Well, I just have to add my two cents worth here. It is great that lots of you like the FW's, Pfaff's and the like, but his wife needs to find one machine that fits her needs. When I first went to look for a new machine many moons ago, I went to a Sewing Machine & Vacumn Center that carried just about every brand out there. I sat and played with just about all of them. That gave me the feel for each brand, easy of operation and understanding of how they worked. I settled on the one that for me was easy to use, sewed nice and felt just right. There were other machines less expensive but my Janome 6004 & I just clicked. So that is what his wife needs to do, specially for a first time sewing machine, after a little experience she will know if she needs more in a machine. And that is all I have to say about that!!!!