bearisgray

do you draw around the pattern piece and then cut on the drawn line?

For marking fabric, I like to use a dark pencil called Sketch & Wash or a General's White Pastel Chalk pencil - both purchased at LQS -

I have had better luck sharpening them with an eyebrow pencil sharpener - the $0.99 cent one that I bought at Walgreen's works better than the $1.99 one.

Onebyone

I back all tissue patterns with fusible interfacing. They won't tear. I pin and cut around the pattern. For paper patterns I make copies and use those to cut around. I use a glue stick instead of pins on the paper ones.

lynnie

since i started sewing my own cloths when i was little, i always just cut around the pattern pieces. I would iron them flat first and pin carefully.