Hi! I have the Janome 6600 and the MC 11000. My hubby got me the 11000 for my anniversary, birthday and christmas all combined :) . I love both machines and I do free hand quilting on both of them as they both have 9" throats. They even have a new quilting foot out along with a different bobbin case to do the free hand quilting the bobbin case has a looser thread tension about 40% less so it is easier to do the freehand quilting. I hope this helps encourage you to use your great machine, you will love using it, I do. :D LOL