I have decided...I have continued the feathers down the sides (I had t turn the quilt sideways on the board to get it all in) and am just outline stitching with varigated thread. My feathers still don't look that good, but this is turning out to be a good practice quilt. I think it will look OK without the applique feathers. I think I will have it finished by this afternoon and will post a picture later today. Thanks everyone for the reinforcement and encouragement.