I've made a few feather backed bows, and I have found that the glue that your use needs to be harder or as hard as the finished you apply over it. I once used a glue softer than the epoxy finish coat I used, and the finish cracked in cold weather. I now only lay/glue in the feathers with the same epoxy coating I use as a finish. I have always wondered if this backing was considered "a backed" bow or not. I'm still not sure?
I'm working on a pair of his and hers bows for my daughter and her husband that I'm going to feather back, hopefully I can get them finished by Christmas... I have been working on them almost a year.....
Again that's is a real nice looking tiller and good looking finish work.
You just need a little more practice with your leather wraps.
DBar