I am also a relative newbie to quilting...and it took me a while to understand the importance of pressing the seams in the direction given in the instructions (yes, usually to the dark side, but which side is "dark" could vary with your choices of fabric). A few of the above comments mention the "nestling" of seams--so that corners match up--and that is SOOOO much easier when the seams are pressed in the correct (according to instructions) direction. So now I actually read that part of the instructions and am amazed at how much easier it has become to have more precise piecing.