Have you heard the Freehand Vs. Patternmaking argument before?
I have and I tell you, that argument is not going to end anytime soon.

Here's my take on the issue: Freehand is good and seems easy. However, there are some designs you won't be able to create without the use of patterns. Even if you manage to create the likeness of the original design, the fit would be all wrong because your darts were not manipulated. At the end of the day, patternmaking would have saved you time, effort and unnecessary headache