Combination Garments And Method Of Making Same

Abstract

A combination garment and method of making same wherein a pair of tubularly knit blanks each having integrally knit leg, panty and cover portions are secured together by a continuous seam or integrally formed, and the cover portions are turned outwardly and downwardly over the panty and leg portions to form outerwear garments attached to conventional innerwear garments.

Description

BACKGROUND, BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improvements in combination weft and warp knotted garments and a method of making these garments and relates more particularly to combination garments knit on conventional circular knitting machinery, either large diameter plain knit machines or that such as used to make women's seamless hosiery, and well known warp or Raschel knitting machinery.

The recent demand for panty hose, stocking-girdle combination garments and similar items formed from slitting and joining two tubular blanks with or without leg and foot portions, depending upon the nature of the garment, has been remarkable. The blanks, when joined, usually define a panty portion suitable for encompassing the upper legs and lower torso of the wearer up to and including the waist. Representative garments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,007,327; 3,020,556; 2,826,760 and 3,344,621. Other, somewhat differing garments, formed by essentially the same process are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,511,720 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,487,662.

The popularity of garments of this nature as well as the availability of large numbers of knitting machines capable of knitting garments of this description, particularly circular knitting hosiery machines, has prompted the development of a variety of combination garments having the basic panty hose or panty-girdle garment integrally connected with an outerwear garment. The result is a unitary combination inner and outerwear garment of high quality with styling and sales appeal. All of the garments produceable under the disclosed process include generally an inner garment such as a pair of tights, panty hose or the like integrally connected with an outerwear garment such as a skirt of a selected length, a pair of pants of particular design, aprons or other suitable components. The outer cover portion of the garment is preferably separated from the inner garment by an elastic zone incorporating a plurality of elastomeric yarn courses in the knitted structure or an attached elastic band either of which will form a waist-encircling elastic area to sustain the garment about the waist of the wearer and provide a definite upper edge upon which the outer garment will fold.

The present inventive concept may be extended to encompass a knitted leg and panty portion bordered along its upper edge by an elastic zone to which is integrally attached a skirt preferably of a fashionably short length. A pair of selectively knit stockings are then tapered along their upper edge and sewn directly to the lower leg edge of the portion to form a well-defined bikini panty hose in combination with a mini-skirt. Obviously, the yarn denier of the panty portion may be sufficiently large and the yarn shade sufficiently dark so that the panty portion is opaque, while the stocking portions may be constructed of a finer denier yarn to provide a sheer appearance which is presently so popular.

It is also contemplated that an attractive body stocking garment incorporating an integrally connected outer dress can be produced according to the disclosed method wherein the cover garment portion of each of the tubular blanks is followed by the initial elastic zone, then a bust-defining section, and then a second elastic zone, the bust area being defined between the elastic zones when the tubular blanks are joined together.

Many other structural variations may be made in the disclosed concept to produce a variety of combination garments such as foundation garments or hosiery supporting members, one of which includes stocking-engaging and supporting means positioned along the lower inner edge of the leg portions. Additionally, an integrally knit combination garment may be constructed with a welt of pre-selected length to form the cover portion component, i.e., the skirt, apron, reinforced panty or pants. In this style, the tubular blank is initiated by knitting a welt portion which can be sized and styled as desired.

From the foregoing, it will be obvious that a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a combination garment of either weft or warp knit construction in which a conventional panty, girdle or panty hose innerwear garment is integrally formed in combination with outerwear garments such as skirts, pants and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination garment of the type described wherein elastic zones are incorporated to provide a waistband for the garment and to define an upper border upon which the cover portion of the garment will fold to form the outerwear component.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide combination garments of the type described which may be produced on conventional large diameter circular knitting machinery, circular knitting hosiery machinery or warp knitting machinery.

A further object of the present invention is to disclose a method for producing weft and warp knit combination inner and outerwear garments with conventional circular and Raschel or warp knitting machinery.

Still another object of the present invention is to disclose a method for the production of low priced unitary inner and outerwear garments having the desirable fit characteristics of knit garments and the styling of more expensive cut and sewn articles of apparel.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent after a consideration of the following detailed specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE DESCRIPTION AND DEFINITIONS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, sectional view of a combination panty hose and skirt inner and outerwear garment made in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two tubular blanks suitable for forming a combination garment such as illustrated in FIG. 1 each of which show the leg, panty and cover portions separated by an elastic zone and the slit along which blanks are joined during the seaming operation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tubular blanks of FIG. 2 after joined, in this embodiment, by a U-shaped seam and closed at the toes to form a combination inner and outerwear garment.

FIG. 4 is a magnified view of the portion of FIG. 1 designated "A" showing a plurality of elastomeric yarn courses which are introduced to form an elastic zone or waistband of the combination garment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective, fragmentary and sectional view of the elastic zone of combination garment such as that shown in FIG. 1 wherein an elastic band is provided in the garment at the junction of the panty and cover portions.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, fragmentary and sectional view of another variation of the elastic zone forming the waist of the combination garment such as shown in FIG. 1 wherein an elastic band and plurality of elastomeric yarn courses are used in combination to provide a well-defined waist portion for the garment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective and sectional view of a combination inner and outerwear garment embodying a panty hose garment in integral relationship with a pair of pants or slacks.

FIG. 8 is a single tubular blank used to form in one embodiment, in combination with a second similar member, the garment shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a singular tubular blank such as illustrated in FIG. 8 which has been closed at the toe and turned to form a single inner and outer leg portion for the combination garment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tubular blank of FIG. 8 which has been turned downwardly at the elastic zone and slit longitudinally for attachment to a second similar member.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the slit and folded tubular blank of FIG. 10 which has been contoured slightly within the slit for better fit when the blank has been seamed along the shaped edge of the slit to a second similar blank.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the tubular blank shown in FIG. 9 suitable for use individually on the leg of a wearer.

FIG. 13 is a perspective and sectional view of a combination garment embodying a panty or girdle portion in combination with a skirt cover portion and formed according to the method incorporated in the manufacture of the garment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a single tubular blank which can be joined with a similarly knit blank to form the garment of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of two joined tubular blanks such as illustrated in FIG. 14 wherein a garment is formed having a lower girdle portion integrally connected with an outwardly turned skirt portion.

FIG. 16 is one suggested design for the outwardly and downwardly turned skirt portion incorporating particular characteristics for decorative purposes.

FIG. 17 is a perspective and sectional view of another embodiment of combination garment made according to the present disclosure wherein a body stocking innerwear garment is combined integrally with an outer extended skirt portion.

FIG. 18 is a single tubular blank used to form, in combination with a similar blank, the garment shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 18 wherein the toe of the stocking portion has been closed and the blank has been slit, contoured and folded downwardly and outwardly to form a portion of the garment illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a perspective and sectional view of a combination garment made in accordance with the present invention wherein panty and leg portions are integrally formed with a skirt portion.

FIG. 21 is a perspective, exploded view of the integrally connected panty and skirt garment of FIG. 20 associated with a pair of stockings which are selectively cut and seamed with the panty and leg portions to form a bikini panty hose garment in combination with the outerwear skirt garment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 20 which has vertical embellishments to enhance the appearance of the outerwear skirt garment.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a combination panty hose and skirt inner and outerwear garment made according to the present invention having a selectively dimensioned welt edge along the depending edge of the skirt.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of two tubular knit blanks suitable for forming the combination garment shown in FIG. 23 each having defined leg, panty and cover portions separated by an elastic zone and a vertical slit along which the blanks are joined during the seaming operation.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged, side elevational and fragmentary view of the combination garment shown in FIG. 23 illustrating the use of a small relatively diminished welt for the skirt or outer portion hem.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged, side elevational and fragmentary view of the combination garment shown in FIG. 23 wherein the welt portion has been extended to equal substantially the length of the skirt or outer portion.

FIG. 27 is a perspective and sectional view of a combination inner and outerwear garment embodying a panty hose garment integrally joined with pants wherein the pants are formed by the extended welt method disclosed herein.

FIG. 28 is a single tubular blank used to form, in combination with a second similar blank, the garment shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the slit and folded tubular blank of FIG. 28 which has been contoured slightly within the slit for better fit when joined with a second similar blank.

FIG. 30 is a greatly enlarged and schematic view of the panty and cover portion of the garment shown in FIG. 27 showing an extended welt following the elastic zone which forms the waistband of the combination garment.

FIG. 31 is a greatly enlarged schematic view of the garment shown in FIG. 27 wherein the cover portion of the garment has a reduced welt width.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a combination panty hose garment having a reinforced panty portion which is provided by the provision of a welt.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of two tubular knit blanks suitable for forming the combination garment illustrated in FIG. 32 each of which shows the leg, panty and reinforced panty portions separated by an elastic zone and the vertical slit along which the blanks are joined during the seaming operation.

FIG. 34 is an enlarged, perspective and fragmentary view of the welt development for the reinforced panty portion of the garment illustrated in FIG. 32.

As used herein, the term "welt" means any turned and secured fabric edge, fold, border or turn sewed, integrally formed or otherwise secured to fabric edge to guard, strengthen or adorn it including, but not limited to a turned edge of selective length ordinarily associated with the manufacture of women's hosiery and/or panty hose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 21, a representative item of wearing apparel incorporating the present invention includes a panty hose garment shown generally as 34 integrally joined at a first elastic zone 35 with a skirt 36 of any desirable length. The garment, in preferred form, is produced by first knitting a pair of tubular blanks 37 (FIG. 2) each having integrally knit leg 38, panty 40 and cover 42 portions wherein an elastic zone shown generally as 44 defines the junction between the panty and cover portions of each blank.

The elastic zone 44 can be of any suitable construction for subsequently establishing a waist area of the garment and, as shown in FIG. 4, may incorporate a plurality of elastomeric yarns 46 either interlaces, floated or knit in a plurality of selected yarn course. An equally satisfactory construction includes an elastic band 48 (FIG. 5) which may be sewn in the zone to form an elastic waistband portion in the finished garment when the bands of each tubular blank are joined. Obviously, a combination of elastomeric yarn courses 46 and elastic band 48 such as shown in FIG. 6 may be incorporated if desired to form a very firm waistband for the garment.

Blanks 37 may be sewn together along the edges of vertical slits 50 to form a garment having a continuous seam 52 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The garment incorporates an elastic zone 35 formed from the separate elastic zones 44 in each of the blanks 37. In order to complete the garment in preferred form, the lower end 54 is stitched or otherwise closed to define a foot portion 56 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

It will be appreciated that tubular blanks 37 may be knit from conventional circular hosiery machinery by initiating the knitting of each blank 37 with the formation of a welt 58 that will provide the skirt hem 59 in the final garment. The cover portion 42 is then knit after which the elastic zone 44 is constructed by knitting a number of courses of conventional plain knit fabric while simultaneously knitting or floating elastomeric yarn in the knitted fabric. Knitting is continued until a panty portion 40 is formed preferably of a heavier denier yarn so as to make the section opaque. After the pre-selected length of the panty section is completed, knitting continues in the leg portion 38 preferably with a finer denier yarn to provide a sheer leg covering section. The garment is terminated at the lower portion 54 in a conventional manner or by one of a number of automatic toe-closing techniques so that a foot portion 56 such as shown in FIG. 3 is developed. Thus continuous knitting of the blanks 37 is possible at relatively high speeds to form components for inner and outerwear combination garments at a cost and production level heretofore unattainable by conventional cut-and-sew operations.

A number of alternative embodiments of combination inner and outerwear garments may be made according to the method disclosed above, one of which includes a combination panty hose and pants item of apparel shown generally as 60 (FIG. 7) wherein two tubular blanks such as designated generally as 62 and illustrated in FIG. 8 are formed, slit and joined about the edges of the slits 63 to complete the garment 60. Note that bell-bottomed pant legs 64 can be achieved by the use of conventional graduating or tapering capabilities on hosiery circular knitting machinery.

Construction of the garment is substantially the same as illustrated in the earlier embodiment wherein the slit 63 of each blank is enlarged or tapered (FIG. 11) is necessary and defines a path 65 for seaming two such blanks together to fabricate the finished garment 60. The toe-closing operation, as previously discussed, can be automatically accomplished by the knitting mechanism or can be effected by a manual cut-and-sew operation.

An abbreviated version of the leg portion of the garment 60 is illustrated in FIG. 12 and designated 66. These are preferably used as fashionable leg-covering garments for skirts and pants of somewhat extended length.

Another combination garment embodiment shown FIG. 13 generally as 67 includes a stocking-supporting girdle or panty garment 68 in combination with a skirt 70 separated by an elastic zone 72 forming the garment's waist portion, and the girdle may incorporate stocking-supporting areas 74 having frictional or gripping means or conventional snaps, garters or other hardware. Construction of the garment is similar to previous embodiments in that the edges of a slit 76 in the tubular blanks are secured in a well known manner.

Note that a great variation of skirt designs for garment 67 may be produced because of the patterning capabilities of the machinery involved, and one such skirt design variation is shown in FIG. 16 and noted as 80.

Yet another embodiment of a combination garment incorporating the present invention is shown generally as 82 in FIG. 17 and comprises a skirt 84 of any suitable or desired length in combination with a panty hose garment or tights 85 having closed foot portions 86. FIG. 18 illustrates a knitted tubular blank 87 which may be joined with a similar blank to form the garment 82 having a hem 88 (knit like the welt of a stocking) followed by a selected length of skirt 90. The skirt length terminates at an initial or first elastic zone 92 later to become, in the finished garment, the upper garment edge corresponding to the waistband portion in other embodiments. Zone 92 is followed by a bust-defining portion 94 which might be plain and loosely knit, reciprocated or altered in any conventional manner in the knitting machine to make available excess fabric for the breast cups. A second elastic zone 96 isolates the bust-defining portion 94 from the panty portion 98 which is, like the earlier embodiment described, normally knit of a heavier denier yarn. The leg portion 100 is, of course, knit of lighter denier yarns to provide sheerness in the stocking portion of the finished garment.

Either before or after the tubular member 87 has been provided with a closed toe 102 as in FIG. 19, it may be combined with a similarly knit blank by joining the corresponding edges (with or without a gusset) of each of the slits 103 to form the garment 82. The result of this joining operation will be readily suggested by FIG. 19 wherein the skirt portion 90 has been formed with the cover portion or garment turned outwardly and downwardly thereover along the first elastic zone 92.

Still another embodiment of a combination garment incorporating the present inventive concept is illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 wherein a panty portion 104 is integrally joined with a skirt 106 to form a combination garment having an elastic zone 108 which defines the garment's waist portion. The knitting sequence in each tubular blank includes first forming the skirt hem 110 (like a stocking welt), then knitting the skirt 106, then knitting the waist portion with or without a plurality of elastomeric yarn courses 114, then knitting the panty portion 104 to a desired length and tapering by a cut-and-sew operation upwardly to form a defined panty and leg portion.

The combination garment including the panty portion 104 and the skirt 106 can provide a useful and functional garment in and of itself. However, an even more desirable garment may be produced by joining a pair of stockings 120 whose upper edges 122 have been cut in the requisite taper to match the leg portions 118 of the panty 104. Obviously, the panty may be of a heavier denier to provide an opaque fabric and the stockings of a much lesser denier to provide a sheer fabric having transparent characteristics. This combination is suitable yarn, color and the like will provide a complete garment which will make it unnecessary for the wearer to utilize other inner garments in combination therewith.

Obviously a variety of skirt designs (FIG. 22) can be utilized in this garment as well as those heretofore described and such is contemplated as being within the scope of the present inventive concept.

The basic principles disclosed for constructing combination inner and outerwear garments set forth herein are broadly applicable to a number of related garments having varying components or additional elements. For example, FIGS. 23, 24 and 25 represent a minor variation of the garment disclosed in FIG. 1 having a somewhat shorter skirt portion 122 and complementing heavier opaque areas 124 in the tubular blanks 126 that eventually form the panty portion 128. The provision of a hem 130 is accomplished by knitting on the machine the simulated hosiery welt which can be controlled to produce a double ply fabric 132 of a desired dimension.

To extend this concept to a combination garment having somewhat more body in the skirt portion, the welt can be produced to extend throughout substantially the entire length of the skirt as shown in FIG. 26 and designated generally as 134 and form a double ply fabric 136.

The controlled welt concept can be extended to the fabrication of a combination panty hose-pants garment like that shown in FIG. 27 and designated generally as 138. A tubular blank 140 is knit, folded and slit as shown in FIG. 29, and during the knitting operation the leg cover portions can be made with a double ply of fabric throughout with any selected length by the controlled formation of the welt 144 as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. Doubling the fabric in this cover portion can produce a more substantial and natural appearing garment which could, if required, be separately processed by a permanent press technique to provide creases if desired.

A further embodiment is directed to a combination inner and outerwear garment 146 having a two-ply panty portion 148 constructed by using the controlled welt technique. Makeup is commenced along line 150 of each tubular blank 152, and a relatively heavy denier colored textured or stretch yarn of, for example, 40 denier 13 filament, may be used to form a panty portion 148. The waist portion 154 of the final garment is formed by the provision of an elastic zone 156 in each of the tubular blanks 152 as has been previously described wherein elastomeric yarns 158 are floated, knitted or otherwise inserted therein. Knitting then continues with a lighter denier yarn, for example 15 denier 7 filament, in preferably an open lace stitch configuration to accentuate the defined panty there beneath formed from the colored heavier denier yarn. While an open lace type fabric will best disclose the underlying defined panty, obviously any sheer knit structure will, to some extent, accomplish the same result. Knitting of this outer portion of the two-ply fabric continues until the makeup line 150 is again reached and the welt-like structure completed. The legs 160 are then knit in a conventional manner, and the tubular blanks joined to form the garment 146 as shown in FIG. 32.

A further embodiment well within the patterning capabilities of conventional hosiery knitting machinery includes the incorporation of a stepped and trend panty portion following the makeup along line 150 as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,932 After the panty portion is completed, the elastic zone is constructed as heretofore discussed and followed by knitting of plain knit structure exactly like that forming the leg portions to follow. Plain knitting continues until makeup line 150 is reached and the simulated welt terminated. Knitting of the leg portion of the same structure is thus continued.

While the foregoing disclosure has been based primarily on fabrication by conventional circular knitting machinery, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the various combination garments described can be constructed on conventional Raschel or warp-knitting machinery wherein the produced warp knit fabric can be cut and sewn as desired. The relatively recent developments for producing sheer one-piece panty hose garments on Raschel or warp-knitting machinery are also adaptable to garments like those described herein wherein a one-piece panty hose garment is integrally combined with a one-piece outerwear garment such as a skirt, pants or the like. In most cases, orientation of the garment on the Raschel or warp-knit machine can be either lengthwise or widthwise. Construction of the garments disclosed are best accomplished on a warp-knit machine having five guide bars in conjunction with a pair of conventional needle bars. Fabric diagrams of suitable warp-knit fabric with and without elastomeric yarn inserted are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,077,758 and 3,429,147, and it will be appreciated that conventional warp knitting may be used by those skilled in the art to produce the garments disclosed or any modification thereof.

Thus, there have been described various combinations of inner and outerwear garments and methods for producing garments of this construction wherein panty hose, girdles, tights and the like are combined with skirts, pants and other garments of differing styles by continuously knitting these basic components. While the garments and methods for producing same described herein represent the preferred form of the present invention, it will be understood that the foregoing disclosure is illustrative only, and that changes in each of the garments disclosed and each of the steps of the process for manufacturing same may be made without departing from the spirit and purpose of this concept.

Claims

I claim:

1. A combination inner and outerwear garment comprising: a pair of knit blanks, each having integrally knit lower leg, intermediate panty and upper cover portions, said panty portions being longitudinally slit intermediate the front and rear thereof for a major part of their length, said cover portions being longitudinally slit at least a distance corresponding to that in said panty portions, said slits being longitudinally aligned and connected at the juncture of said panty and cover portions; means securing said panty and cover portions respectively of each blank together along the slits thereof each opened and facing toward the other to form a garment having a defined panty and cover portion therefor, said cover portion being outwardly and downwardly turned at least partially over said panty and leg portions.

2. A garment as claimed in claim 1, said securing means including continuous seaming means extending substantially through said panty and cover portions of said joined pair.

3. A garment as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: an elastic zone separating said panty and cover portions of each of said blanks and defining a waist portion of the garment formed when said blanks are joined.

4. A garment as claimed in claim 3, said zone including a plurality of elastomeric yarn courses.

5. A garment as claimed in claim 3, said zone including an elastic band.

6. A garment as claimed in claim 1, said outer cover garment formed by joining said cover portions by a continuous U-shaped seam and comprising a skirt extending downwardly and outwardly at least over said joined panty portions.

7. A garment as claimed in claim 1, said outer cover garment comprising a pair of slacks extending downwardly and outwardly over said joined panty portions and substantially over said leg portions wherein a continuous U-shaped seam joins said blanks after said cover portions of each of said blanks have been turned outwardly and downwardly over at least said panty.

8. A garment as claimed in claim 3, said panty portion having an upper portion extending above the bust of the wearer comprising a bust-defining portion and said bust-defining portion having bust-isolating means below the bust.

9. A garment as claimed in claim 8, said bust-defining portion having a second elastic zone spaced from and substantially parallel to said first elastic zone.

10. A garment as claimed in claim 1, said leg portions comprising a pair of tights having foot and leg portions.

11. A garment as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an elastic zone separating said panty and cover portions of each of said blanks and defining a waist portion of the garment formed when said blanks are joined, said portions being knit of stretchable yarn.

12. A garment as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pair of stocking blanks each having integrally knit foot and leg portions and connected to said panty garment to define a panty hose garment.

13. A garment as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an elastic zone separating said panty and cover portions of each of said blanks and defining a waist portion of the garment formed when said blanks are joined, said outer cover garment formed from said cover portions comprising a skirt extending downwardly and outwardly at least over said joined panty portions.

14. A garment as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an elastic zone separating said panty and cover portions of each of said blanks and defining a waist portion of the garment formed when said blanks are joined, said outer cover garment comprising a pair of slacks extending downwardly and outwardly over said joined panty portions substantially over said leg portions.

15. A garment as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an elastic zone separating said panty and cover portions of each of said blanks and defining a waist portion of the garment formed when said blanks are joined, said panty portion having an upper portion extending above the bust of the wearer comprising a bust-defining portion and said bust-defining portion having bust-isolating means therein below the bust.

16. A garment as claimed in claim 13, said leg portions comprising a pair of tights having foot and leg portions.

17. A garment as claimed in claim 14, said leg portions comprising a pair of tights having foot and leg portions.

18. The method of making a combination leg, panty, and cover garment comprising the steps of: knitting a pair of blanks having integral lower leg, intermediate panty and upper cover portions; longitudinally slitting the panty portion of each blank intermediate the front and rear thereof for a major part of their length, longitudinally slitting the cover portion of each blank a distance at least corresponding to that in said panty portion, said slits being longitudinally aligned and connected at the juncture of said panty and cover portions securing the panty and cover portions respectively of the blanks together along the slits thereof each opened and facing toward the other to form a combination garment having a defined panty and outer cover; and folding the joined outer cover portions outwardly and downwardly over the panty and leg portions.

19. The method of making a garment as claimed in claim 18 where a first elastic zone is introduced at the junction of the panty and cover portions.

20. The method of making a garment as claimed in claim 19 wherein the blanks are secured together by a continuous seam.

21. The method of making a garment as claimed in claim 20 wherein the folded cover portions comprise a skirt.

22. The method of making a garment as claimed in claim 23 wherein the cover portions comprise a pair of slacks.

23. A garment as claimed in claim 1, said cover portion having a turned edge to form a hem.

24. A garment as claimed in claim 1, said cover portion including a double ply fabric.

25. A garment as claimed in claim 28, said double ply cover portion formed by knitting an extended turned edge to said panty portion.

26. A garment as claimed in claim 7, said pair of slacks formed of a double ply fabric.

27. A garment as claimed in claim 26, said double ply pair of slacks formed by knitting an extended turned edge communicating with said panty portion.

28. A garment as claimed in claim 1, said panty portion including a colored bikini-shaped panty and said cover portion including a single fabric ply from said panty portion, said panty portion and said cover portion formed by knitting an extended turned edge communicating with said leg portions.

29. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the cover portions of the blank are turned to form a double ply fabric.

30. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein at least a part of the cover portions of the blanks are turned to form a double ply fabric.

31. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the panty portions are knit with colored yarn to include a bikini-shaped panty and the cover portions are knit to communicate with the leg portions.