Everyone here is right on. It doesn't matter what the hobby/craft/profession is, the skill is in the person, not the tools. Good tools do make the job easier but what is really needed? Personally I like antiques and have pretty much fallen in love with vintage sewing machines.
If your wife likes antiques see if you can find an old machine she can test drive the next time you are together. She might find a lot of joy in using that vintage machine like I and many others here on this forum do. Singer model 15s and thier clones are highly thought of for both piecing and free motion quilting. Singer 201s were THE CADILLAC of the sewing world for many years. You've read many recommendations for Singer model 221 and 222 featherweights as well. They're beautiful machines and on my wish list. I have a Singer model 66 that I love, I bought it for $20 less than a month ago. The going rate for the featherweights seems to be around $250, the others can be had in good shape for far less. You don't need to spend thousands or even hundreds of dollars for a high quality machine. Many beautiful quilts were made with nothing more than these basic machines way before anyone had heard of a long arm machine.
Rodney