The other problem with starting from one side is you end up with the entire quilt between the needle and the neck of the machine. If you start in the center then you never have more than half the quilt to the right of the needle. If you start at one side make sure you have lots of extra batting and backing around all four sides of the quilt. Always go in the same direction from row to row. I'm with the others. Start in the middle and work your way out to the edge.