I press seams open when the pieces are small. Just finished the Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt-6" blocks with many pieces. There is no way I could have gotten my blocks squared up and flattened with all those seams pressed to the side. I found it easier to match up the many seam lines with the seams pressed open. I guess it's what works best for each individual. Maybe you could try a few pressed open and a few pressed to the side. See which you prefer. I also found if I press my seems open, that "scant" 1/4" seam we all search for doesn't matter quite as much since you don't have to allow for the extra fabric in the pressed area.
Good luck-anxious to see what you're making.