I don’t golf, but the new Fairway Set pattern from Greenstyle is super fun for summer. The skirt is my favorite part. The faux wrap leaves an opening (with optional more or less coverage) for the built-in shorts underneath to show through the slit.
The skirt (and shirt) have three length options. I chose the longest length shirt and skirt, and contrasted it with the mid length shorts. The slit shows a little bit more leg that way, and I am okay with that! The skirt is super comfortable, with a waistband that encloses 2″ wide elastic.
The Fairway Shirt is reminiscent of a golf sweater vest with its boxy shape and round or V-neck design. The side seams kind of join in a V shape, so the armscye bands are almost like a V-neckband. Super cute, and frankly, the most challenging part of the sew.
You really need to pay attention when doing a V-neck, and follow the instructions for perfectly aligning everything. It is very helpful to baste before serging to ensure that you get the perfect inset of the V. But the results are pretty and unique!
It’s easy to walk and move in the shirt and skirt (which is super helpful for a tall girl with a very long stride!) I also apparently walk fast, which is pointed out by anyone trying to walk with me. 😉
So if I did golf, following through on a swing would be comfortable and your outfit wouldn’t be a hindrance. On cooler days, it would be easy to fit a tee-shirt or blouse under the shirt.
I made this set using the new modal cotton spandex from Greenstyle. This fabric is really unique, and different than anticipated when I ordered it. In my mind I guess I was picturing something like a thicker rayon spandex. At first it felt a bit stiff, but after washing, it really softened up.
I know some people don’t bother to wash their fabric before sewing, but I’m of the opinion that ALL fabric gets washed as soon as I bring it home or receive it in a shipment. Fabrics can have dirt or chemicals on them from the manufacturing, dyeing, and shipping process. I don’t want that on my hands, sewing machines, or cutting mat. I also want to ensure that any shrinkage or color transfer is addressed before I invest time and energy into making a garment.
All this to say that washing made a surprisingly big difference in the feel of this fabric. My best description is to imagine that cotton spandex and a high quality nylon/spandex athletic knit had a baby. It has the smoothness and nice rebound of an athletic knit, with a similar drape and weight of a heavier cotton spandex. It is very nice! And the color is very rich and vibrant.
I like trying new fabrics, and am excited when I find something that I like. My best tip for serging and coverstitching with modal cotton spandex is to ensure that you’re using fresh needles, designed for stretch fabrics and in a larger size due to the denser fabric and high spandex content. For my Babylock Triumph serger and coverstitch, that means using ELx705 SUK needles in size 90/14. On my Bernina sewing machine, I used a jersey needle in size 90/14.
The facing on the skirt gives the hem body and a very clean finish. It’s a great design!
Having a coordinating set is a trend that seems here to stay. And I like the look. I also like being able to get more use out of my clothes by being able to mix and match. In the spring I made myself a new Bobby Brami, and was excited to find that it perfectly matches my new Fairway Skirt!
This look really feels like me in the summertime! I would also wear this to step class. I love the fun look of the shorts peeking out of the skirt, and the fact that it has pockets! 🙂
I can easily carry my phone and anything else I need while walking the beach. They’re hidden but easily accessible, especially on the slit side.
The pattern pieces are clearly labeled to help you when laying out on your fabric to cut out. This is super helpful on an asymmetrical look, and important to pay attention to!
All of my step classes, dance fitness, circuit, and yoga classes, along with skating, have given me rather muscular legs. As the muscles have gotten more defined, I’ve noticed that the legs of my shorts tend to creep up as I workout. Just to see if my suspicion on how to correct this was right, I measured my upper thigh. It is 24″ at crotch level, as well as 2″ down and 4″ down from that.
So if the shorts leg tapers in but my leg doesn’t, of course it’s going to try and creep up to try and find a more narrow place on my leg as I move. I straightened out the taper on both the front and back inner leg seam of the pattern using my french curve ruler. That gave me the needed room, and these shorts don’t ride up when I walk. I’m going to do this on all my fitted shorts patterns!
Whether you coordinate, or mix and match, the Fairway set is a fun two for one pattern!
The details: the Fairway Set is the latest pattern from Greenstyle. I used modal cotton spandex in the deep royal color for both the shirt and skirt. The skirt was also modeled with a Bobby Brami.
Thank you for reading and sharing my love of patterns, sewing, fabric, and cute new clothes. The links to GreenStyle may be affiliate links (if I did them properly!) which means that I may earn a few pennies if you use my links without it costing you anything extra. Since this is my blog and represents me, I always give my honest opinion about any patterns, fabric, or supplies that I talk about. I do like knowing whether the time I spend writing posts actually interests people enough that they take a look at the patterns I review, but I write for me. It’s one more creative pursuit that I hope is helpful or interesting to others. I write to share my love of sewing and to encourage others to love it as much as I do! ❤
Sew Beach Life 