After being married for 13 years we compromise, I learned to hand applique so that I can sit and "pretend" to watch tv with the husband every night. On nights that we do not have time together I have noticed he is grumpy the next day. So it works for both parties.
Now if I have something I really really want to work on in the sewing room, I rent/buy him a new video game and I can disappear for hours without him ever noticing.