I think the solution is confidence. Don't be hesitant when you do the loops for the feathers. Even if they are not like other people's loops - if you make fifty of them, they form a pattern and it looks like you deliberately wanted it to go that way. I call it "artist's licence"...just go for it and I think you will be happy. I am improving all the time, and that's what I want.I had four years training at art college before teaching the subject for many years, so I just draw what I want onto the quilt. When I do the quilting I half imagine that the needle is like a pencil and I'm thinking a few steps ahead of where I am at any given moment..However, I still can't afford a real long arm - I'm using a mid arm machine on a quilting bed.(Now to tackle the two quilt tops I made over Christmas Week...)