I'm just going to say this .. looking at your post asking for recommendations on a mid price machine... the difference in harp space left to right from a 6600 to the skyline is 3/4" inch. The 6600 is billed at 9" and the skyline is 8 1/4 ". The north to south space is exactly the same. Yes the 8200/8900 have more harp space at 11" but the north/south space is the same. I don't, for my budget, consider these 11" machines to be mid priced machines. BUT all of these models are wonderful and all have good qualities... if they offer what you want. And that's what it really comes down to ... what can you afford, what do you personally sew, what features are important to you. It's no fun to buy a machine that has less features than you wanted ... and it's no fun to buy a machine you're making payments on while you are eating bologna every night. All of the models folks have mentioned ... the 6600, the 8200/8900, the skyline series are awesome machines.. but they each have very different price points and features. There are TONS of quilts that have been pieced and quilted on machines that have very small harps and few features. Buy what you like and can afford :)
Sherrie

Thank you again everyone, Sherriequilts60 in particular, I appreciate the time you took to write out such complete responses. I am indeed looking to purchase a new machine that allows me to do more than just quilts. So a mid priced mid throat will have to be it for me. Thanks again for all of your responses.