You said your wife is ill?

Is she well enough to be interested in sewing/quilting/whatever?

Is she well enough to even care about a different machine?

I hope she is - just wondering.

Hi All - and thanks so much for the helpful suggestions.

Based on your ideas, I am going to call our daughter tonight and see what she thinks is the best option from those offered. She may even be able to have a "mother/daughter" discussion about the various machines without my wife getting too suspicious.

I am also going to call/visit the local quilting shop / Husqvarna dealer. My wife spends a lot of time there and knows the owner well. I will ask her if she has any ideas based on what my wife currently owns and may have talked to her about re: future machines. My only reluctance in doing this at the very beginning was a little concern about being steered right to the top of the line model.

If neither of these options proves fruitful, then I get the impression from most of you that a new machine is a matter of personal preference and that given your druthers you would like to make it yourself ... so as many have suggested I will get a big decorated box, put in a couple of books or house bricks for weight ... and then add in a cut out picture of the top of the line Husqvarna machine. If my wife thinks that is too extravagent or prefers some other model ... when then that is what she can purchase.

Thanks a bunch everyone ... you've all been so helpful!

Cheers.

I would go to the local store, get a brochure on the top of the line machine, wrap it up with a note saying it's waiting for you at your local dealer or your dealer of choice. Merry Christmas.
If they have a little sewing machine or pin, I would purchase it for a wrap up gift.
I quilt and do a lot of other kind of sewing and the Embroidery machine isn't the best for piecing. It's great for embroidering and other things. I have a Pfaff for most of my sewing, a Singer feather weight for piecing, a Bernina that I use for heavy types of material like upholster, etc. Each machine has it's place.
I would hate for my husband to purchase my sewing machine even though I'm sure he would do a good job. Kind of like me buying my husband a new Pick up truck or a gun. You don't hung deer with a 22.

GUY, i kept reading this all the way thru. and i'm glad i did. everyone was so tactful, and peachy nice, and i'mmmm sooooo gladdddd you took their sweet, kind nice advice, and going to let the wife pick out her own machine. you sure did the right thing, and you sure won't be in any dog house now, but you sure would have, if you had bought her one. FOR SURE. congrats on the decision.

I think you will do fine, sounds like you are going about it exactly the right way. It sounds like your wife has a great relationship with the LQS and Husqvarna dealer. If you wife likes her Viking that is probably a safe way to go too.

I lover my Viking Designer Diamond. It is the Cadillac of sewing embroidery machines.

Hi Guy,

I agree that buying a machine is personal. Learn the price range of the machine and arrange a gift card type of gift for the machine.

Your wife has a Viking Platinum. The step up would be a viking saphire or the embroidery machine would be a topaz. I stepped up one level at a time as I could afford it along that same path.

Yes, stick with the same brand she loves. She will be able to use ALL the machine feet and accessories from the platinum on either the saphire or topaz. That will save a lot of money and frustration as you already pointed out, she will know her way around the new machine more easily.

Get the prices on the trade-in or full price and figure out a great way to gift her the new machine, but let her go in to the husqvarna viking store and pick it out.

You are the best!!

Give her a card explaining your idea. I think she may enjoy the thrill of choosing her own machine. Think about how you would feel if she puchased a new car or truck for you. You would miss the thrill of the test drive and the new smell.
You have got to be a special man to care this much for your wife. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband. Bless you and and your wife. Have a Merry Christmas

One more thought, how about printing all these suggestions and clipping them into separate slips and put in the box with your gift. She may very much enjoy reading all the suggestions and thoughts on this subject, especially about what a great hubby she has, your thoughtfulness in searching for right purchase for his dear wife! It may mean a lot to her, I know it would me. Of course elimated this one :) Just a thought. best wishes to you both!

Someone mentioned a gift certificate . My daughter gave me one the other year. You cannot get your money back if there is nothing she wants to purchase. So I would think hard about a gift certificate. I would have her pick out the machine and then pay for it. That way you aren't stuck with a gift certificate that you can't get your money back. Just a thought.
Good luck.