I can see stressing that quarter inch seams are very important, but not to be the quilt police with a first project. It is very important, but there has to be a happy medium. I also don't like the teachers that say that their way is the only way to do things. I've had people tell me that they never do something a certain way, because a teacher told them not to. I really think a good teacher should be open to other options. Give the students more than one way to do things and let the student decide what works best for them. Of course, that's just my feelings.