I agree with others that this needs input from your wife. You need to know what type of sewing she wants to do. While I love my featherweight (and learned how to sew on one in high school) she needs to at least give you some advice. While at a sewing machine shop recently the repair person said that the Brother Project Runway (not sure of the model but has pink on the front) at around $350 is a real workhorse. It has other stitches and he says he never has to repair them like other machines. Just a suggestion