Pattern Review: DUNE Tank and Briefs
Dune tank, cropped style
February 2022
Written by Moss (Bolt Staff)
The Dune pattern by Christine Haynes overall was really fun to make! The pattern pieces and directions are very straightforward and simple. I got a little confused at how the layering of the three pieces to sew the gusset of the briefs worked just from trying to read the directions alone -- I'm on the spectrum, am a kinesthetic learner, and generally have a hard time with written directions -- but I was so delighted to see that Christine Haynes herself has a five part sew along video series of this pattern on YouTube! Sometimes I need to see how someone does something and this really helped me out on that part of the pattern specifically. (Shoutout to my fellow neurodivergent, kinesthetic, and visual learners! They got us covered on this pattern!)
My biggest criticism of this pattern is the measurement and sizing breakdown. My measurements *according to this pattern* fall into the 3X size, particularly for the briefs, but just barely – I am almost a 4X according to the numbers. I am apple shaped and smaller in the chest so I decided to make a 2X tank and a 3X brief respectively. Just as I had hoped, the tank was true to size and it fits like a comfy glove! I love it! The 3X briefs, on the other hand, are much too big for me -- a little in the waist and very much in the flair out at the leg. I am going to wear them as shorts at home, but I couldn't wear them as functional underwear for everyday unfortunately. In cutting out the pattern again, the 2X and even the 1X already look similar to the size of underwear/fit I wear. I am 53. 5 inches around the waist, which is a number that is not even listed in the sizing breakdown for waist size. The highest number listed on this pattern in the finished garment measurements is under the 4X size range and is 55.5 inches around at the hips. BUT I'm so glad you're here reading this so I can help you! In my opinion after making this set once, I think It's best to follow the size of underwear you already wear as a guide with this pattern (I'm a 1X-2X in underwear) because the briefs are definitely generous in the sizing range even if the numbers on the packaging don't reflect that per se.
I also want to note that I made this set completely by hand -- I make most things by hand, just for fun -- and I was able to do everything according to the pattern except the elastic in the shoulder straps on the tank top. I was kind of surprised that I liked the fit of the tank without the elastic, so all is well! And that's the 411 on the Dune Pattern by Christine Haynes! I really enjoyed making this set and I encourage you to try it too! Definitely size down!
UPDATE: I finished making a 2X and they fit so much better! I think a 1X might even be the best fit for me as underwear!
