When you’re working with small patterns, keeping track of bits and pieces is important. Use a gallon-sized zip top plastic bag. First, it will hold your pattern to the page desired, whether it’s folded, a magazine or a pattern book. It keeps dust and spatters off, as well. The bag will also hold small pieces, pattern cut outs and other parts of the project. At the end of the day, zip it shut and put it away.
I adapted this tip from a tip about protecting your recipes in the kitchen. But, the more I worked on it, the better it worked for woodworking.