I usually press to one side, also.

I do try to plan ahead so that when blocks are joined that there is minimal pile-up at the joining seams.

I have been quilting for over 30 years and I agree with Peckish! In the old days, you didn't want your batting to bearding thru an open pressed seam. But she is correct, sometimes the design needs the seams to be pressed open.

I press to the side. I tried pressing open once and was uneasy the whole time. I decided I'm more comfortable pressing to the side. I will press open in certain circumstances.

I do both depending on how thick a seam will be. I saw on S Shambers daughters blog that seams pressed open are weaker than those pressed to the side. When you think about it there is sense in this. Do your own test.

Press a seam open and then pull the two fabrics at the seam and the only strength is the sewn thread holding the two pieces together.

Do one where you press to the side and see how the pull test is different.

Do what works for you. Just remember that the quilt is also quilted together with lots of other thread so that makes the seams have less stress on them.
peace

Open. Then I dont have to spend needless time figuring out which way to press:).

I started in garment sewing where seams are always pressed open. Never had a piece of clothing fall apart because of weak seams.

I press mine to the side. It is easier for me to match the seam joints up by doing so.

Usually, I press to one side; but if I am making a block in which lots of seams meet, I press open to avoid excess bulk. The last quilt I made had almost all of the seams pressed open; but in most of my quilts, all of the seams are pressed to one side.

It really depends on the pattern and intersections of the pieces.

Totally agree. Hexagons and Ohio Star type designs - open. But regular 9 patchy types - to the side. The design dictates the method based on bulk at the intersections.

Good luck!

It depends! If there is no extra bulk I will iron to the dark side (if possible). If the seam is very bulky with several layers of fabrics intersecting, I will iron the seam open to cut the bulk. Do what works for you.