I've always been taught to press my seams toward the dark fabric. I'm currently working on a quilt where I'm pressing the seams open and it's really coming together nicely. Do any of you usually press your seams open? Is there a reason you shouldn't?

To the side is more stable and strong. that being said, I've heard of lots of quilters passing seams open

it is just sometimes having seam abut make them match better

I have been pressing them open for decades. Never had a seam "fail". Do what you like and works for you.

When pressed open there is more pressure on the thread in the seams. When pressed to one side there is a fabric layer that protects the piecing threads. Other than that, I don't think one way is more correct than the other. It depends on the pattern and how many seams will come together etc. that helps me make my decisions on this. Most frequently I can press to one side and I prefer that for adding the strength to the quilt it's self.

I press toward the dark on pieces and press open on binding.

Unless one of the fabrics is very light, I try to press so the seams nest together the best. But I quite often figure it wrong and have to repress seams to make them work :-D I have pressed seams open when it seems there will be a lot of bulk. I think it's totally up to you. :-D :-D

Recently there have been quite a few articles that say pressing to one side for strength was true with hand sewn seams, but more and more people are recommending that we do it whatever way feels good when machine piecing! :-D :-D

I do both, which ever works best for the blocks :D:D:D

I usually do seams to the dark unless it causes too much bulk.