What is "Comfort Sewing"?

Readers, do you ever engage in the sewing equivalent of meatloaf with gravy and mashed potatoes -- henceforth to be referred to as comfort sewing?

Comfort sewing for me is making things that are quick and easy, ideally using patterns I've tried before.  This weekend I was hungry for some.

I decided to make a zippered hoodie using McCalls 5252.  I've used this pattern twice before, most recently five years ago to make two fleece jackets.  Time flies!







I wanted to make version E, which has three pockets and a hood.



You'd think with five additional years of sewing under my belt, this project would be a snap.  It wasn't.  Perhaps because my standards are higher and I want a professional-looking finish inside and out, this project took much longer than I'd expected.  Naturally, the instructions don't really tell you how to finish seam allowances cleanly and the word serger never makes an appearance.  Fortunately, Michael had an old ready-to-wear hoodie I could use for inspiration.

My fabric is a soft and plushy denim-colored cotton twill I'd purchased this winter.  It's extremely cozy -- more like heavy sweatshirt jersey than denim.





Though not mentioned in the instructions, I reinforced my pocket openings and shoulder seams with twill tape to prevent excess stretching.  I used only my Bernina 930 Record and my Brother 1034D serger (with four spools) for this project.









Most of the outside seams are topstitched.  This pillowy fabric sets off the stitching beautifully.





I decided to add a drawstring to the hood, something not included in the pattern.  Since I have a grommet kit, I added two grommets as well.  I interfaced the area where the grommets would go, to give the surrounding fabric extra strength.





Here's how things looked this afternoon -- sleeves and zipper still to come.



This is going to be a very handsome hoodie when it's done.  I may even make sweatpants with the remaining fabric; we'll see.  And that's it!

Friends, what's your definition of comfort sewing?  Do you ever engage in it?

Have a great day, everybody!