There is a nice Brother machine at Walmart for $199. has several different stitches and is a quilting machine...or check with sewingplus.com they have a lot of different machines , some on sale, for reasonable monthly payments...i started with my mothers 1968 White and still use it and also have a high dollar Janome 7700 machine so either way i get the job done...your wife should realize most people start small and go from there.....my husband has been very supportive and has also helped me pick our fabric and then my new machine...you deserve a pat on the back for the encouragement you give her....