I think this is just one of those you say tomato, I say to-mah-toe kind of things. The quilting in a quilt comes down to personal preference really and it's impossible to please everyone. I enjoy seeing quilts that have been quilted within an inch of their life as much as quilts with stitch in the ditch or stippling. As for feathers...they are popular right now and that is ok. ;) In a few years something else will be all the rage and we will eventually get sick of that too. ;) Lol*