………..Updated 9/26/2026
Note to my subscribers ~ I’ve resent this blog post out from 2023 since the Presto Tunic is on sale for just $5 until Thursday 10/1. I truly feel this is one Love Notions pattern that doesn’t get enough love! Summer ended so abruptly this week for us (thanks Nor’Easter) and I pulled my flannel version out to wear! I myself forget how much I love wearing this pattern.
In honor of the Presto Tunic being featured in the Love Notions “Denim Collection”, I’ve updated this Presto blog post with a few new photos. This pattern is just $5 through Oct. 1, 2026. If you spend at least $8, you can use my Ambassador Code~ MARYMAC10 to receive an additional 10% off. (Sadly these 10% off codes only last through 9/30/2026 so don’t delay!)
If you don’t own the Presto Tunic yet~ grab this one NOW!! I think this is one LN pattern that doesn’t get enough love!! I often forget about it myself ~ then when I wear it I remember how much I like wearing it! I am definitely going to be making another one this Fall. I must say that my favorite version of all time is my blue check flannel version ( a lightweight flannel works best and RCF will be releasing some next month that would be perfect!)
The Presto Tunic is designed for woven fabrics such as linen, chambray, rayon, flannel, shirting, lawn and poplin. Remember different fabrics sewn up in the same pattern can produce very different results. I’ve decided to share with you 4 of my Presto Tunics, each sewn up in a different fabric to show you just how different one pattern can look!
If you want the complete scoop on the Presto Tunic, visit my blog post here. In this post I discuss all the details about my sizing and alterations, construction tips and more.
Fabrics with more drape like rayons, lightweight flannels and lightweight linens will create a tunic which is more flowy and feminine.
This lightweight gingham flannel twill is the perfect transitional fabric for Fall!. This is a very lightweight flannel that has some drape to it. You might notice a bit of extra fullness at the center front under the placket. For this version, I placed the front pattern piece about 1 1/2″ away from the fold, and then ran a gathering stitch to pull it up to match the inset piece. I love the way it turned out, you can add a tad more fullness by moving it further from the fold if you prefer. If you decide to try this~ remember only a lighter weight fabric with drape with work for this modification.
*Note~ the newest photos of this Presto this top is about 1 size too large for me so take that into consideration when selecting your size. I will be sizing down on the next version that I make~ which is already on my “Sewing Plans” list!
If you’d like your Presto a tad looser than designed you can always omit the back fisheye darts! (Which I did on this originally). So that I can continue wearing this version (since I love it so much) I plan on adding the fisheye darts back in.
Fabrics without a lot of drape, like seersucker, mid-weight linen, heavier flannels and chambrays will have a much more tailored, “preppy” or classic look.
This color blocked seersucker Presto is still one of my favorite makes! It has a more tailored look to it since the fabric doesn’t have much drape. I love the classic “preppy” look of this Presto. This is Robert Kaufman seersucker purchased from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.
This rayon challis version of the Presto has a romantic ‘Boho” style to it. The beautiful drape of the challis works along with the patchwork print and cotton lace to create this look
This custom print linen version of the Presto has a very classic beachy look to it. This is Brussels Washer Linen from Robert Kaufman which is a linen/rayon blend. This was ordered from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. Medium weight linens and linen blends will have crisper classic look to them.
Take Your Presto Up A Notch!
Want to take your handmade Presto Tunic up a notch? Miter the corners of your split hem! Mitering is a technique that most quilters are very familiar with. If you’re like me, and don’t quilt, it might be one of those things you always forget how to do. In fact when I made my navy gingham version earlier this week, I actually went back to the blog post I wrote for Love Notions. You can visit that blog post HERE, for simple directions on mitering your corners.
Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate all of you that visit! If you enjoyed this blog post, consider subscribing to my blog to stay up to date with all my posts!
Mary Anne 🙂
Remember to follow me over on Instagram to see all my latest makes! @sewmarymac
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You can purchase the Presto Tunic pattern HERE.
This is an affiliate link. It costs you nothing to purchase from this link, it just helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to test and review more patterns.
Fabric Resources
Navy Gingham flannel twill: This fabric is from the Eddie Bauer Collection from Joann Fabrics. If you choose to use this fabric, I highly suggest staystitching any curved edge. It frays and stretches out of shape very easily. If I were to use this fabric again, I would interface both neckband pieces. Note that this fabric is much softer than it may seem in the store. In store it seems a bit crisper, but after washing it softens up tremendously. It also doesn’t seem like flannel, but upon washing it is more like flannel than shirting. I also used this exact gingham flannel (in black) for one of my final test versions of the new Serenade Shirt. See below~
Obviously you can’t purchase this flannel anymore, however I have great news!!! Raspberry Creek Fabrics will be releasing a complete line of lightweight flannels in October. When it arrives it doesn’t seem like flannel, but once washed one side does “brush” up. Heavier weight flannels are brushed on both sides. Above is one of the new plaids that will be available~ again in the new Serenade Shirt!
Seersucker: This is Robert Kaufman seersucker, which is a very high quality fabric. It is 100% cotton. You can find it in several online fabric shops. I also love the cotton/poly seersucker that you can purchase from Mood Fabrics. It doesn’t have a bit more drape than the 100% cotton version.
Brussels Washer Linen: You can find the very popular BWL in many online fabric shops in an array of solid and yarn dye colors. Raspberry Creek Fabrics used to custom print on this fabric~ but right now it is unavailable. Surge Fabrics is a great source for BWL as is Style Maker Fabrics.
Note~ any lightweight linen would work nicely as well! Style Maker Fabrics has a great collection of new fall toned linens(solids, stripes and checks) that would be perfect!
Patchwork Rayon Challis: This rayon challis was purchased from Stylemakers Fabric. This fabric ws purchased a few years ago, so sadly it is no longer available. This is one of my most favorite online fabric shops. They have a curated collection of beautiful fabrics. Many fabrics are available year round such as linen, sweater knits, wool coating, twill and rayons.
