An encased wire for a garment includes a wire with first and second ends and a casing surrounding the wire. The casing includes a first fabric ribbon woven from a polyamide that resists penetration by at least one of the ends of the wire. The casing has a first edge, a second edge, and a first, stitched seam disposed adjacent to the first edge to close the casing, thereby containing the wire. The casing may be a single layer construction or a multi-layer construction. Selected regions of the casing resist penetration by the wire. Other selected regions provide increased comfort to the wearer. A sewing machine and a method of manufacture of the casing also are provided.

A brassiere (1) with at least one underwire designed to be disposed at least at the lower join zone between each breast and the trunk of a user, the brassiere (1) including two cups (2, 3) designed to cover the breasts at least in part and onto which the underwire is fastened, characterized in that it includes at least one basque (e.g., cradle), (4) disposed on brassiere (1), so as to there-with cover at least the underwiring, and designed to be interposed between at least the underwiring and the body of the user.

A brassiere (1) with at least one underwire designed to be disposed at least at the lower join zone between each breast and the trunk of a user, the brassiere (1) including two cups (2, 3) designed to cover the breasts at least in part and onto which the underwire is fastened, characterized in that it includes at least one basque (e.g., cradle), (4) disposed on brassiere (1), so as to there-with cover at least the underwiring, and designed to be interposed between at least the underwiring and the body of the user.

A garment, such as a bra, may include a frame, support structure, casing and/or housing. The frame may be adapted to fit underneath a wearer's breasts and partially wrap around her torso. The support structure be coupled to the frame and may include a volumetric cup positioned thereon, which may be a cantilever projection from the frame adapted so that a portion of a wearer's breasts may be inserted therein. The frame and/or support structure may be encased in a casing. Casing may increase the size of volumetric cup to cover a larger portion of the wearer's breast. Casing may also provide padding or other mechanisms to increase the comfort of wearing the frame, support structure, and/or casing for the wearer. The casings (one for each side of the wearer) may be housed in a housing that wraps around the wearer's torso thereby enabling the wearer to wear the garment.

A garment, such as a bra, may include a frame, support structure, casing and/or housing. The frame may be adapted to fit underneath a wearer's breasts and partially wrap around her torso. The support structure be coupled to the frame and may include a volumetric cup positioned thereon, which may be a cantilever projection from the frame adapted so that a portion of a wearer's breasts may be inserted therein. The frame and/or support structure may be encased in a casing. Casing may increase the size of volumetric cup to cover a larger portion of the wearer's breast. Casing may also provide padding or other mechanisms to increase the comfort of wearing the frame, support structure, and/or casing for the wearer. The casings (one for each side of the wearer) may be housed in a housing that wraps around the wearer's torso thereby enabling the wearer to wear the garment.

A repair device that repairs a brassiere or similar garment with an underwire that has poked through its fabric casing. The repair device accommodates various thicknesses and shapes of underwire tips and is installed inside an underwire's fabric casing. This invention also includes a single use installation apparatus that enables and facilitates the installation of the repair device by reducing friction between the repair device and the inner surfaces of an underwire's fabric casing.

A method of forming a textile element (10) for use as a structural support component in a garment is provided. The method includes providing a fabric strip (12) having a plush surface (16). A molten thermoplastic coating (14) is applied to the plush surface (16) of the fabric strip (12) so that the molten thermoplastic coating (14) penetrates the plush surface (16). The molten thermoplastic coating (14) is allowed to cool or cure and solidify so as to embed at least surface yarns of the plush surface (16) in the thermoplastic coating (14) and thereby form a composite structure at a juncture (J) between the thermoplastic coating (14) and the plush surface (16).

A method of forming a textile element (10) for use as a structural support component in a garment is provided. The method includes providing a fabric strip (12) having a plush surface (16). A molten thermoplastic coating (14) is applied to the plush surface (16) of the fabric strip (12) so that the molten thermoplastic coating (14) penetrates the plush surface (16). The molten thermoplastic coating (14) is allowed to cool or cure and solidify so as to embed at least surface yarns of the plush surface (16) in the thermoplastic coating (14) and thereby form a composite structure at a juncture (J) between the thermoplastic coating (14) and the plush surface (16).

The present disclosure provides for a body positioning apparatus. The body positioning apparatus may comprise a first strap. The body positioning apparatus may comprise a second strap. The body positioning apparatus may comprise at least one fastening mechanism. The body positioning apparatus may comprise at least one connecting element. The body positioning to apparatus may comprise at least one alignment portion. The body positioning apparatus may comprise a unified piece that comprises the first strap, the second strap, and the at least one alignment portion. The body positioning apparatus may comprise at least one intermediate material. The body positioning apparatus may comprise at least one internal material. When the body positioning apparatus comprises at least one alignment portion, the at least one alignment portion may comprise less elasticity than the first strap or the second strap, or both.

The present disclosure provides for a body positioning apparatus. The body positioning apparatus may comprise a first strap. The body positioning apparatus may comprise a second strap. The body positioning apparatus may comprise at least one fastening mechanism. The body positioning apparatus may comprise at least one connecting element. The body positioning to apparatus may comprise at least one alignment portion. The body positioning apparatus may comprise a unified piece that comprises the first strap, the second strap, and the at least one alignment portion. The body positioning apparatus may comprise at least one intermediate material. The body positioning apparatus may comprise at least one internal material. When the body positioning apparatus comprises at least one alignment portion, the at least one alignment portion may comprise less elasticity than the first strap or the second strap, or both.