"Cut" the sketched area even when it's larger than the solid body.

[pasi.annila]

In case you make a cut that exceeds limits of part it should still be cutted for whole sketched area instead of only part extents. I frequently need this when patterning cuts or extrusions.

It's all unnecessery to make cut sketches multiple times. There are many workarounds, but all of them a lot of work (one for symmetrical parts is Circular Pattern 1 in the end of history tree).

_poista.ipt

[dan_inv09]

"Flange, Hem, and Face features in the pattern can only generate Identical occurrences. The Adjust To Model setting will be ignored for these features."

From the description you give, the Adjust button should work:

Your special sheet metal case doesn't work though. There might be a sheet metal feature that can make your cuts the way you want them to end up, if not then reword your question to ask for that.