I have a really hard time following patterns. I normally spend a lot of time looking at my fabric and looking at books or magazines until I get an idea in my head. Then I cut -- usually enough for 4-9 blocks, make them and see how I like the affect. If I like it I then go into production mode, as many of you have described. If I don't care for it then it is back to the drawing mode.
For me the design process is the fun and the challenge, but it takes a while.