Hand piecing does not have to require a lot of prep. I learned by watching a Jinny Beyer video years ago. All she does is cut out the pieces and sew (using a single strand of thread). She "eyeballs" the seam allowance. If you are uncertain about doing that, you can pencil in the seam allowances or -- even less work -- just place a piece of blue painter's tape on a fingernail and mark 1/4" with a permanent sharpie on it. Use that to check your seam allowance periodically. It is a very forgiving process. If you find something "off" later on, you just snip a thread and re-sew. You do need to secure the thread at the beginning and end of each piece. It's also a good idea to take a small back stitch every inch or two.
I did a hexagon quilt using this method. This was before the Accuquilt Go! These days I would cut the hexagons out with the Go!. Back then I cut the fabric into strips the correct width and then used an Ardco metal window template to cut the hexagons and mark (with a pencil) the corners on the inside window. If I were to mark sewing lines or corners now, I would use a General's wash-out pencil:
https://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Wash-P...dp/B004OKVZMY/
Inkligo would be another easy way to mark sewing lines.
I would urge you to watch some hand piecing videos and practice on a few pieces before embarking. I have never seen a hand piecing video as good as Jinny Beyer's, but if I find one I will post it.
And I agree about using a dental flossing container for the thread if you are concerned about taking scissors. I think it would work better than nail clippers. There is also a neat necklace for this purpose (although completely unnecessary):
https://www.amazon.com/Clover-Thread...utter+necklace
Edit: This is the best hand piecing video I could find:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5-nv-hFL1o
And here is a link to Ardco window templates for hexagons:
http://stores.cottonstop.com/hexagons/