Abstract: A seam connecting fabric edges is formed by surrounding a first fabric edge with a first plush material strip suitable for the attachment of a hooked material. The first plush material strip defines a first front surface and a first rear surface. A second fabric edge is surrounded with a second plush material strip having a second front surface and a second rear surface. A single strip of a hooked material is deployed behind the first rear surface and the second rear surface. Then, with the first surrounded edge substantially in contact with the second surrounded edge, a force is applied to engage hooks of the single strip of hooked material with said first rear surface and said second rear surface.

Abstract: An item of clothing has a strip 502 of a reflective tape surrounded by florescent material. Embedded light-emitting devices 113 are connected to a loom of power and data cables and are supported on a flexible printed circuit board 101. Respective windows 1213 are provided for each light-emitting device, in which a hole cut through the reflective tape is covered by a clear plastics material having a first flap 1203 and a second flap 1204. The first flap is folded around the flexible printed circuit board and is secured by the second flap being further folded around the first flap. The clear plastics material is secured to the clothing fabric by an adhesive film 701 through which the holes have also been cut.

Abstract: A seam connecting fabric edges is formed by surrounding a first fabric edge with a first plush material strip suitable for the attachment of a hooked material. The first plush material strip defines a first front surface and a first rear surface. A second fabric edge is surrounded with a second plush material strip having a second front surface and a second rear surface. A single strip of a hooked material is deployed behind the first rear surface and the second rear surface. Then, with the first surrounded edge substantially in contact with the second surrounded edge, a force is applied to engage hooks of the single strip of hooked material with said first rear surface and said second rear surface.

Abstract: An item of clothing has a strip 502 of a reflective tape surrounded by florescent material. Embedded light-emitting devices 113 are connected to a loom of power and data cables and are supported on a flexible printed circuit board 101. Respective windows 1213 are provided for each light-emitting device, in which a hole cut through the reflective tape is covered by a clear plastics material having a first flap 1203 and a second flap 1204. The first flap is folded around the flexible printed circuit board and is secured by the second flap being further folded around the first flap. The clear plastics material is secured to the clothing fabric by an adhesive film 701 through which the holes have also been cut.

Abstract: A method of joining first and second stretchable fabric portions to one another in a desired configuration comprises the steps of sewing a first thread through at least one of the first and second fabric portions to define a first stitch formation looping a second thread within the first stitch formation such that the second thread and the first thread overlap one another to create a sewn seam, one of the threads being a fusible thread and the other of the threads being a non-fusible thread; positioning the first and second fabric portions relative to one another in a desired configuration; melting the fusible thread; and forming a plurality of discrete bonding element portions extending along a bonding path. The discrete bonding element portions retain the first and second fabric portions in the desired configuration.

Abstract: A method of joining first and second stretchable fabric portions to one another in a desired configuration comprises the steps of sewing a first thread through at least one of the first and second fabric portions to define a first stitch formation looping a second thread within the first stitch formation such that the second thread and the first thread overlap one another to create a sewn seam, one of the threads being a fusible thread and the other of the threads being a non-fusible thread; positioning the first and second fabric portions relative to one another in a desired configuration; melting the fusible thread; and forming a plurality of discrete bonding element portions extending along a bonding path. The discrete bonding element portions retain the first and second fabric portions in the desired configuration.

Abstract: A method of joining first and second stretchable fabric portions to one another in a desired configuration comprises the steps of sewing a first thread through at least one of the first and second fabric portions to define a first stitch formation looping a second thread within the first stitch formation such that the second thread and the first thread overlap one another to create a sewn seam, one of the threads being a fusible thread and the other of the threads being a non-fusible thread; positioning the first and second fabric portions relative to one another in a desired configuration; melting the fusible thread; and forming a plurality of discrete bonding element portions extending along a bonding path. The discrete bonding element portions retain the first and second fabric portions in the desired configuration.

Abstract: In the field of textile bonding arrangements there is a need to join a textile item to another item while maintaining the inherent flexibility of each item. A textile attachment formation (10; 50) comprises a textile structure (12) formed by a series of interlocking loops (14) of a first thread (16). The textile structure (12) further includes an elongate bonding element (20) which lies adjacent to the first thread (16). The position of the bonding element (20) about the perimeter (22) of the first thread (16) varies along the length of the first thread (16).

Abstract: A brassiere wire molded in one-piece from a plastic material and including a U-shaped body with first and second arms connected by a central body region. The first and second arms include respective terminal ends of the U-shaped body and lie in a common plane with the central body region. The resiliency and rigidity characteristics of the plastic material permit the U-shaped body to distort out of the common plane and cause the central region to torsionally twist about its longitudinal axis when the terminal ends of the arms are flexed toward one another in opposed directions within the common plane. One arm includes a longitudinally extending flexure region spaced in-board from the terminal end of that arm and maintaining axial rigidity along the length of the U-shaped body while enabling an end of that arm to more readily flex in a direction perpendicular to the common plane.

Abstract: A brassiere wire moulded in one-piece from a plastic material, the wire comprising a generally U-shaped body defining a first arm (14) and a second arm (15) connected by a central body region (16), the first and second arms and central body region generally lying in a common plane, the resiliency and rigidity characteristics of the plastic material and the U-shaped body along its length permitting the body to distort out of said plane and to cause the central region to torsionally twist about its longitudinal axis when the terminal ends of said first and second arms are flexed toward one another in opposed directions within said plane, the second arm being provided with a longitudinally extending flexure region at its end adjacent to the central body region, the flexure region (70) being spaced in-board from the terminal end of the second arm and adapted to maintain axial rigidity along the length of the Ushaped body whilst enabling an end of the second arm to more readily flex in direction perpendicular to s

Abstract: In the field of garment manufacture there is a need for an improved manner of joining two stretchable fabric portions to one another, in a desired configuration, that produces an unobtrusive join of sufficient strength which is able to accommodate stretching of the fabric portions.

Abstract: In the field of shaping fabrics there is a need for a method and apparatus for the shaping of fabrics which utilises ultrasonic techniques while improving the versatility of being able to change the profile to be cut/embossed. A method of shaping fabric comprises creating a former having a surface relief which defines the desired profile and/or surface pattern, placing the fabric to be shaped onto the former to overlie said surface relief and remain in a fixed position relative thereto, and sweeping an ultrasonic head in at least two dimensions over the area of fabric overlying the former whilst pressing the fabric between said head and the former such that the profile and/or surface pattern on said former is transferred to said fabric.