We all use time limits as an excuse to not do things that are not a high priority. The woman in question used working as a excuse to not quilt because she doesn't really want to quilt. If she did, she would make the time and drop another activity.
There are lots of things I don't do because I work. I do the things that are really important to me, but if I had another 8-10 hours free a day, I would add some other things I can't do now.
It's a matter of priority - we do what's most important to us in the time we have.