When patterning a feature, looking at it normal to the plane on which the pattern is defined, the patterned feature is invisible.
For example, trying to pattern these cuts in the object while looking at the object from the Front plane, the centre check marks are visible but no indication of where the edges of the pattern are. This is not the case in a sketch pattern where the pattern is clearly visible.
And in contrast when the model is rotated slightly the pattern becomes visible:
I think if the pattern was say yellow highlight or even a pattern of the feature colour (red for cut, off-white for extrude etc) it would make it far easier.