I don't know for sure where longarmers start their quilting but thought it was one side to other. I've seen where people say start from the middle and go out but Harriet Hargrave who is a master domestic machine quilter advocates starting at one side and going to other. I have two of her books and do it her way. Everyone has their own way. Craftsy has a nice class on using your walking foot to quilt. You might give it a look and see if you think it would help you. I enjoyed it.