i have a problem with patterns

This is my creative process:  I find a pattern I like, cut it out or trace it, and then I either
A) get completely overwhelmed by the written directions, or
B) realize that I don't have the fabric or notions called for in the pattern

Then end result is that I always wind up reverse engineering the product my own way.  Written directions make me want to punch somebody in the face. It's not just sewing patterns--I'm mystified by recipes, instruction manuals, directions to people's houses, you name it.  I either need to see really good pictures or a diagram, or see somebody do what I'm supposed to be doing, or just do it myself and figure it out that way.  This is actually what I find fun about sewing:  figuring out how to make it come together. 

Case in point.  I'm making a smock for the Celebrating Handmade swap.  I decided to use the pattern from Amy Karol's Bend The Rules Sewing. After copying the pattern and cutting it out, I went through my fabric to decide what I wanted to use.  This was the combination I decided on:

Red cotton, natural linen, and printed cotton.  I really wanted to use the linen for the body of the smock and the red cotton for the bias trim and pocket, but since the linen is a little too flimsy for something that's supposed to keep a child clean, I decided to use the bear print as a lining and some flannel as a layer of interfacing.  Then I decided that a smock really ought to be reversible, which means the inside seams need to be finished. 

This kind of thing keeps my mind busy and my seam ripper in constant demand.