Uh, can that really belong to just one person? The building is so large it almost looks like the remains of a fabric store that closed. Wow! Bet you could find fabrics that are older patterns and just what you need a bit more of it to finish something.

Rather than finding fault with the verbiage, I prefer to “see” an older couple with the husband finding pleasure in seeing his wife enjoy her hobby. That kind of wording is just a sign of the generation, not an indication of an oppressive husband.
My thought is the stash was left over after a shop closed.