WO1993018217A1 | 1993-09-16 |
EP0095261A1 | 1983-11-30 | |||
GB1138176A | 1968-12-27 | |||
FR1099154A | 1955-08-31 | |||
US3288092A | 1966-11-29 |
CLAIMS 1. Process for joining panels of fabric comprising the operations of: - providing a first panel of fabric (1) so that it has a lower portion (la; 1") and an upper portion (lb; Γ) joined together in a joining area (2a, 100) and having an intermediate area (2b; 104) arranged between such portions (la; 1"; lb; Γ) so that the lower portion (la; 1") and the upper portion (lb; Γ) are suitable for being sewn together astride of said intermediate area (2b; 104); - providing a second panel of fabric (4) so that it has a lower portion (4a) and an upper por- tion (4b) joined together in a joining area (6a) and having an intermediate area (6b) arranged between such portions (4a, 4b). so that the lower portion (4a) and the upper portion (4b) are suitable for being sewn together astride of said intermediate area (6b); - making a channel seam (12) on the first panel (1) so as to join, astride of the intermediate area (2b; 104), the lower portion (la; 1") and the upper portion (lb; Γ) obtaining a channel (16) that runs along the entire panel (1) parallel to the joining area (2a; 100), said channel (16) being defined on one side by the joining area (2a; 100) and on the other side by the channel seam (12); - making a channel seam (18) on the second panel (4) so as to join, astride of the intermediate area (6b), the lower portion (4a) and the upper portion (4b) obtaining a channel (20) that runs along the entire panel (4) parallel to the joining area (6a), said channel (16) being delimited on one side by the joining area (6a) and on the other side by the channel seam (18); - arranging the first panel (1) and the second panel (4) alongside one another placing the lower portion (4a) of the second panel (4) over the lower portion (la) of the first panel (1) so that the intermediate area (6b) of the second panel (4) is alongside the intermediate area (2b;104) of the first panel (1); - threading a joining thread (30), in an alternate and progressive manner, in successive sections of the channels (16, 20) of each panel (1,4) and pulling said joining thread (30) so that it comes into contact with the channel seams (12, 18) of the panels (1,4) bringing respec- tive ends (38, 40) of the intermediate area (2b) of the first panel (1) and of the intermediate area (6b) of the second panel (4) in contact in such a way making it possible to join the panels (1, 4). 2. Process according to claim 1, wherein the operation of providing a first panel of fabric (1) comprises the operations of folding said first panel of fabric (1) astride of the fabric so as to form a Z obtaining a first fold (2a) and a second fold (2b), said second fold (2b) being on top of a lower edge (la) of the panel (1) and said first fold (2a) being below an upper edge ( 1 b) of the panel ( 1 ) . 3. Process according to claim 1, wherein the operation of providing a first panel of fabric (1) comprises the operations of providing an upper portion of fabric (Γ) and a lower por- tion of fabric (1") , partially overlapping the upper portion of fabric (Γ) over the lower portion of fabric (1") and sewing them together through an attachment seam (100). 4. Process according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the operation of providing a second panel of fabric (4) comprises the operations of folding said second panel of fabric (4) astride of the fabric so as to form a Z obtaining a first fold (6a) and a second fold (6b), said second fold (6b) overlapping a lower edge (4a) of the panel (4) and said first fold (6a) being below an upper edge (4b) of the panel (1). 5. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation of providing a sec- ond panel of fabric (4) comprises the operations of providing an upper portion of fabric (Γ) and a lower portion of fabric (1"), partially overlapping the upper portion of fabric ( ) over the lower portion of fabric (1") and sewing them together through an attachment seam (100). 6. Process according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the channel seams (12, 18) each comprise a plurality of sewing arcs (12a, 18a) arranged to create the channels (16, 20) joining, respectively astride of the intermediate area (2b; 104) of the first panel (1) and of the intermediate area (6b) of the second panel (4), the lower portions (la; 1"; 4a) and the upper portions (lb; Γ; 4b) of said panels (1, 4). 7. Process according to claim 6, wherein the sewing arcs (12a, 18a) are in the shape of a semi-circumference, or of triangles, or of rectangles. 8. Process according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sewing arcs (12a, 18a) have a linear profile that is continuous or jagged. 9. Process according to any one of the previous claims, wherein before arranging the first panel (1) and the second panel (4) alongside one another, the lower edge (4a) of the second panel (4) is folded, rotating it by 180°. 10. Process according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the intermediate areas and the joining areas of the panels ( 1 , 4) are rectilinear or curvilinear. 11. Process according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the panels (1, 4) have respective edges and the folds of the panels (1, 4) are parallel to said edges or inclined with respect to such edges so as to form a predetermined angle. 12. Process according to any one of the previous claims, finally comprising the operation of locking the joining thread (30), so that, in the case in which the two panels (1, 4) are pulled in opposite directions, said joining thread (30) is prevented from running back into the channels (16, 20) causing the panels (1, 4) to separate. 13. Process according to claim 12, wherein the joining thread (30) comes out from one of said channels (16, 20), after passing through them, and is then locked by inserting said thread (30) in an object with dimensions that are greater than the width of the section of channel (16, 20) from which the thread (30) has come out, or by wrapping the thread (30) on a clip fixed to the upper edge (lb, 4b) of one of the two panels (1 , 4) or by again threading back the thread (30) into the channels (16, 20), for a predetermined length, starting from the channel opposite to that from which the thread (30) has come out. 14. Process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein decorative objects are in- serted on the joining thread (30), said decorative objects being positioned at the points in which the thread (30) passes from one section of one channel to another. 15. Process according to claim 14, wherein the decorative objects are first threaded into the joining thread (30), then they are made to pass inside the channels (16, 20) when the joining thread (30) is threaded in such channels (16, 20) to join the panels (1, 4), and are finally made to progressively come out from the channels (16, 20) at the points in which the join- ing thread (30) passes through one section of one channel to a subsequent section of the other channel, so that in each of said points there is at least one decorative object. |
The present invention concerns a process for joining panels of fabric. Conventionally, two panels of fabric are joined through a seam made near to respective edges of the panels. Such edges are first placed over one another and are subsequently sewn together through a thread which, passing from one side of the fabric to the other of each panel, perfectly joins the panels to one another. The main drawback of this sewing system is that it is not possible to separate the panels unless the joining thread is cut completely. In such a way, if the two panels of fabric overall define for example a clothing garment, it is not possible to easily modify the size of the garment so as to take it in or out. Indeed, it is necessary to completely take apart the part involved, separate the two panels of fabric and sew them together again after having ar- ranged the edges in the new desired position.
Hence, the purpose of the present invention is that of proposing a process for joining panels of fabric that makes it possible to separate them without cutting the joining thread and to couple them again in a different position in a simple and fast manner.
This and other purposes are reached with a process for joining panels of fabric, the characteristics of which are defined in claim 1.
Particular embodiments are object of the dependent claims, the content of which should be intended as an integral and integrating part of the present description.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention shall become clearer from the following detailed description, given purely as an example and not for limiting purposes, with reference to the attached drawings in which:
- figure la is a perspective view of a first panel of fabric used in the process according to the present invention;
- figure lb is a perspective view of a first variant of the first panel of fabric used in the process according to the present invention;
- figure lc is a perspective view of a second variant of the first panel of fabric used in the process according to the present invention;
- figure 2 is a perspective view of a second panel of fabric used in the process according to the present invention;
- figure 3a shows the first panel of figure la on which a seam has been partially carried out;
- figure 3b shows the first panel of figure lc on which a seam has been partially carried out;
- figure 4 is a schematic view of the second panel on which a seam has been carried out;
- figure 5 is a schematic view of the panel of figure 4 in which the lower edge has been ro- tated by l80°;
- figure 6 is a top view and a plurality of section views along the lines I, II, and III of the first panel of figure la on which a seam has been carried out;
- figure 7 is a top view and a plurality of section views along the lines I, II, and III of the second panel on which a seam has been carried out;
- figure 8 is a perspective view of the two panels arranged alongside one another so as to make it possible for them to be joined;
- figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the panels of figure 8 each having the respective seam that defines a channel;
- figure 10 is a top view and a section view along the line I of the first panel and of the sec- ond panel arranged alongside one another as shown in figures 8 and 9; and
- figure 1 1 is a schematic perspective view of the panels of figure 9 joined through the joining process according to the invention.
Figure la indicates a first panel of fabric with reference numeral 1 which is folded, in a central or lateral portion thereof, folding the fabric over itself so as to form a Z obtaining in such a way a first fold 2a (or joining area) and a second fold 2b (or intermediate area) suitable for being sewn as described hereafter. The second fold 2b is thus placed over a lower edge or portion la of such a first panel 1, whereas the first fold 2a is below an upper edge or portion lb of the panel 1. At this point, a channel seam is made as described in the rest of the description.
Alternatively, on the first panel 1 it is possible to carry out a plurality of folds by simply The panels 1, 4 have edges that can be rectilinear, curvilinear, broken etc. The folds of the panels 1,4 (or the attachment seams 100 and the associated edges 104) can be rectilinear or curvilinear, parallel to the edges of the panels themselves or inclined with respect to such edges so as to form a predetermined angle.
For example, in the case in which the panels 1, 4 overall define a clothing garment like a skirt or a pair of pants, the folds are rectilinear (or curvilinear), vertical and parallel to the edges. In such a way, by carrying out a plurality of folds on the first panel 1, it is possible to obtain a multi-sized clothing garment in which each second fold 2b defines a different size in the moment in which the first panel 1 is coupled with the second panel 2.
In the case in which, on the other hand, the panels overall define a curtain element, the folds may be inclined with respect to the edges of the panels. In such a way, when the two panels are joined, curtains can be obtained in which the fabric widens, forming some flounces, from top to bottom or vice versa.
Finally in the case in which the panels 1,4 overall define a clothing garment like a female sweater, the folds may be curvilinear so as to better follow the shape of the breasts.
On each panel 1, 4 a seam is made, preferably with a sewing machine, as described here.
In figure 3a the first panel 1 of figure la is shown in which, with a sewing machine 8 having a pressure foot 10, a seam 12 has partially been made (shown more in detail in the rest of the description) by making a thread 14 pass through the fabric of the second fold 2b so as to join, astride of the second fold 2b, the lower edge la and the upper edge lb. With the seam 12 the second fold 2b is thus fixed to the lower edge la forming a channel 16 that runs along the entire panel 1 parallel to the first fold 2a, said channel 16 being delimited on one side by the first fold 2a and on the other side by the thread 14 of the seam 12.
Figure 3 b shows the first panel 1 of figure lc on which the complete channel seam 12 has been made that comprises a plurality of arcs shaped like a semi-circumference, in particular 3 repeating the folding steps described above. Figure lb shows the panel 1 in which the upper edge lb has been repeatedly folded folding the fabric over itself so as to form a Z obtaining a plurality of first folds 2a', 2a",...2a N and of second folds 2b', 2b", 2b N alongside one another.
Figure lc shows a perspective view of a second variant of the first panel 1. In this case the panel 1 comprises two distinct fabric portions, an upper portion Γ and a lower portion 1", respectively, which are partially stacked over one another. Thereafter, they are sewn together through an attachment seam 100 (or joining area) made so that at least one part 102 of the upper portion Γ (which overlaps the lower portion 1") remains free to lift with respect to the lower portion 1" and having an edge 104 (or intermediate area) suitable for being sewn as described hereafter.
Clearly, it is possible to make a plurality of attachment seams on the first panel so as to ob- tain processing similar to that deriving from the making of a plurality of folds as described above.
In figure 2 a second panel of fabric, which is indicated with reference numeral 4, is folded, in a central or lateral portion thereof, folding the fabric over itself so as to form a Z obtain- ing in such a way a firs fold 6a (or joining area) and a second fold 6b (or intermediate area) suitable for being sewn as described hereafter. The second fold 6b is thus placed over a lower edge or portion 4a of such a second panel 4, whereas the first fold 6a is below an upper edge or portion 4b. At this point, a channel seam is made as described hereafter. Subsequently, the lower edge 4a is in turn folded, in particular rotated by 180° in the direction indicated by the arrow A, so as to form a Z with the first fold 6a so as to obtain a third fold
6c.
The panels can be of any type of fabric, including leather. The panels can be joined (as described in the rest of the description) vertically, for example to take out or take in a clothing garment, or horizontally, for example to lengthen a skirt or a curtain. sewing arcs 12a and continuity arcs 12b contiguous to one another. The sewing arcs 12a are those that contribute to creating the channel 16 since they are what join, astride of the edge 104, the first portion Γ to the second portion 1" of the first panel 1. The channel 16 (shown with a broken line) runs along the entire panel 1 parallel to the attachment seam 100 and it is delimited on one side by the attachment seam 100 and on the other side by the channel seam 12.
The continuity arcs 12b are arranged exclusively on the second portion 1" of the first panel 1, they do not per se have a function in the joining process of panels of the present inven- tion and they are created since, using the sewing machine 8, it is easier to make a complete seam without interrupting it in sections. Alternatively, it is possible to make just the sewing arcs 12a and not the continuity arcs 12b, for example if the channel seam 12 is made by hand or with a per se known embroidery machine that makes a knot at the end of every sewing arc 12.
Up to now we have described just the first panel 1 as made up of two portions of fabric Γ and 1" joined together by an attachment seam 100, however, the second panel 4 could also be made in this way (as an alternative to the use of the folds above described). The two panels 1 and 4, made with the two portions of fabric joined together by the seam or with the folds, can be coupled together, to carry out the joining process described hereafter, irrespective of the way in which they were obtained.
Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the second panel 4 on which, in an analogous way as for the first panel 1, a channel seam 18 has been made using a thread 19. Such a seam 18 joins, astride of the second fold 6b, the lower edge 4a and the upper edge 4b. In such a manner, the second fold 6b is fixed to the lower edge 4a forming a channel 20 that runs along the entire panel 4 parallel to the first fold 6a, said channel 20 being delimited on one side by the first fold 6a and on the other side by the thread of the seam 18. The seam 18 comprises a plurality of arcs in the shape of a semi-circumference, in particular sewing arcs 18a and continuity arcs 18b that are contiguous with one another. The sewing arcs 18a are those that contribute towards creating the channel 20 since these are the ones that join, astride of the second fold 6b, the lower edge 4a and the upper edge 4b. The continuity arcs 18b are arranged exclusively on the lower edge 4a, they do not per se have a function in the process for joining panels according to the present invention and they are created since it is easier to make a complete seam (continuity between the arcs) without interrupting it in sections by using the sewing machine 8. Alternatively, it is possible to make just the sewing arcs 18a and not the continuity arcs 18b, for example if the channel seam 18 is made by hand or with a per se known embroidery machine that makes a knot at the end of every sewing arc 18 (the continuity between the arcs is not necessary). As can be noted in figure 4, the lower edge 4a is folded, rotating it by 180° in the direction indicated by the arrow B, forming the third fold 6c. The lower edge 4a is folded so as to allow the second panel 4 to be arranged alongside the first panel 1 , as described in the rest of the description.
Figure 5 shows the second panel 4 in which the lower edge 4a has been rotated by 180° in the direction of the arrow B and, therefore, the sewing arcs 18a are visible. Figure 6 shows a top view and a plurality of section views along the lines I, II, and III of the first panel 1 of figure la. In this figure the complete seam 12 can be seen, which comprises, as described above in reference to figure 3b, a plurality of semi-circumference- shaped arcs, in particular sewing arcs 12a and continuity arcs 12b that are contiguous to one another. The sewing arcs 12a are those that contribute towards creating the channel 16 since they are those that join, across the second fold 2b, the lower edge la and the upper edge lb. The continuity arcs 12b are exclusively arranged on the lower edge la and do not have per se a function in the process for joining panels according to the present invention.
The seams 12, 18 of the two panels 1, 4 can be made with different coloured thread so as to create an ornamental element.
The sewing arcs 12a, 18a can have a shape that is different from a semi-circumference, for example they can be shaped like a triangle or a rectangle. Moreover, each sewing arc 12a, 18a can have a continuous linear profile (i.e. being formed by a plurality of successive stitches so as to form a curved line) or a jagged profile (i.e. consisting of a plurality of subsequent stitches so as to form a broken line) or a profile with any other shape. In the section view obtained along the line I a stitch of a sewing arc 12a is shown, indicated by a wedge 22, which, in the moment in which the thread 14 is pulled so as to arrange the lower edge la and the upper edge lb alongside one another, closes the channel 16. In the section view obtained along the line II the stitch 22 is at the second fold 2a and therefore, it again closes the channel 16.
In the section view obtained along the line III such a stitch 22 is on the lower edge la, therefore, when the thread 14 is pulled, it no longer closes the channel 16 that thus remains open.
Figure 7 shows a top view and a plurality of section views along the lines I, II, and III of the second panel 4. In this figure the seam 18 can be seen formed by the sewing arcs 18a and by the continuity arcs 18b.
In the section view obtained along the line I a stitch of a sewing arc 18a is shown, indicated with a wedge 24, which, in the moment in which the thread 19 is pulled so as to arrange the lower edge 4a and the upper edge 4b alongside one another, closes the channel 20. In the section view obtained along the line II the stitch 24 is at the second fold 6b therefore, it closes the channel 20 again.
In the section view obtained along the line III such a stitch 24 is on the lower edge 4a therefore, when the thread 19 is pulled, it no longer closes the channel 20 that therefore remains open.
In the section views of figure 7 the lower panel 4a is indicated with a broken line in the position that it takes up after having been rotated by 180° in the direction of the arrow C. In figure 8 the two panels 1 , 4 are shown alongside one another so as to allow them to be joined as described in the rest of the description. The lower edge 4a of the second panel 4 is placed over the lower edge la of the first panel 1 (in this instance that of figure la) so that the second 6b and third 6c fold of the second panel 4 are arranged alongside the second fold 2b of the first panel 1.
In such a figure the seams 12, 18 are not shown so as to allow the panels 1, 4, alongside one another to be seen more clearly; however, as described above, the seams are made before being arranged alongside one another.
In the case in which on the first panel 1 a plurality of folds has been made, it is possible to arrange the second 6b and third 6c fold of the second panel 4 alongside each of the second folds 2b so as to join the two panels in different relative positions.
Preferably, the lower edge la of the first panel 1 is not folded (rotated by 180°) whereas this occurs for the lower edge 4a of the second panel 4 to avoid the formation of a slit between adjacent folds.
The folding of the lower edge 4a of the second panel is on the other hand carried out so as to allow the folds to be placed alongside one another, since, otherwise, the fabric of such a lower edge 4a would come into contact with the seam 12 of the first panel 1 (not shown in this figure) which, as described above, is close to the end of the second fold 2a of such a first panel 1. This would cause the fabric to curl which, in addition to being ugly, would prevent the process for joining panels, described in the rest of the description, from being carried out excellently. As an alternative to the folding, it is possible to partially cut such a lower edge 4a so that its end opposite the first fold 6a remains substantially aligned with the second fold 6b (in such a case, the third fold 6c would no longer be present since the lower edge 4a is no longer folded and therefore, in the moment in which the two panels 1 , 4, are placed alongside one another, only the second fold 6b of the second panel 4 is arranged alongside the second fold 2b of the first panel 1). This solution would not make it possible however, to make the continuity arcs 18b of the seam 18 since there would not be enough fabric in the lower edge 4b and, therefore, it would be necessary to make sections of seams with only the sewing arcs 18a.
In the case in which just the sewing arcs are made (by hand or with the embroidery ma- chine) the folds to be arranged alongside one another match up and it is not necessary to fold the lower edge 4a of the second panel 4 rotating it by 180°.
Figure 9 shows a schematic perspective view of the panels 1 , 4 of figure 8 each having the respective seam 12, 18. In such a figure the sewing arcs 12a, 18a are shown defining the respective channels 16 and 20.
Figure 10 shows a top view and a section view along the line I of the first panel 1 and of the second panel 4 alongside one another as shown in figures 8 and 9. The lower edge 4a of the second panel 4 is placed over the lower edge la of the first panel 1. In this figure only the sewing arcs 12a and 18a of the seams 12 and 18 can be seen since the continuity arcs 12b and 18b are hidden below the upper edges lb and 4b.
In the section view obtained along the line I the two stitches are shown respectively of a sewing arc 12a and 18a, indicated with the respective wedges 22 and 24, which, at the moment in which the respective threads 14 and 19 are pulled, so as to bring the lower edges la and 4a alongside the respective upper edges lb and 4b, close the channels 16 and 20. Figure 1 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the panels 1 , 4 arranged alongside one another as described previously and joined together through a joining thread 30. The joining thread 30 is threaded, preferably with the help of a needle 32, in an alternate and progressive manner in subsequent sections of the channels 16 and 20 of each panel 1 and 4. In the example illustrated in figure 11 the joining thread 30 is threaded in the first section of the channel 16 starting at one end 36 of the panel 1, it is made to pass along the side of the first sewing arc 12a, it is made to come out from the section of channel 16 at an end portion 12a' of the arc 12a and is threaded into a first section of the channel 20 of the second panel 4, following the first section of the previous channel 16, at an initial portion 18a' of the arc 18a.
The process is repeated preferably for the entire length of the panels and, as it goes on, each time the thread has been threaded in 3-4 successive sections of the channels 16, 20 belonging, in an alternate manner, to the two channels 16 and 20, the joining thread 30 is pulled so that it comes into contact with the sewing arcs 12a and 18a of the two panels bringing the ends 38 and 40 respectively of the second fold 2b of the first panel 1 and of the second fold 6b of the second panel 4 in contact.
Alternatively, it is possible to repeat the process only for a portion of the length of the panels. Alternatively, it is possible to pull the joining thread 30 at the end of the joining process, when the thread comes out from the last section of channel.
Subsequently, when the thread 30 has come out from the last channel 16 or 20 (in the example illustrated in figure 11 such a channel is the channel 16 of the first panel 1), the join- ing thread 30 is locked so as to prevent that, in the case in which there is traction of the two panels in opposite directions, the joining thread 30 slides back into the channels 16 or 20 causing the panels 1 and 4 to separate.
In the case in which the sewing arcs 12a, 18a are shaped like semi-circumferences, as illus- trated in the examples described here, all the stitches of the arcs 12a, 18a exert a resistance to the joining thread 30 which, when pulled, is in contact with all of them. In the case in which the arcs have different shapes, for example triangular, the thread in traction only acts upon the stitch at the vertex of the triangles making the resistance exerted by the arcs less effective.
Advantageously, the joining thread 30 is locked by either inserting the thread in an object such as for example a bead with a diameter that is greater than the width of the channel from which the thread has come out, the channel 16 in this example (so that the bead remains locked at the opening of such a channel 16), or by wrapping the thread on a clip, for example a jewel or a button, fixed to the upper edge lb or 4b of one of the two panels 1, 4, or by threading the thread 30 back again into the channels 16 and 20, for a length equal for example to 5% of the total length of the panels, starting from the other channel with respect to that from which the thread 30 came out.
In a variant of the invention it is possible to insert decorative objects such as beads on the joining thread 30. Such decorative objects are first threaded in the joining thread 30, then they are made to pass inside the channels 16, 20 when the joining thread 30 is threaded in such channels 16, 20 to join the panels 1, 4, and are finally made to progressively come out from the channels 16, 20 at the points in which the joining thread 30 passes from one section of a channel to a subsequent section of the other channel, in such a way that in each of said points there is at least a decorative object. In such a case, the decorative objects must have sizes such as to be able to pass in the channels 16, 20. Alternatively, for example if the decorative objects have dimensions that are greater than the width of the channels 16, 20, they can be threaded on the joining thread 30 progressively each time that the joining thread 30 comes out from a section of channel to be threaded into the next section of the other channel. For example, with reference to figure 1 1, when the joining thread 30 comes out from the end portion 12a' of the arc 12a, at least one decorative object is threaded on the joining thread 30 and then in turn the joining thread 30 is threaded in the next section of the channel 20 at the initial portion 18a'.
In such a manner there will be at least one decorative object at each point for passing from one channel to another and an ornamental effect will be obtained created by a line (in the case in which the folds are rectilinear) or by a curve (in the case in which the folds are curvilinear) of decorative objects.
The main advantage of the present invention is that two panels of fabric can be easily sepa- rated and coupled by simply pulling out the joining thread 30 and threading it back either in two different panels (for example with a different colour and pattern) or in the same panels but in different channels corresponding to different folds.
With the process according to the invention it is thus possible to pack pieces of clothing that can be adjusted in the anthropometric measurements or having different fabric coupling. For example, in the case of a skirt, it is possible to combine a fixed rear part with a variable front part, so as to transform the model using, smooth fabrics, fabrics with folds, with flounces, with different colours or patterns for the front part, as needed. In the case of a coat, it is possible to change the collar or the cuffs, or to lengthen the coat itself, obtaining for example a jacket or an overcoat. Another advantage of the present invention is that the seam obtained with the process illustrated above is slightly elastic and adapts to the movements of the person wearing the clothes comprising such seams. In the case of a skirt, for example, it is possible to create a garment that is close-fitting and figure-hugging, but which simultaneously, "loosens" slightly at the seams when the person is sitting or bends over. This makes it possible to ob- tain a better fitting of the garments.
Of course, without affecting the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the manufacturing details can be widely varied with respect to what has been described and illustrated purely as an example and not for limiting purposes, without for this reason departing from the invention as defined by the attached claims.