joe's mom - I find it easier sometimes to pick out a stitch or two on the seam allowance in the middle where the 4 patch comes together, especially if I've used a small stitch. This allows the fabrics to separate and lay down better when you press the seam. "Twirling" the seam reduces the bulky lump that forms in the center. What should happen is the 4 seam allowances get pressed so they lay in a clockwise pattern, not the center seam pressed to one side with one side seam pointing up and one pointing down, or even pressed spread flat. Think "pinwheel". It makes a small box shape in the center. Now, when the 4 patch is added to another block the seam allowances will lay in a clockwise direction no matter which side is sewn to the other block.
Hope that helps. Cheers!
MJ