yep, I learned by pressing to one side and I seldom pin, I just nest them together. I am with the pressing to one side results in a little stronger seam. I have quilted some quilts done by others and have seen where the seams that are pressed open have a slight gap in them with just thread. I think that mainly happens if a too long a stitch is used, or the overall tension of the machine is too loose so the seam can pull apart. On my APQS Lucey, I do not fear bulky seams as so far, my machine just seems to stitch over them just fine although I will be careful when approaching one of those multi seams junctions like in a pinwheel made with denim fabric. I think the bulky seam issue is more common when quilting on a domestic machine. I do press open on occasion when it makes sense, but I really don't like pinning. I seldom pin anything, just finger pin the seams nested together as I go. When I try and use pins, I have to remove them before I get to the needle anyway and just end up finger pinning the seams together then.