I have had problems with patterns. Especially applique. I hate it when all they include is a line drawing. That means I have to make copies, cut it apart, add seam allowance and mark it for where it overlaps or gets tucked under. That lack of detail drives me crazy. I learned the hard way not to buy a pattern I couldn't open and check those details ahead of time. The other problem with patterns is that the designer always assumes that you will know everything there is to know about quilting and quilt terms. I have just as good a luck just looking at a pieced quilt. It works best if there is high contrast in the various pieces. There is a reason I love wholecloth or very simply pieced quilts.