A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes
positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side
panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is
transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the
side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable
fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening
components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the
fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side
panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.