Actually, I looked at you picture before your comment - didn't even notice the spine, my eye was drawn to the nice feathers. I think they look great!

I think you are doing a fabulous job for a beginner of feathers...keep up the good work and with practice, you will find your groove.

I think you've done a lovely job on your feathers.
I really like feline fanatics suggestion on the open stem. One other idea is to echo quilt down the side you have finished and start again from the bottom to finish your second side.

Oh I like the idea of echo down the side of the feathers and them do the other side..I'll have to try doing the feathers one on one side and go to the other side all the way up..

Thanks so much everyone for your great advice..