Methods of Making Lace Garments, and Systems, Software and Apparatuses for Performing Same, and Garments Made Thereby

Abstract

A method of making a garment that includes forming a patterned precursor in a lace web. Depending on the nature of the garment, the patterned precursor can be a partial patterned precursor or a fully patterned precursor. When the garment includes a non-lace portion, the partial patterned precursor is joined with one or more non-lace components. When the garment is all lace, portions of the fully patterned precursor can be joined with one another to form the entire garment. A lace web containing multiple patterned precursors can be produced using a programmable lace-making machine that is programmed to create the patterned precursors in the lace web.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making a garment, comprising:
 forming a lace web that includes a patterned precursor to a garment;   separating the patterned precursor from the web to create a separated patterned precursor; and   utilizing the patterned precursor to create the garment.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said forming includes forming a fully patterned precursor;   said separating includes separating the fully patterned precursor to create a separated fully patterned precursor; and   said utilizing includes joining portions of the separated fully patterned precursor to one another so as to form the garment.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said forming includes forming a fully patterned precursor to an underwear garment, and said joining includes joining portions of the separated fully patterned precursor so as to form the underwear garment. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said forming includes forming a fully patterned precursor to a full-lace thong, and said joining includes joining portions of the separated fully patterned precursor so as to form the full-lace thong. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein said forming includes forming a fully patterned precursor having a V-shape that includes an apex and a pair of ends, said joining including joining the apex to the pair of ends. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said forming includes forming a fully patterned precursor having a pair of ends that include corresponding respective tabs, said joining including joining the apex to the tabs. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said forming includes forming a partial patterned and shaped precursor;   said separating includes separating the partial patterned and shaped precursor to create a separated partial patterned precursor; and   said utilizing includes joining portions of the separated partial patterned precursor to at least one non-lace component so as to form the garment.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said forming includes forming a partial patterned precursor to an underwear garment, and said joining includes joining portions of the separated partial patterned precursor to a non-lace component so as to form the underwear garment. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein said forming includes forming a partial patterned precursor to a lace thong, and said joining includes joining portions of the separated partial patterned precursor to a non-lace component so as to form the full-lace thong. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising forming a non-lace component that has a first apex and a first pair of ends, wherein said forming includes forming a partial patterned precursor having a second apex and a second pair of ends, said joining including joining the first and second apexes with one another and joining the first pair of ends with the second pair of ends. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the first apex and the first pair of ends are part of a first V shape and the second apex and the second pair of ends are part of a second V-shape. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said forming includes forming a lace web having a plurality of like patterned precursors, and said separating includes separating the plurality of like patterned precursors from one another. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein said forming includes forming a lace web having a plurality of like fully patterned precursors, and said separating includes separating the plurality of like fully patterned precursors from one another. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein patterned precursor has a shape and a lace pattern that is asymmetrical across the shape. 
     
     
         15 . A garment, comprising:
 a lace portion formed as a patterned precursor in a lace web, said patterned precursor shaped to contour to a portion of a wearer's body.   
     
     
         16 . A garment according to  claim 15 , wherein said lace portion forms substantially the entirety of the garment. 
     
     
         17 . A garment according to  claim 16 , wherein the garment is an undergarment. 
     
     
         18 . A garment according to  claim 17 , wherein said lace portion includes an apex and a pair of spaced ends, wherein said apex is joined to said pair of spaced ends. 
     
     
         19 . A garment according to  claim 18 , wherein said pair of spaced ends includes a corresponding respective pair of tabs, wherein said apex is joined to said pair of spaced ends. 
     
     
         20 . A garment according to  claim 15 , wherein said lace portion is joined with at least one non-lace portion. 
     
     
         21 . A garment according to  claim 20 , wherein the garment is an undergarment. 
     
     
         22 . A garment according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one non-lace garment is a piece having a first apex and a first pair of spaced ends and said lace portion has a second apex and a second pair of spaced ends, said first and second apexes being joined to one another and said first pair of spaced ends being joined to said second pair of spaced ends.