I am on a VERY fixed income. I now grow most of my fresh veggies, have cut meat buying to i/4th and thank God every day for my stash. I don't buy any fabric not on sale or with a coupon.
We meet at JoAnn's twice a month for ASG and it is hard to leave the store without SOMETHING to add to my stash, but leave I do. Many of my fellow sewers are in the same boat and are starting to trade fabric. It's a great way to get rid of " WHY did I buy THAT." One gal's junk is always another's treasure.
Sometimes when we can't find that one color or piece, we take a sample to the meeting and ask if anyone has something that will work. You'd be surprised how often something turns up and the girls are always happy to share.
No, I don't think hand quilting is a dying art. Like other arts, it too will evolve into something else. Look at all that early hand made furniture. It's beautiful but would you want to make all your furniture by hand today? Just because it's machine made doesn't mean it's any less beautiful.