I don't know about easier...
But I have realized that my time is worth the $1, so if it's a pattern I like (that isn't out of print), I just cut it to my size and then put it on my list to rebuy in different sizes if I liked it alot. Lazy I know.
For stuff that is out of print or like Ottobre, I trace. I find what I want and then put it on our kitchen table and trace. (using KS tracing fabric but don't care for it much - pattern ease is better). I used to use markers but don' tlike to leave marks on the origional, so just a normal ball point pen or colored pencil.
Then cut it.
I only use sissors for cutting my patterns - I usually do it on the floor in the sewing/computer room
(bc that's the way my mommy did it). I never cut more than one fabric at a time- I like to make one and then figure out what I want to change.
E.