I read the questions and thought "Not me".
I am close in age.
Have 'almost' always had a dedicated sewing space/room.
$8500 for tools and supplies I do not meet.
As I have been reading the responses the years of buying, using, inheriting, buying, using kept running through my mind. I could never remember all the quilts I have made. Each trip for purchases would average from $50 to $150. If it is $50, do the math. $8500 divided by 50 = 170 trips for purchashes. I know I have been sewing at least 21 years. Could be longer. 8500 divided by 21 is $404. a year. I am amazed that I may well have met more of their statistics than I gave myself credit for. Then you move on to the value of the 'inherited or value earned by thrift shopping'. If the fabric's market value is $10 a yard and you work to find it for a discount, you still have the full market value in your closet. I think that counts.
Well, how about all that. Maybe I am not as broke as I always thought I was. :lol: