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I'd say it also depends on what kind of materials/projects you are using.
If you're not going to go full heavy duty, 4+ layers of thick fabric, you'd probably get along just fine with a well adjusted lower tier machine.That said, my wife and I upgraded from a super market machine to a higher end Bernina, and the added power and stability was definitely welcome.
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I'm not sure I'm disagreeing with anyone.
Well, that was the experience I had going from a similar price range to a getting a Janome HD2200. Being able to sit at the machine and it just working massively increased my enjoyment when sewing shirts. I still occasionally have hiccups, like putting the bobbin in the wrong way round.
As you say, she's made loads of nice things so it must be a hobby she enjoys, does she enjoy it as much as you do riding?
Disclaimer: I'm not your wife trying to score a new sewing machine.
It would be like the difference between riding a supermarket bike and riding a something with XT or Ultegra.