Instructions

They are there for a reason.

The person who took the time to write the instructions assumes you are going to actually read and FOLLOW them.

Again, they are there for a reason.

My mother taught me the art of quilting many years ago.

 My mother always pressed her seams open and taught me to do the same.

I have found many quilters press to the dark.

The instructions for this pattern say to press seams open unless otherwise indicated.

Since I chose a white background for my Patio Picnic quilt I decided it might be best to press the seams to the dark side.

I WAS WRONG.

I found after stitching my first block it was way too bulky in all the tiny little intersections.

 Rather than fighting with it, I decided to go back and press the seams open on each and every tiny little 1 1/2" square.

It took me an hour.

The moral of the story...

Save yourself an hour and 

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.

They are there for a reason.