Granny, granny, granny - svelt geese and exposed back sides - lol
I am already in stitches thanks to your post.
As to the pressing, I'd try the open method. It seems to be getting a lot of attention lately. I was one to follow the "press to the dark side" (now that might explain my dark humor - :twisted: ) but ran into the same problem as you did. Now, my backside can be a bit inconsistent and unorthodox. I press the way the seam wants to go naturally. Next batch, I'll try to press open.
Nice geese btw!