I cut away as much of the blank areas of the pattern as possible. Then I make little tears or pleats here and there to make it lay flat to the pumpkin, taping it down as I go. I've never found it noticeable on a finished carving if I've had to tear through and tape a line or make eyes a little close...

I use the gutter and LOVE it. I've been carving pumpkins since the middle 80's and just got one a couple of years ago. I sure wish I'd had it all along--would have saved my elbow and wrist from all that scooping/scraping wear-and-tear, plus it saves SO much time and allows me to get to the fun part ...