You make me feel so much better! The Quilt Police would simply be told where to go, same as the fashion police. I sew to get I want, anyway. I've done most of that stuff once, and will probably keep on doing it. I read somewhere that if a quilt doesn't have a mistake, the devil gets into it.
About hammering seams - tailoring has a tool called a clapper just for that purpose!
Mixing poly with cotton? I've never seen and gingham except for poly/cotton blend. Even from years ago. I'd like gingham for some baby quilts. I've done heirloom and had to use batiste from Hancocks rather than cotton batiste.
You can put those blocks in quilts, too.