threads57

Yes this is a major consideration. You will not regret the 7700. My friend has it and I have the 6600 and miss my free arm.

cmw0829

Pink -

Your DH is right. It will probably be a lot more cost effective in the long run to get a more fully-featured machine up front. But you do need to test-drive. I was all ready to buy a Viking 875 until I test drove it. I didn't like the feel of it (personal opinion, everyone!) but the minute I sat down at the 7700, I felt it was a very substantial and strong machine. I'm sure the 6600 would feel much the same. But it's your machine and you have to like its feel.

Just a comment on the Janome table, my - again - personal opinion is that it might be a little inadequate for handling large quilt tops and FMQ. You could butt up other tables but you might want to consider other larger spaces. JMHO.

Cathy

pinkberrykay

What type of sewing table would you suggest???? I looked at the sew ezi table, but I don't need it portable. Haven't been able to see the Jamone table on line since I can't seem to find it.

cmw0829

Well...there are a bunch of brands out there. Horn, Koala, Arrow, plus more. Some of the sewing sites have tables so you could look at other brands. I purchased a Horn that was an old model year and saved a bunch. What I like about it is that it has a fold up leaf in back.

But, I think I'm going to eat my words. Here's a picture of the 7700 in its table. I didn't recall that there was so much space to the left. Even though there's no leaf, it would be easy enough to put a fold up table in back when you need the space to FMQ. So...never mind....sorry to gunk up the works.

pinkberrykay

CMW thanks for the name brands I will go and take a look

red roses

I have the Horizon and I bought it primarily for the 11 inch throat space. I've quilted a twin size quilt on it so far and it made a big difference. Much less tugging the bulk through the throat space. $1999.00 is an excellent price!

EasyPeezy

That's the same (or very similar) table I have for my Janome 6600. I don't think you'll find a table big enough for large quilts unless you have it custom built.
When I'm quilting a large quilt I put one banquet table in front and the ironing
table to the left. Works great.

Jamiestitcher62

Look, I've had the 6600 and I have the 7700. The 6600 is just fine and all, but remember too there is no free arm on the 6600, it's really heavy, as is the 7700, but the 6600 isn't that much cheaper that I would get that instead of the 7700. Always get a little more of a machine than you need. I didn't have any luck with my 6600 at all, it ate the fabric all the time when piecing and was a pain in the butt, I traded it in in 8 months for the 7700 and have been happy ever since. I paid full price for my 7700 when it first came out $3,000 with no extras at all, and it was well worth it.

nanbue

Unlike many others I picked the 6600 over the 7700. My tests showed the 7700 would not sew over a multiseamed intersecting seam, on two different machines at two different dealers. Perhaps the feed dogs needed to be adjusted.
The 6600 had no problem sewing over the same seams. I found the 6600 had no vibration at full speed while the 7700 did have a slight vibration. I thought as did my friend who was with me that the straight stitch was a bit better on the 6600 then on the 7700 and sewed effortless and straighter. I liked the direct number punching of the different stitches better, on the 6600. But that said, I loved the Horizon for so many reasons too. It was not an easy decision.
I had read some bad reviews of trouble with th 7700. Then I read great reveiws. All together it seemed the reviews for the 6600 stated less problems. I dont really understand all of this since it seems the 7700 is definitely a sister of the 6600. But all that being said, if I did not also have another machine with a freearm, and many deco stitches, I would buy the 7700 with the small difference that I tested. Only you can make this decision. They are both beautiful machines. If only we could have as many as we wanted it would be so easy.

Treasureit

Have you tried to do FMQ with the 7700? I did and did not like the results. They kept saying I needed one of the instructors to show me all the adjustments that needed to be done to make it work better....tension etc. If I have to spend a lot of time fussing with a machine to get it to do what it is supposed to do then I didn't want it....TRY IT OUT!!