A dying art ?? Don't think so !!
I've been quilting for 20+ years and I see more people quilting than ever before - the economy doesn't seem to be hurting the quilting business ! There are Quilt shows all over the USA and overseas, there are more quilt shops, websites, fabrics, books & patterns coming out all the time ...
The largest Quilt show in the US is held here in Houston each year. The International Quilt Festival is in its 35th Year here - it averages more than 50,000 people in just 4 days of show. It's the Mecca for Quilters ! If you've never been, you need to come !!
Quilting is a $3-4 BILLION dollar industry (annual) - definitely NOT a dying art or craft :)