(no subject)

Why is it that I can start with something akin to a potato sack, and dart and shape it into a toile for a perfectly passable dress, but try to work from a pattern(http://m-sewing.com/patterns-catalog/women/dresses/dress-with-beads.html close enough to perfect), and I spent 6 hours swearing at my computer and pieces of paper that refuse to make any sense?

Aren't patterns supposed to make life easier?

I'm resurrecting the toile that I've already cut up and used as pieces, pinning it back together with the aid of placketts, and I'm going to hack at it again until it looks right.