Can anyone who reads Japanese please help?

I'm addicted to Japanese embroidery and craft books (as regular readers would know) and I need clarification on a couple of things in this bag pattern that I would like to make. If anyone can help with some translations I'd be very grateful.

1: The materials list. (I think that black bar at the bottom refers to the pattern instructions)

2: I'd like to know if there are any important points on the pattern before I draw it up and cut my precious fabric :). Especially if it notes what size the seam allowances are.

and 3: I think I know what this step means but I'd like to know before I ruin my very lovely fabric...