I just got my long arm in April and haven't even ATTEMPTED a feather yet. I don't like dense quilting on my quilts. Feathers are very nice, but I just think they look like someone used the computerized designs to achieve that perfection. My long arm is a simple one, and I have not gone beyond meandering yet, and that suits my purposes just fine. My quilts are mostly charity quilts or to be used and loved, so I don't think feathers are necessary there.