Fundamentals of Freehand Long-Arm Quilting FAQ
No, a stitch regulator is not necessary for this class. The reason I use it is because I learned to machine-quilt with one. Honestly, even with the stitch regulator, the quilter must still learn to maneuver the quilt sandwich under that throat area of her machine. And the exercises in this class are focused on helping quilters learn to maneuver the quilt sandwich in mind. The various motifs are chosen because they force quilters to slow down and take a stitch at a time when they learn to move their quilt sandwiches. Going back to the stitch regulator, I have taught students that do NOT get along with the stitch regulator and actually quilt better without it.
My opinion on that is that if a quilt is properly basted, it is okay to start from the edge. I just start from the edge that is most convenient to me, and work until all the quilting area is filled. I don't have a fixed scheme as to working in quadrants/sections; I know many do. I think either way would work because the ultimate goal is to fill the entire quilt with quilting.
