One by One you raise an interesting point...I think women in general and makers in particular (and probably quilters most of all) are expected to be thrifty to the max: even if that impairs their ability to make the art they want to make.
You hear it less now but when I started quilting every second post on a chat board was about avoiding "waste". No one criticizes painters for making field sketches and "wasting" paint and paper. Why quilters? To this day when I hear "no waste" as an accolade it puts my teeth on edge (current fabric prices notwithstanding!).
The other thing that I had happen a few times were private messages from older quilters who warned me to build a big stash before retirement because after that, no room would be made in the budget for fabric/quilting purchases. These were women older than myself, of a generation given no access to the marital discretionary spending capital. And I had to admit, my own husband was not happy at first that I had taken up such a frumpy hobby, let alone one that cost money. Mercifully he gets it now.
But. I have built a VERY large stash!!! I will lay in some of those Headley blades as well : )