Pattern Failures

I've had mixed luck when I buy patterns. I've noticed that I do much better with "home users" or patterns that aren't from large corporate places... [traditional patterns]. I'm relatively new to sewing  and I wondered if I am alone in this? I've tried to read patternreview.com before purchasing, but I'm still getting patterns I can't use. Any ideas on how I can better understand these? or should I stick to the non-major labels?

Examples:
- Sew Liberated [Montessori by Hand] Emmeline Apron - Excellent and easy to use
- Amy Butler Cabo Halter - Excellent and easy to use with aid of invisible zipper tutes online
- Melly & Me Mrs Perkins Giraffe - Super Easy and fun

- Vogue Bags pattern V8407. Very confusing and overwhelming. I stopped halfway through project
- McCalls Crafts M5409 - confusing and can't start
- McCalls Aprons 3979 - aborted projects midway through and just did them my own way.

I also have had mixed results with traditional patterns (mostly making things for my daughter).  I have, however, had success with Favorite Things patterns.  The designs seem/are simple enough and the instructions seem clear to me. 
http://www.favoritethings.net/ 

I am trying my first Amy Butler pattern (Betty Shopper) soon. 

I'm not big on using the major pattern company patterns, either.  They usually instruct you to do something the hardest way possible...and tell you to do this in the most confusing way.

I also like the Favorite Things patterns, Farbenmix, and everything that I purchased on You Can Make This.com.  I like patterns that real sewers have constructed and made easy to understand.

I had the same happen to me. The measurements were off. The pattern sleeve said one thing and the actual pattern said another.
That's why I started writing my own as eBooks. I realized that most of us are visual learns and so I use a lot of photos.
I like ebooks also because I travel a lot and I always have them where ever I go.   

My husband and I have been discussing this very issue because of my frustrations with some patterns. His take is that there are very few gifted people in the world who are able to translate a 3D object into 2D directions. Being a 3D person, I have a lot of difficulty seeing the shapes the directions are explaining.

Happy sewing to you all.

Kristin