Looks as if the majority press to the side. I know that traditionally quilts do press to the side but as I said I am seeing even top-notch quilting instructors tell you to press open. As in knitting and crochet, there are no Quilting Police (well, unless you send it to the State Fair or something) but I was curious how it is going with modern quilters who are in the forefront of today's quilting. I have already pressed to the side on my top and probably won't be changing it now. I do wonder, however, if the small ¼" seam has something to do with the mandate to press to the side. It's not impossible but is difficult to open a seam that small, whereas in dressmaking it's very easy to open a 5/8" seam. Perhaps it began very practically.
Thank you, all who have answered. I am impressed with how kind this board is to a newbie like me and also with how fast-moving it is. I feel as though I can actually get questions answered here.
~ Carla ~