While I was working on my bags this past weekend, it occurred to me that you might find it helpful to see how I use my patterns. Most of most of my patterns have half pieces (I try my best to fit them on one 8.5 x 11 page, or at least break them up in logical places). If you're not a fan of placing pattern pieces on a fold, then you can print two pattern pieces and tape them together. With bags, I find it easier to make a whole piece so that I can easier control the placement of the fabric design. It drives me nuts when something is off center!
When you do this, one of your pieces will be upside down, which means that you won't be able to see the markings on the right side. To fix this, just trace over the pattern markings (pleats, darts) with a sharpie on both printed pieces. The ink will bleed through to the other side, making the marks visible on both sides of the pattern.
When marking darts on my fabric, I generally do all my pieces at once. I stack up all my pieces, lay my pattern on top, and pin it in a few places to secure it. I stick a straight pin at the point of the dart them mark each point on all the layers with a plain old pencil. For the legs of the dart, I fold back the pattern a bit to mark those points.
That's it for now. It's nothing earth shattering, but it may make your bag making process a little bit easier.
