When I worked at a fabric store I was told that the profit was in the last 3" of a yard. Rent,salaries,utilities, warehouse,etc cost the first 33". We gave a thumb's width extra. Panels, plaids, etc were cut one layer at a time. JoAnn fabric department supervisor told me they are required to cut the exact amount. When they stretch trim so the measurement is short, I have a supervisor remeasure the piece and recut.