I am right handed and do most things clockwise. I mostly hand quilt clockwise but sometimes change directions around different shapes. I hand quilt with my thimble on my right index finger and push towards my right thumb going towards myself unless....I sometimes wear my thimble on my right thumb and quilt away from myself towards my right index finger. I can also quilt in almost any direction away from myself using my thimble on my right thumb. Try out what works best for you there are no quilt police here!