"I've tried:
Stitching forward a bit, then lifting the needle and presser foot, moving the material back a bit, lowering the foot and stitching over the beginning again.
Stitching forward then lifting the foot and turning the material around and stitching back to the beginning then turning it around again.
Starting in from the beginning, then turning the material and stitching to the beginning then turning it again and retracing my stitches."
This is back and forth to me. Maybe I'm not understanding what you mean. But, yes, your wife is right.