I have not read all the post so I don't know if this has been suggested already or not, but I would look at the Kenmore's from Sears or the Janomes. There is a variety of price ranges so you would be able to pick a machine that is affordable to you. If this is your wife's first machine, I would consider one that is more modern and user friendly. I love the Featherweight, I have two of them. I also have a Janome 6500 which I love. An Elna of the same quality and about three other vintage machines. The Brother machine that you mentioned might be a good machine, I have a smaller Brother's (don't know the model number right off) but it feels like a toy compared to my Janome and Elna. Just food for thought. Merry Christmas.