I, too, am left handed but use my right hand for cutting. However, my mom had to search for a lefty scissors for my younger brother too, but that was way back in the 1950's. As for my direction for cross stitching, I go every which way, not just left to right, depending on the pattern. But I never turn my marterial. I have to keep the picture up right, not upside down. Because I grid my big projects with Easy-Count Guidleline, I will often start in an easy corner, or the middle if the pattern is not so complicated with colors. On small projects, which I don't gird, I will usually start in a corner. Of course, I always purchase more than enough Aida for a project, so I have big margins all around to play it safe. Again, it is what ever is comfortable for you individually. Most important is just the joy of stitching. And as an added note, I was finding the time to grid a necessary chore. But then this last time, I started gridding before I finished the project I was currently on, taking a break from it, and doing it while watching TV. So when I did finish the project, I was all ready to go with the next. I am slowly starting my gridding for the next project, which I won't get to for months yet. Now it is not so much of a chore. Happy stitching!