velosews

Anita: great leggings

Making ponte pants can be a hit or miss exercise. Anita Ponte Pants pattern by Tessuti’s is a quick sew and with the right ‘body’ dimensions and good quality fabric, these are perfect for winter.

Making trousers or leggings will be frustrating if you don’t know your shape. Investing time and help to know your shape is invaluable. I’ve been making pants for a while now and I know that my curves have changed so I can add these changes to many pants patterns.

For me, being ‘petite’ means I have to get the shape right and the length right at two places. 

As a cyclist, I also need to avoid creating baggy knees with ponte pants. There’s a lot of muscle in these little legs so some shaping happens at the knees. Nothing scientific. It’s all based on my shape at the time.

Here’s the original pattern.


Here’s ‘my’ ponte pants pattern. Shorter legs. Shaping at the knees. My curve mark are drawn rough on the pattern.  Sway back adjustment. Shortened the centre front seam. But – they fit like a dream.  And – it was worth the effort.

I’ve now made these four times. I live in these ponte pants when it’s cold. My days of wearing baggy, RTW leggings are over.

Ponte pants paired with Anita winter tee

This test version uses ponte from my stash. As you can see from the front view, I didn’t have enough fabric (not usually a petite problem) so I made a feature of the join below the knee.

The ponte quality is ok and I was able to resew the seams to get the fit right at my knees.

Here’s the ‘good’ version made with a basic Chorizo Squad ponte and elastic from Tessuti’s.

Chorizo ponte pants with Mandy boat tee.
The difference is how the ponte feels smooth against my legs and how this fabric holds me in place too:)


This fabric has a good amount of spandex (Oxblood Red 66% Viscose 30% Nylon 4% Spandex Ponti Double Knit. Width:150cm).

I use less than 1 metre so I’m pleased at being able to make great leggings that keep their shape and colour using Tessutis ponte. 

I used clover clips to avoid making pin holes in this spandex

And for a bit of shine, I bought a $10 remnant from the Melbourne Tessuti’s store in July and made these.

Anita shiny ponte pants with Anita knit winter hoodie.

Just for fun – I think the ‘disco-chick’ in me is still there somewhere – just waiting to get out. 
Mr V chuckles when he sees me wear this pair. 

So I had a nice Winter collection this year.

That bright pair on the far right – is ‘far out‘!

17 comments

  1. Wow!! I have tried to make ponte pants with no success. I guess I need to keep trying. I would love to have a few pairs of these for our cold winters. They would be great under my snow pants. You look fab in yours with your perfect fit!

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  2. The pants are terrific. The shiny ones are very fun and you can totally work them! Thank you for the details regarding ponte. Especially regarding the fibre content you are working with. I agree that ponte creates a nice silhouette. Quality ponte is worth it!

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  3. These really do look great – and so do all the tops – wonderful casual wear. I'll have to follow your example, because I too am tired of wearing ill fitting RTW for winter comfort. It just takes time, but you are all set to go for next year…

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  4. Your pants look fabulous and fit so well. Thanks for sharing the links to the pattern and the fabrics. I passed Tessuti last week when shopping in Chatswood. Wish I'd called in now.

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  17. This pattern is on my “to try” list once I can find some nice ponte that will hold me in a bit! Love the shiny ones, I was looking at “leather look” leggings earlier.

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