I have the 6600 and love it, would never trade it in.

I bought the 7700 Horizon in 2010 and it's been an excellent machine. I think their new flagship model is the 8900. I have recently gotten a Pfaff Passport for my birthday. I like to piece really small items (a lot of my blocks start with 1 inch pieces) and the built in IDT was superior IMHO to the bulky Accufeed feet of the 7700, which I think was improved with the 8900. I would sometimes lose finger contact trying to get the pieces under the foot and needle. My dealer also sells Brother so he never got in the 8900 b/c everyone wanted the high end Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000. I recently tried the Pfaff Performance 5.0 and I've been toying with selling the Horizon 7700.

I think the 8900 is the replacement for the 7700

I have had a 6600 for eight years and love it. I also now have an 8900, delighted with it. Either of these machines would be ideal for your needs - the 6600 has 9" throat and the 8900 has 11". The 6600 is a 7mm and the 8900 is 9mm. For FMQ that extra two inches does make a big difference. I use both machines all the time.

I feel the same way.

My machine seems to have 3 names: Janome, Jem Platinum 760, New Home. It's simple but always works great!

I have the Janome 6500 since it first came out, love it. I also own 4 other Janome machines. They are workhorses and rarely need repair. You won't regret buying. Go back to store with a list of questions. You might have to ask for someone else, be firm and direct ..... it's your money.

Qiltswithdogs.... When Janome was first sold in the US they were called New Home. NH was dropped so we are just Janome. The "Jems" were specials created for those who did not want to spend bunches, they are great classroom and retreat machines.

I bought the Janome Horizon 7700 in October and it is amazing. It does not embroider, it has decorative stitches if you choose to use them. I have 2 Berninas also, this is my first Janome and I am very happy with it. I bought it expressly for quilting due to the 11 inch harp space and the FMQ. I have just finished 2 quilts for my grandchildren for Christmas and did FMQ on both, they are twin size quilts, was easy to manouver them around. The 7700 is a beautiful machine and whatever kinks were present when they first came out have been corrected. I love it!

I have the Janome 6600P here at the farm and the 8900 at home.
I'd recommend either of them.

I have both the Janome 6600 and the Janome Jem 760. Love them both. No problems with either of them. The 760 is great for classes and retreats. The 6600 stays at home in it's cabinet waiting for me to finish all the projects I have going. :-)