We absolutely adore Erica’s new Cannes Wide-Legged Trousers. She crafted an incredible pair of black trousers during the testing phase, and now she’s back with a chic cropped version in chambray. Go ahead, Erica!
The final product is even better than I initially imagined. What happens when you blend a well-thought-out pattern with high-quality fabric? Success! My chambray Cannes trousers aren’t exactly what I envisioned, but the end result is an elegantly tailored piece that’s surprisingly versatile.
Years ago, I owned a pair of lightweight, loose-fitting, elastic-waist cropped chambray trousers that I wore until they were practically threadbare. With the new Cannes trouser pattern release, I wanted to recreate that classic summer staple. I’ve been hoarding a small bolt of Cone Mills chambray from my stash—it's a fabric I bought from this legendary American mill just before they stopped selling directly to the public—and it was practically begging to be used. Pairing this chambray with the Cannes pattern was a no-brainer, even if I didn’t quite crop the legs as much as I’d intended. I’m thrilled with the final length.
To achieve the cropped look, I slashed the leg length by a full 8 inches! First, I removed 2 inches at the "lengthen or shorten line," and then I folded up another 6 inches near the hem. Instead of adjusting the side seams to meet the new hemline, I simply extended them straight down to the new cutting line (marked in pink marker). This slight adjustment reduced the already generous hem circumference just a touch.
I tested the Cannes pattern, so I felt confident that I wouldn’t need any other adjustments beyond the leg length, especially since I’d already made a dressier black version during Liesl’s testing phase. I’m 5’5â€, by the way.
For this chambray version, I once again skipped the sash and belt loops, believing the sash wouldn’t drape well with this specific fabric.
This chambray cotton is a relatively tight weave compared to typical chambray fabrics, which tend to have a softer drape. Honestly, it feels more like a lightweight denim. Fabric enthusiasts might debate whether it’s technically a twill or plain weave, but I don’t mind—it’s gorgeous. The fabric has a subtle sheen that makes it appear lighter in photos than it really is. It was a pleasure to work with and press. I pre-washed it twice, though my fingertips still had a faint indigo tint from handling it during sewing.
One of my favorite hidden features of the pattern is the built-in tummy control panel, achieved through how the pocket stays are sewn into the zipper fly. When I zip them up, I feel comfortably smoothed out without being constricted. Honestly, I might love the clean interior finish as much as the polished exterior!
If you follow the detailed instructions, cut carefully, and match all the notches, you’ll end up with pockets that sit smoothly without gaping and a perfectly constructed zip fly.
I had planned to finalize the cropped hem length at the very end. Should it hit just above my anklebone? Slightly below my calf? Or maybe right above my calf? Ultimately, my teenage daughter convinced me to leave them as they were and wear them like summer-weight wide-legged jeans, which are all the rage right now. I’m typically not one to follow trends, but I’m loving this length. I only turned up the hem by a half-inch from the cut edge.
These trousers are incredibly versatile—I can dress them up with heels, sneakers, tank tops, casual tees, silk blouses—tucked or untucked. Although these aren’t the relaxed-fit chambray trousers of my past, I can already tell these tailored Cannes trousers will become staples in my wardrobe over the years.
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As someone who loves experimenting with patterns and fabrics, this project reminded me why I enjoy sewing so much. It’s not just about creating something beautiful—it’s about the journey, the little tweaks, and the unexpected results that make each piece unique. These trousers have quickly become a favorite, and I’m excited to see where else my creativity takes me next!
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