How about a surpise shopping trip for the day and let her pick out the machine herself. Line up a sitter and have all the shops mapped out and just let her play at each shop. I would have loved that when our boys were small!

BTW, I have an Elna and it sews thru leather! Its quite a workhorse :)

I agree with letting her pick out her own machine. How about making her a hand made Gift Certificate for $1000 with a note on it to go shopping for the sewing machine of her choice. If my husband bought me a machine without my knowledge, I would probably be highly disappointed as it may have some options on it that I don't care to have and it may be missing some other things that are essential to me. My priorities are Needle Up/Needle down, needle threader, and the needle position button that moves the needle from side to side to the position I want it in. As far as stitches, I usualy only do piecing so I really onl need straight stitch and zigzag. All those extra stitches just make the machien cost more and I don't use them. Good luck.

I sew with a Janome 6600 and absolutely love it. It certainly can handle anything I put under the needle, including my finger! I found a great used one at a dealer for $1000

If it is for thicker quilts I would look at a vintage Singer 201. It has a nice big opening and can stitch through thick stuff.

For a newer machine I would look at the Janome 6500 or 6600. My husband got it for me as a surprise for one of my birthdays and I love it. He made sure the dealer would take it back if I did not like it.

Ditto here - though not the finger! Yeowch! If you call around to various dealers in your area, you might be able to find one for around $1000, about half off MCRP. Wonderful machine.

However, please consider which dealers you have in your area! That can make a big difference when it comes time to service the machine. For example, we have lots of local Bernina dealers, some Viking, some Janome, but no Juki within about a four hour drive, so I wouldn't personally purchase a Juki.

I agree with the others or buy or a higher end used machine :)

I swear that my Singer 66 can go through anything.. I think it is indestrucable. The price won't put a dent in your wallet, either..

My DH almost bought me a new machine a number of years ago. I'm so glad he didn't. The one he was going to purchase was LOTS more $$ than I would have spent and did lots more things than I wanted. I ended up buying a Viking Platinum for about $1200 at the time. So far the only thing it hasn't handled was repairing the binding/welting on a boat canvas. I've hemmed jeans and sewn sheer curtains with it. I don't machine quilt my quilts but it does all of my piecing with no problem. I agree with the others suggesting taking your wife for a shopping trip. Let her pick out the machine of her choice. And she may want to wait for a while to see what type of quilting she evolves into liking best.

http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...e-reviews.html This has some reviews on it that may help.

I bought, 7 years ago, an Elna 7200 for £900/$1400 and although it has been, and still is a fabulous machine, I would never buy a modern one again. I prefer the stability, durability and dependability of the older machines. Although your wife's first quilt was made from Jeans/Denim I doubt that she will be making heaps more so what you need to do is to go for a good all-rounder machine for quilting.

All makes of machines up to the late 70's were manufactured to a very high standard, were made from metal with a minimum of plastic bits n pieces. This link has loads of opinions! http://quilting.about.com/od/essenti...g_machines.htm

I did a quick search for you and found this company "Allbrands.com" and spotted what looks like a fantastic buy, this Refurbished commercial grade Singer http://www.allbrands.com/categories/...rade-freearm-s for only $299!!!!!!!!!!! When you read the spec. it looks as tho' it would sew through anything especially with that extra powered motor.

Do let us know what you decide on.