Boy, do I have mixed feelings on this topic. I normally press to one side, and contrary (as usual) to what I've read, etc, I do not always press to the dark side.. the fabric I'm pressing is the same color as the side I'm pressing to.. so who cares? I have NO problem matching points, etc when I'm piecing (yes, mostly by hand VERY rarely by machine). and I do hand piecing and I'm not in the least afraid of having batting beard through.. I use hand quilting thread for piecing and the finest #12 needles I can find to piece (and quilt) and I think my stitches are every bit as strong as machine stitching with machine stitching thread, and the fact that I usually stitch from 12 stitches per inch or greater. So, I just do whatever the mood dictates..or the pattern...or the sign of the moon.... :twisted: just my 2 cents.