My Black Panther Outfit: McCalls 7473

Like many of you reading this I went to see Black Panther on opening weekend. My hubby was really geeked about this movie as he and the boycub (my stepson) are pretty into Marvel movies. Despite this excitement, my hubby didn't purchase tickets right away and though we preordered we ended up going to a 10:30am Sunday showing. This actually worked out fine as it we went as a family and a matinee was a tad cheaper and less crowded.

Also like many of you I knew I wanted to sew myself an outfit in all black or using Ankara to wear to the movie. When I first started thinking about what to sew I was thinking a dress or a jumpsuit, something that would make a statement. However, when we ended up with Sunday morning tickets I decided to make something a tad more casual, like just a top or pants. (Well that....AND I was running out of time to sew due to my procrastinating.) I even considered wearing my Angola print bomber, but you know how we are - I just had to make something new.I say all that to say my grand plans to sew up a stunning number got watered down a tad to this fairly simple top. I grabbed this purple fabric with metallic gold accents from a fairly new local store Tess World Designs (there's also an ETSY page).I'm so glad to have a African fabric store that I can actually visit! I also picked up this black and gold cowrie shell print, because I couldn't decide which I liked better. As you can see I went with the purple fabric.I decided to sew a top because as I said I was short on time and it requires less fitting than pants. Usually when I don't know what I want to make out of a certain fabric I head over to my Pinterest page for inspiration. When I scrolled past McCalls 7473 I remembered how long I've been meaning to sew this tunic and decided it was the one.I sewed view D and the pattern is really straight forward, with the only thing I didn't love being the self bias binding for the armhole. Next time I'll probably use store bought bias tape or make my own so I can finally use my bias tools. I did make one small change and that was lowering the side slits.Pattern: McCalls 7473Pattern Description: Pullover tunics have v-neckline, front and sleeve variations and high low hemlines, wrong side of fabric will show. A: Front asymmetrical band. A, C: Gathers at back seam. B: Lapped front.C: Cuffed sleeves with button tabs. D: High side slits.Sizing: 6-14, 14-22 I sewed a 17...halfway between 16 and 18Difficulty: 2/easy depending the viewFabric Used: Purple/Gold Cowrie Shell Print Anakara from Tess WorldDoes it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? YesWere the instructions easy to follow? VeryLikes: Easy sew, hi lo hem. I love a tunic for it's versatility.Dislikes: None.Pattern alterations or any design changes made: None except for lowering the side slits.Would I sew it again? Yes, I think I'll attempt it with a fabric with more body like a challis or crepe.Would I recommend it to others? YesConclusion: Easy tunic patterns