Editing in this first paragraph because I forgot to say what a nice job you did and what a good friend you are!
I press open and have for some 40 years. When pressing open you do need a smaller stitch length, which you also need for our strip piecing/cutting techniques.
Almost all machines have their default stitch as much too wide/long for quilting, you should never be able to pull any stitches easily out from a seam. A slight V at the end is acceptable but still not ideal.
I realize I'm running in the opposite direction of the pack, but I have reasons for pressing open. It can work very well, but not with big stitches!
Last edited by Iceblossom; 05-20-2020 at 12:41 PM.