My best tip was the one I found on how to baste the hexagon on the paper. I will try to explain --- go from corner to corner and catch the fold....do not baste along the side, but rather let the thread sit on top (it kind of holds down the side fold).... You never baste through the paper, so in the end you don't have to remove the basting, because the paper should pull right out. I haven't pulled any of my papers though, because I want to keep the shapes until I can get them all sewn together.
I pin my paper to my fabric and then tuck the first side behind the pin to start.
One other tip someone else posted that is essential is to match your thread to your pieces....otherwise, it can be easy to see the stitches...
I printed out 1" hexagons free and cut them by hand....next time I would consider buying them....but I kind of like that part of the process.