WOW! Great tips!
Yes, consistent seams are important even if it's not 1/4". It really doesn't matter what they are if you're comfortable with sewing them bigger, go for it. as long as they are all the same. And pressing - very important to getting a top that will lay flat.
And we've got the ones that the backing isn't big enough. We tell them ahead of time what they need to be but sometimes when they just drop them off & run uh-oh! We give them a call & tell them what we can do & that they may lose some of their borders.
Keep these suggestions coming! they are great.