Abstract: First and second panels are removed from a length of apparel fabric. Each panel is folded so as to form suitable pleats and folds in the mutually adjoining edge regions of the panels. Both zipper halves are preferably simultaneously inserted into one of the pleats. Each folded and pleated panel together with its associated zipper half are stitched together, for instance by means of a sewing machine head. During performance of the foregoing operations the first and second panels are removed from adjacent regions of the apparel fabric, folded, pleated and stitched to the associated zipper half such that substantial continuity of visual patterns in the fabric is substantially uniformly maintained from one panel across the zipper connection to the other panel. In a preferred embodiment, a strip of reinforcing fabric is incorporated in an outer lap formed by a hem fold of one of the panels.