I have done it several ways. I have on of the grace frames, and when I use that I start from the edge. When I set up a big floor frame, that takes up a full room, I start on the edge with that as well. If I am working in a hoop, then I start in the middle. For the quilts that I do in a hoop, when I sandwich the quilt, I use the basting spray, get everything really smooth and then I put pins in it. This is because it may get moved from room to room.