I've done it both ways, depending on how much table space I have to cut - and it works both ways for me. I do not have a cutting table persay - I use the kitchen/dining room table and it houses everything from his mail to the papers and magazines, and heaven forbid anything get moved; not a good situation, but that is how I got to cutting either way - depending on the other "situation".... I'm right handed - and I cut from bottom to top - or if I'm cutting longways across the width of the fabric in front of me, I cut right to left. BUT I have also cut from left to right on there also.