I think the "start in the middle" plan originates from hand quilting, where the fabric may "take up" as you quilt, and as you move from the centre out, you lessen the chance of pleats or puckers.
For straight line quilting I often start at the edge (centre of quilt), and go across. Then I go to the top and do a centre line of top to bottom etc. As long as it's well pinned or basted, and I work alternating across with up/down, I've had no problems.