Since the MIL and SIL don't want to go in on the cost of the machine I would buy her the one that you think is best and make sure she knows it's from you. You can tell her that you want to make sure she has a proper sewing machine to learn on, and you would love to teach her how to sew and work on the machine. I made the mistake of buying a cheap machine when I started quilting, and got so frustrated and fed up with the machine I didn't want to quilt anymore. Then my husband bought me my Bernina and I was a happy sewer again.