Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for forming and maintaining a desired configuration in fabric pieces, such as a pocket during manufacture of a product comprising the fabric such as a garment, by the simultaneous application of heat and pressure (without the need of shaping overlays such as paper) to the fabric piece with such apparatus, which has an improved pressing means for maintaining the desired configuration in said fabric pieces while limiting the resultant movement of the heated, compressed product in response to the pressure to which it has been subjected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming and maintaining a fold or crease or a formed shape in or on a fabric piece while a product is being manufactured comprising the fabric. The method comprises the steps of applying an adhesive to selected locations on the fabric piece, forming the fabric piece into the desired configuration, compressing the fabric piece at the selected locations to adhere the selected locations thereof whereby the fabric piece is maintained in the formed, desired configuration during at least part of the manufacture of the product, and thereafter dissipating the adhesive. The method is especially suited to the manufacture of garments having separately attached pieces such as pockets, facings, cuffs, yokes, and the like, wherein to faciliate manufacture, the folds and creases are temporarily made in the pieces and are maintained during manufacture by the adhesive, which is dissipated in the final stages of manufacture of the garment, typically during steam pressing of the garment.