HI: instead of palmering the hackle, try stripping it and then tying in the bunches at the head. If the fibers are too long or you need to balance out the tail section, do not cut, but pinch the ends off until they are the length you want. Palmering is difficult with marabou.

Also when you strip the vains, wet your fingers and then pull down the wet fingers over the marabou. This will cause it to lay flat and makes it easier to work with.

Giz.