Ponte Roma Jersey Fabric
Ponte Roma is a medium to heavyweight double-knit jersey fabric with a smooth finish, gentle stretch and a more structured feel than standard jersey. It’s a popular choice for dressmaking, offering comfort alongside a cleaner, more tailored look for everyday and smarter garments.
The name Ponte Roma translates from Italian as ‘Roman Bridge’. While that might seem an unusual name for a fabric, it refers to the double-knit construction, where interlocking loops resemble the arches of traditional Roman bridges. This structure is what gives Ponte Roma its strength and stability.
Traditionally, Ponte Roma fabrics were produced mainly in solid colours, but patterned options have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering more choice while keeping the same reliable qualities.
Unlike lighter jersey fabrics, Ponte Roma is firm and stable, with good shape retention and no curling at the cut edges. This makes it easier to cut, handle and sew, particularly for those less confident with stretch fabrics.
What Is Ponte Roma Fabric?
Ponte Roma (often shortened to ponte) is a double-knit jersey fabric, usually made from a blend of polyester, viscose (or rayon) and a small amount of elastane. This combination gives it stretch for comfort, but also strength and recovery so garments don’t lose their shape with wear.
Because it’s knitted as two layers together, Ponte Roma is thicker and more stable than standard jersey, with a smooth, slightly polished surface.
Key Characteristics of Ponte Roma
- Medium to heavyweight jersey fabric
- Double-knit construction for stability
- Comfortable stretch with good recovery
- Smooth surface with a neat finish
- Does not curl at cut edges
- Easier to handle than lightweight jersey fabrics
What Can I Make With Ponte Roma?
Ponte Roma is ideal for garments that need structure as well as stretch. It works particularly well for:
- Dresses and skirts
- Trousers and leggings
- Blazers and unstructured jackets
- Tunics and fitted tops
- Comfortable everyday clothing with a smarter finish
Patterns designed for stable knits tend to work best. You can browse suitable options here: Dress sewing patterns
Sewing Tips for Ponte Roma
Ponte Roma is a good choice if you’re new to sewing with jersey fabrics, as it’s less slippery and more forgiving than lighter knits.
- Use a stretch or jersey needle for best results: Jersey needles
- A narrow zigzag or stretch stitch allows seams to move with the fabric
- Overlocking works well but isn’t essential
- Shoulder seams may benefit from light stabilisation in fitted garments
Use a narrow zig zag or stretch stitch so seams move with the fabric
Overlock the seams for a tidy, durable finish
Ponte Roma vs Lightweight Jersey
Compared to standard jersey fabrics, Ponte Roma offers more structure and a cleaner silhouette. It’s less drapey, more supportive, and better suited to garments that need to hold their shape.
If you’re looking for softer or lighter knit options, you can explore our full jersey range here: Jersey fabrics
Shop the Range
We stock a wide variety of Ponte Roma fabrics, from everyday staples to more premium options, along with plenty of printed designs.
Our collections include Luxury Ponte, BB Ponte Roma, Changing Times, Pontoba and a growing range of printed Ponte Roma fabrics - all offering the same dependable double-knit structure with slightly different weights, finishes and fibre blends.
Browse the ranges below to find the right Ponte for your next project.
