Keep fabric and pattern flat on table. Never draw fabric toward you to reach a piece. Cut with long strokes. When cutting into a corner, open shears only wide enough to have points of blades reach end of cut. Wipe lint from blades of shears frequently, especially when working with synthetics.
Notches are important pattern markings, and absolutely reliable matching points.
They are not really notches any longer, although they have kept the name. A notch is cut out from the pattern, adding a point to the seam allowance. In sections that are at center front or center back of garment, mark center points, top and bottom, with a notch or a small clip in the seam allowance. Do not remove pattern pieces from section cut. You will need them for the next step, marking.