I think we have always pressed to the side because of the strength of the thread, but I am starting to see the benefit of pressing open. I mean we have some of the strongest thread made when we quilt. I have never really gotten the knack of matching my seams with the locking system down. (usually I have pressed one of the sides the wrong way). I used to sew clothing and had to break the open seam habit when I started quilting because of the "quilting police" (this was back 30 years ago). I thank you for this topic because reading everyone's post gave me a new thought about pressing open.