I agree that she should be involved in the choice of the machine. As much as I make my family listen to me talk about sewing and quilting, unless I said " get this machine", they would have no idea what to get me - even with the good advice of this board!! Plus, Mom may even want to throw a few more bucks in the pot to get a really good machine. Or she may just want to keep the machine she has. And use that money for LA services of something. You guys sound very generous and she's lucky to have you!!