Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a garment is provided having specific supportive panels for providing adequate back and belly support; in a preferred embodiment the garment is an exercise garment. The supportive panels of the garment are made of composites of expandable materials giving structural support to the garment such that the wearer's back is stabilized and the belly is supported to prevent drastic pitch, roll or yaw movements during exercise. The expandable materials are designed to yield such that excessive pressure against the belly is not caused as such pressure, found in garments of the prior art, can inflict pain to the musculature and skin surface of the wearer. The expandable materials provide support and allow for the natural growth of the body during pregnancy, providing a desirable combination of a supportive exercise garment that can be used throughout the gestation period.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a garment, including providing a fabric layer having sonically weldable material, the fabric layer having an inner surface and at least one opening region, the opening region having a periphery and an outer free edge, placing an elastic edge band having sonically weldable material around the entire periphery of the opening region, the edge band having first and second free edges and an inner surface, securing the first free edge of the edge band to the outer free edge of the opening region with a subsonic or ultrasonic edge weld to form a finished seamless edge along the opening region, and activating an adhesive along more than half of the inner surface of the edge band to secure the edge band and second free edge to the inner surface of the fabric layer.

Abstract: A garment having a fabric layer and an edge band is provided. The edge band and the fabric layer each include a sonically weldable material. The garment has a sonic edge weld securing the edge band to the fabric layer along a cut edge of the garment and an adhesive securing the edge band to the fabric layer. During manufacture, the edge band is placed on the fabric layer, sonic energy is applied so that the fabric layer and the edge band are simultaneously trimmed along a cut edge and welded to one another along the cut edge, and an adhesive between the fabric layer and the edge band is activated to adhere the edge band to the fabric layer.

Abstract: A garment for giving front abdominal support during the advanced stages of pregnancy includes a sheet of flexible sheet material having first opposing side edges, the first opposing side edges having opposing leg opening forming notches, defining on one side of the opposing notches a garment front panel and on the other side of the opposing notches a garment rear panel, and defining between the opposing notches a panel interconnection section; the front panel having a support section including support material for supporting the wearer abdominal area; the first opposing side edges including a releasible fastener for interconnecting and for disconnecting the garment front panel and garment rear panel. The garment additionally includes an abdomen support strap extending laterally across and secured to the front panel.

Abstract: A waist band supported skin-tight garment incorporating an elastic support structure of counterwound elastic helices adapted to engage the lower extremities of the human body to counteract the effect of gravity on the soft tissues thereof to retard sagging of said tissues.