When I first started quilting I had no clue about even pressing my seams. Then I watched QIAD on public tv and saw Eleanor Burns pressing to the side so I followed her lead. There were many times because of the bulk that I would open and iron down. It wasn't until this thread that I now understand the reason for pressing to the one side, which I do routinely. Thanks for the lesson that someone who has been quilting for more than 30 years had no clue why I pressed to one side I just did it .