/8 yd because I have to wash all fabric before I use it (allergies). I can loose several inches after washing and then squaring up before making any sub-cuts. There is a new JoAnn's in my area and one of the cutters told a customer that it is company policy to cut off fabric at the beginning of a bolt if it is obivously not straight because they have to account for those inches--this is ridiculous in my opinion. When I heard this I put down the bolt I was going to purchase and left. Don't shops realize that they should make certain the customer is getting what they are paying for--cotton is going through the roof and we can't afford to always purchase more than we need just to insure that we get the yardage needed for a project.