hand quilting on diagonal
 

I am going to start hand quilting my table runner today (hopefully) and do not remember if I always quilt in the same direction of if I quilt to one end and turn and start quilting in the other direction. I seem to remember reading something about if you quilt in two different directions it makes the fabric go wonky. Please help..

I quilt in whatever direction I feel like. I've never noticed fabric getting wonky. The quilt will have a tendency to shrink up a bit but usually not too much with hand quilting.

I always start my quilting in the center of the quilt and work towards the edges. With a strippy quilt I start with the stripe in the middle and work towards the top and the bottom. Next I quilt the stripes besides it.

When I have to quilt long diagonal lines (as background quilting) I also start in the middle of the quilt, go to the edges and finish off the thread there. I only turn when the lines are quite short, let's say 2 or 3 inches long. In my experience the fabric will become a little wavy when I don't keep that direction.

I think I have to mention that I do wholecloths and I don't quilt pieced tops - a plain fabric seems to "shift" a little more.

I'm like Borntohandquilt - I start in the middle and work my way to the top, bottom, and sides. Always working from the center out.

I agree with the starting in the middle. I don't see to much distortion. I do big stitch with a thicker thread,hand quilting only. I spray baste and pin as well and i have a lap hoop i never use. Working on my son's quilt now....halfway through the quilting :)
Post pics when you're done!!!