Acoustic Guitar Construction

I measured the side length with a dressmaker's tape to be 28 inches from the center at the neck to the center at the heel. How much 'overhang' should I add to the mold to allow for comfortable bending? My aluminum slat that I'll be screwing to the mold is 36 inches long, so I have a lot of leeway in my materials, but I have no idea of how much is enough, and whether any bad things happen when I allow for more than the needed amount.

Thanks very much.

Our forms are exactly half profiles. Our side blanks are about 34"

Thanks, Ken. No benefit associated with over-thinking.