(no subject)

[lower-class.livejournal.com]

When sewing...I have never ever followed a pattern before. I am 23 years old and never really seen a pattern...heh
I am so bad.
Anyways...I found this pattern:
http://www.simplicity.com/assets/9000/9000.jpg
and of course bought it.
My problem is...the sewing I can do..but having never worked witha pattern before, I don't know how to cut it out. I know..what a stupid question huh?

Do I cut out the pieces I need (from the pattern) and then pin them to my fabric and cut them out?
Do I have my fabric the wrong side up when cutting out the pattern..or the right side?

Also, this calls for a zipper. When I purchased the zipper from the store (convieniently located next door to my place of employment) the lady mentioned something about a zipper foot. Yeah...I have never heard of one. Apparently there is one on my mom's sewing machine though.
heh

Anyone got any tips for sewing a zipper on?

My biggest concern was actually with getting the pattern cut out...heh heh.
Don't laugh at me or else you will not see pictures of the awesomely cool finished bag.

Also..it called for a decorative zipper pull. All the ones in the fabric store were ugly...so could I make my own out of beads? It would work right?