Is it just me or are feathers becoming too common?
 

I have been a fairly consistent reader of late and noticed that IMHO too many quilts, sent out to be longarm quilted, come back with a feather motif and then their careful piecing or well executed design elements get overpowered in a thousand swirls. I understand that many of us do not have the skills or mindset to do intricate/complex quilting and few can compete with computer generated near perfection, but are quilts becoming less personalized and too often being stitched with a puppy mill mentality and feathers are just in...for the moment? Do you leave it mostly to the "experts" and then hope for the best or do you google/bing, or whatever, the type of machine being used and then shop for a design that suits you, their machine and your quilt top and ask them to buy it and work it into your quilt?

Please no hate mail from you dedicated long arm quilters, I get feathers are both historic and some quilts scream for their use...but for those of you who think "outside the box"...what is your approach and when does a quilt stop being yours and become a canvas for excess?

I agree with you. As someone who has been lucky to win many awards with my quilts, I always went back telling myself how a hand quilter would quilt it. I am a firm believer that the piecing should take center stage and the quilting should enhance the quilt top. Please take no offense if you are a different quilter. There is no wrong or right way and there is a need for variety. Some people may prefer a heavily quilted quilt. I do not. Maybe you need to speak up gently to your LAQ and give her suggestions if you can. It is just my opinion.

I had a quilt that, even though we discussed the simple pattern I wanted done on it, the LA ruined with all the feathers and swirls. Her design took away from the beauty of the piecing.

I have quilts quilted by different LAers and I chose them based on what I wanted done. Some needed feathers, others line work, and one needed freehand--plus price is always a consideration. Everyone I have worked with has been wonderful to listen to my wants and ideas and then have executed them beautifully. I also always ask what THEY think, since they are the experts. I am not disappointed, and I do want the piecing to take center stage. What I don't care for so much are the pantos, unless the quilt is so busy or utilitarian that it won't matter. Nor do I want them stiff as a board. I just want a beautiful quilt when it is finished. I get tired and I am sure they do, too, but I am not being paid for what I do.

I do like feathers. There are so many different ways to stitch them that I just can't help but enjoy putting them on when suitable. Often they just fit. Several years ago everything was leaves if you'll remember. McTavishing is also popular now. I like to experiment with all and when in doubt go back to hand quilting which can be controlled.

I ALSO agree that quilting should not take away from the quilt. I prefer not to quilt real heavy but I do like feathers mine are not perfect but they are fun to do. I mostly do free hand on my longarm but have done a few pantos too.

Some people like dense quilting, some people like lots of open space, and some people love tied quilts. There's no reason why you can't have your quilt the way you want it. Folks need to have a discussion with their quilter BEFORE they leave the top so that the quilting will be done to their satisfaction. Something in writing is always the best. Maybe a picture from a magazine of something they like. The more detail you provide about what you are looking for the better. Look at some of their other work to get an idea of their style.
Personally, I like the look of hand guided quilting with lots of texture. Bring on the feathers & swirls!

I'm a long armer and I firmly believe the quilting should enhance the piecing, that when you look at a quilt, the quilting should not be the first thing you notice.

What is the mctavishing?