Wedig, I'm glad you liked it. I figured anytime someone does a way of doing feathers that I mightn't be afraid of trying then someone else might want to try it too.

I'll see if that's the problem --- thanks for the advice!!

I just looked at a quilt with stippling and put the quilt on my frame and followed what I thought the stitch looked like. I didn't like it but my DDIL thought it was lovely.

stippling is really harder than many other designs for all over do a meander, or some loops are easy good luck

Thankyou! I've been asking about this for a while - how do you know you've got the right height table - and this is the first practical answer I've seen. Just what I needed to know (and my table IS too high, so Ikea here I come!)

Most table heights are good IF you are sewing with a machine that is set into the table. If you're sewing with a portable on top of the table, then it's another 3" or 4" or more higher and so comes the discomfort.

Try this as you sit there now. Your arms/hands are wherever they are to reach the keyboard. Pretend that your keyboard is up higher, and move your hands/arms upwards to that level. See how your shoulders rise and tense. OUCH! Same ergonomics in choosing office furniture as for sewing. And same thing when you consider table height for cutting ..... traditional tables are too low, unless you happen to be quite short! Bed risers come to the rescue!

Remember the old side table for "typewriters", that were lower than the desk? They'd be a better height for most people using portable sewing machines than on top of a traditional table. ... and if you could find one of those, could save $$!! Or shorten the legs of a desk or table that you already have. I have an architects chair which is adjustable like an office chair, except it's lowest is the highest of a desk chair .... works for me, even with a set-in machine.

I hear you sister!! I'm not great at FMQ either. But like you I can't afford to have my projects quilted. My friend says "If you can't notice mistakes when you ride by on a galloping horse, then your good to go", lol. I must say this thread is loaded with suggestions. I must try doodling first. that may help.

Try not to be too critical of yourself. Others are right wash and dry it after it finished and you won't notice a lot of things you noticed before. Others are very seldom as critical as you. Just keep practicing.

Got my dry erase board yesterday. Now......feathers, feathers, feathers......I AM going to be able to do them with confidence soon!!! YES I AM......:)