I have found the pattern encoder just .. does not allow you to face it in a good direction.
using the crescent hammer from thermal expansion, one expects the facing of the block to change in some fashion.
it does .. however it faces up or down and to one of two sides. clicking does not face it in a direction your clicking like it would for any other machine :/

So if i wanted it where the "crafting" grid part was facing north.. there is no way i found to make it face that way.