Like you I don't always use a pattern. For me I learned to sew from someone who made her own patterns. So I never learned to read a pattern - thus if I try to use directions etc., from a pattern my stuff comes out looking like Lucy's dress from I Love Lucy - this is a problem only because I don't make dresses - I make quilts!!! I have found that as long as you keep your seams the same from start to finish you should come out ok. Good Luck & Happy Sewing