I don't have a frame yet, and am still new to the whole process. Thanks for all of the input :) I might try doing quarters with my next big project, that sounds like it would be manageable.

thats how i do it also...it is how i was taught...

I was told to start in the middle and the lady that told me made beautiful quilts so I'm starting in the middle. Even though I'm a top to bottom person.

If I am quilting on my regular machine, I start in the middle, then quilt each line in opposite directions. The fabric tends to creep and that helps keep it smooth.

Now that I have the frame and mid-arm, I start on one edge and quilt back and forth from one end to the other.