It's really hard to make the right choice for someone else regarding a sewing machine. Perhaps sound her out and offer her a day of testing sewing machines, all the while letting her think it is for you. If she knows you are financing it, she may hold back to save you money. If she is thinks you need her advice, she may be more open. Make sure you both take along some fabric to sew on, not that stiff and super starched interfacing the dealers and repair people use to show how it sews. I would want to go to more than one dealer too. The personality at one place could make all the difference when it comes time to ask for help if a problem crops up.