I agree with Holice. It would be most helpful to draw it out on paper so you can train your brain. Then get a stencil, or trace a free one of the internet, right on your practic piece. Use a pen or pencil since it is just a practice piece, you need to be able to see it well. Or print it from your computer and pin it on top of your practice piece and sew right through the paper and fabric. the paper will tear away when you are done. You won't be able to stay on the lines 100%, but trust me, with practice it gets better.
Take a deep breath, relax, and remeber, you're just starting. You can't just hop on a bike and not crash a few times.
Originally Posted by
Holice
are you using a stencil or pattern for the feathers or trying to "wing it" Your example looks like you need more control over the motif. I realy don't believe you can successfully just sit down and do the feathers without a plan and pattern to use as a guide. I don't know what practice you have done leading up to this. I suggest you practice just doing loops in about the size of your feather. Work for control of the needle. Go slow. Draw the design and follow it Dont try to make the design freehand until you have enough practice. Looking at your sample it appears you need a lot of practice to do it successfully. I do feather differently than others. Most double stitch the spine. I double stitch every other outside curve. It makes for more even lines for me. Get yourself a stencil, preferable one that is for continuous line feathers and practice.