I think this boils down to obligation. A woman I used to work with makes a point of telling others that I am going to make a king sized quilt for her. I have NEVER offered to do this job - it is beyond my capabilities in the tiny spot I live in. I know she likes my work, but trying to commit my time and resources is not her responsibility. It has caused a rift in our friendship.
At one point, I probably would have made her a couch quilt as a present, but don't feel comfortable doing that, since she has already told all of our mutual friends a king-size fairy tale.
She's also a batik lover. Does the price of the fabric correlate to the amount of chutzpah involved?