http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V35deJ10I_8
I too used to have this phobia but conquered it after watching this video about 3 times! I make charity quilts for ill and abused children, so instead of just quilting with a serpentine stitch, I did a few of them using this feather method. The first one was a bit wonky but by the 4th one, they looked great. She shows how to do feathers in non-traditonal way that fills in as you go so you do not have to be perfect.