Regarding the machine being a free-arm, I find it easier to do the hems flat-bed & stitch inside the leg instead of wrapped around that free-arm. But, with your wife doing that much sewing, she knows what she wants. Jennie at Sew Classic talks about hems using flat-bed versus free-arm on her website. One machine that comes to mind right away is a Kenmore 148.15600. You can read a review of the 1560 at Stitchnerd or Stitch Nerd. All metal gears, 1 Amp, free-arm, front loading, oscillating hook, low shank foot, etc. The worst part of finding free-arm machines in thrift stores is that the removeable bed is often missing.