I sewed clothing with patterns since 7th grade around 1964. I could always understand how to read them and almost never had a problem. I even made my own 5 pocket jeans. The patterns I get now are very hard to read and understand. I feel like they left a step out. I made a real nice lined jacket out of denium last year. The front lining piece was shorter then the back lining piece. I thought I used the wrong pattern piece but I did not. I still haven't finished it. Sooo you are not alone. I don't even try to make cloths anymore.